Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 27, 2005

 


 

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   1-8590   71-0361522
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

200 Peach Street P.O. Box 7000, El Dorado, Arkansas   71731-7000
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 870-862-6411

 

Not applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, “Results of Operations and Financial Condition.”

 

On April 27, 2005, Murphy Oil Corporation issued a press release announcing its earnings for the first quarter that ended on March 31, 2005. The full text of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

  (c) Exhibits

 

99.1    A news release dated April 27, 2005 announcing earnings for the first quarter that ended on March 31, 2005 is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.


Signature

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ John W. Eckart


    John W. Eckart
    Controller

 

Date: April 27, 2005

 

 


Exhibit Index

 

  99.1 Press release dated April 27, 2005, as issued by Murphy Oil Corporation.

 

 

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

MURPHY OIL ANNOUNCES EARNINGS

 

EL DORADO, Arkansas, April 27, 2005 – Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) announced today that net income in the first quarter of 2005 was $113.2 million ($1.20 per diluted share) compared to net income of $98.2 million ($1.05 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2004. Net income in the prior year’s first quarter included income from discontinued operations of $17.5 million ($.19 per share) related to results of certain conventional oil and gas properties in Western Canada that were sold in the second quarter of last year. First quarter income from continuing operations was $113.2 million ($1.20 per share) in 2005 and $80.7 million ($.86 per share) in 2004. The improvement in 2005 results was mostly attributable to higher exploration and production earnings and lower net corporate costs.

 

Murphy’s income from continuing exploration and production operations was $124.9 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $101.2 million in the same quarter of 2004. Higher realized sales prices for crude oil and natural gas and higher crude oil sales volumes were the primary reasons for improved earnings. Partially offsetting the improvements in prices and volumes were higher exploration expenses, which increased from $49.1 million in the 2004 period to $70.3 million in 2005. The increase in exploration expense in 2005 was primarily caused by two dry holes in the Republic of Congo following a discovery at the Azurite Marine #1 well in January 2005. In the United States, higher exploration costs for 3-D seismic and leasehold amortization was mostly offset by lower deepwater Gulf of Mexico dry holes costs. The first quarter of 2004 included a $15.4 million after-tax gain on disposal of the Simsboro and Sligo onshore natural gas properties in the United States. The Company’s worldwide crude oil and condensate sales prices averaged $39.90 per barrel for the current quarter compared to $30.95 per barrel in the first quarter of 2004. Total crude oil and gas liquids production from continuing operations was 108,738 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 95,128 barrels per day in the 2004 quarter. The 14% increase in crude oil volumes in the 2005 period was mostly attributable to higher production from the Medusa and Front Runner fields in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The Company recommenced sales of its current oil production from Block 16 in Ecuador in the first quarter 2005, but has thus far achieved no settlement with the other owners related to the Company’s entitlement of approximately 1.5 million barrels


withheld by the operator in 2004 during a dispute over Murphy’s new transportation and marketing arrangement. North American natural gas sales prices averaged $6.71 per thousand cubic feet (MCF) in the most recent quarter compared to $5.88 per MCF in the same quarter of 2004. Natural gas sales volumes from continuing operations of 112 million cubic feet per day in the first quarter of 2005 were down from 124 million cubic feet per day in the 2004 period, primarily due to Viosca Knoll Block 783 production in the Gulf of Mexico being offline much of the just completed quarter following damages incurred in 2004 from Hurricane Ivan.

 

Murphy’s refining and marketing operations incurred a loss of $5.5 million in the 2005 quarter compared to a loss of $6.4 million in the 2004 quarter. The Company’s North American operations lost $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2005 and $10.5 million in the 2004 period. The smaller loss was primarily due to better performance and margins at the Meraux refinery. However, margins for the Company’s U.S. retail gasoline system were lower and were hurt by rising wholesale gasoline prices during much of the current period. Refining and marketing operations in the U.K. earned $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2005, down from a $4.1 million profit in the same quarter of 2004, with the weaker results based on operating margins that also were squeezed by higher crude prices during the 2005 period.

 

Corporate functions reflected a loss of $6.2 million in the 2005 quarter compared to a loss of $14.1 million in the first quarter 2004. The 2005 period included higher interest income related to a settlement of U.S. tax matters, higher gains on foreign exchange, and lower net interest expense due to a combination of less outstanding debt and higher interest capitalized on development projects. These favorable variances were partially offset by more administrative costs, primarily for stock-based compensation associated with a higher Company-share price in the 2005 period.

 

Claiborne P. Deming, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The Company’s financial results continue to benefit from strong oil and gas prices that have carried over into the second quarter. Our exploration drilling program in Malaysia in the second quarter includes wildcats in Block SK 311 in shallow water and Block K in deepwater. Drilling in the Republic of Congo will recommence in the third quarter when the rig again becomes available. Production and sales volumes are expected to average about 126,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the second quarter. Thus far in April, we have realized much stronger U.S. downstream margins, so we are optimistic that this will lead to better overall results in our downstream business for the full second quarter. We


currently expect earnings in the second quarter to be between $1.80 and $2.00 per share. Results could vary based on commodity prices, drilling results, timing of oil sales, and refining and marketing margins.”

 

The public is invited to access the Company’s conference call to discuss first quarter 2005 results on Thursday, April 28, at 12:00 p.m. CDT either via the Internet through the Investor Relations section of Murphy’s website at http://www.murphyoilcorp.com/ir or via the telephone by dialing 1-800-218-4007. The telephone reservation number for the call is 11028320. Replays of the call will be available through the same address on the Murphy website, and a recording of the call will be available through May 2 at 1-800-405-2236.

 

Summary financial data and operating statistics for the first quarter 2005 with comparisons to 2004 are contained in the attached tables.

 

The forward-looking statements reflected in this release are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. No assurance can be given that the results discussed herein will be attained, and certain important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially are contained in Murphy’s January 15, 1997 Form 8-K report on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

####


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

FUNCTIONAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2005


    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2004


 
      Revenues 

     Income 

     Revenues 

     Income 

 

Exploration and production

                          

United States

   $ 182.7     61.9     131.3     36.5  

Canada

     155.6     55.4     142.5     53.6  

United Kingdom

     40.3     17.0     38.4     13.8  

Ecuador

     20.3     5.2     16.4     2.9  

Malaysia

     62.1     9.7     25.6     (4.0 )

Other

     .9     (24.3 )   1.0     (1.6 )
    


 

 

 

       461.9     124.9     355.2     101.2  
    


 

 

 

Refining and marketing

                          

North America

     1,758.4     (8.3 )   1,187.8     (10.5 )

United Kingdom

     195.0     2.8     132.8     4.1  
    


 

 

 

       1,953.4     (5.5 )   1,320.6     (6.4 )
    


 

 

 

       2,415.3     119.4     1,675.8     94.8  

Intersegment transfers elimination

     (11.0 )   —       (18.4 )   —    
    


 

 

 

       2,404.3     119.4     1,657.4     94.8  

Corporate

     10.6     (6.2 )   2.3     (14.1 )
    


 

 

 

Revenues/income from continuing operations

     2,414.9     113.2     1,659.7     80.7  

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —       —       —       17.5  
    


 

 

 

Total revenues/net income

   $ 2,414.9     113.2     1,659.7     98.2  
    


 

 

 


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

CONTINUING OIL AND GAS OPERATING RESULTS (Unaudited)

 

(Millions of dollars)


   United
States


   Canada

   United
Kingdom


   Ecuador

   Malaysia

    Other

    Synthetic
Oil –
Canada


   Total

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005


                     

Oil and gas sales and other operating revenues

   $ 182.7    118.8    40.3    20.3    62.1     .9     36.8    461.9

Production expenses

     24.0    13.9    3.7    5.7    6.8     —       20.6    74.7

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     26.3    31.8    5.9    4.5    12.3     —       2.9    83.7

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     1.1    .8    .4    —      .1     .1     .1    2.6

Exploration expenses

                                           

Dry holes

     15.6    —      —      —      15.0     20.7     —      51.3

Geological and geophysical

     8.1    .3    —      —      1.6     —       —      10.0

Other

     .7    .1    .1    —      —       1.1     —      2.0
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  
       24.4    .4    .1    —      16.6     21.8     —      63.3

Undeveloped lease amortization

     5.8    .8    —      —      —       .4     —      7.0
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Total exploration expenses

     30.2    1.2    .1    —      16.6     22.2     —      70.3
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Selling and general expenses

     4.2    2.3    .9    .1    2.1     2.6     .2    12.4

Income tax expenses

     35.0    22.2    12.3    4.8    14.5     .3     4.2    93.3
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Results of operations (excluding corporate overhead and interest)

   $ 61.9    46.6    17.0    5.2    9.7     (24.3 )   8.8    124.9
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2004


                                         

Oil and gas sales and other operating revenues

   $ 131.3    103.1    38.4    16.4    25.6     1.0     39.4    355.2

Production expenses

     17.9    9.2    6.4    7.9    2.7     —       19.7    63.8

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     16.9    25.9    7.3    2.9    5.3     —       2.7    61.0

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     .9    .7    .7    —      .1     .1     .1    2.6

Exploration expenses

                                           

Dry holes

     28.6    —      —      —      13.4     .1     —      42.1

Geological and geophysical

     1.3    .7    —      —      .1     .2     —      2.3

Other

     .4    .2    .1    —      —       .1     —      .8
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  
       30.3    .9    .1    —      13.5     .4     —      45.2

Undeveloped lease amortization

     3.3    .6    —      —      —       —       —      3.9
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Total exploration expenses

     33.6    1.5    .1    —      13.5     .4     —      49.1
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Selling and general expenses

     5.8    2.4    .8    .1    1.3     2.2     .2    12.8

Income tax expenses (benefits)

     19.7    20.9    9.3    2.6    6.7     (.1 )   5.6    64.7
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  

Results of operations (excluding corporate overhead and interest)

   $ 36.5    42.5    13.8    2.9    (4.0 )   (1.6 )   11.1    101.2
    

  
  
  
  

 

 
  


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004*

 

Revenues

   $ 2,414,872     1,659,694  
    


 

Costs and expenses

              

Crude oil and product purchases

     1,789,544     1,178,887  

Operating expenses

     203,643     168,410  

Exploration expenses

     70,295     49,149  

Selling and general expenses

     36,305     30,681  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     104,754     80,196  

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     2,639     2,507  

Interest expense

     12,036     14,288  

Interest capitalized

     (7,567 )   (4,252 )
    


 

       2,211,649     1,519,866  
    


 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     203,223     139,828  

Income tax expense

     90,070     59,132  
    


 

Income from continuing operations

     113,153     80,696  

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —       17,543  
    


 

Net income

   $ 113,153     98,239  
    


 

Per Common share – Basic

              

Continuing operations

   $ 1.23     .88  

Discontinued operations

     —       .19  
    


 

Net income

   $ 1.23     1.07  
    


 

Per Common share – Diluted

              

Continuing operations

   $ 1.20     .86  

Discontinued operations

     —       .19  
    


 

Net income

   $ 1.20     1.05  
    


 

Cash dividends per Common share

   $ .225     .20  

Average Common shares outstanding (thousands)

              

Basic

     92,124     91,926  

Diluted

     93,903     93,173  

* Reclassified to conform to 2005 presentation.


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(Thousands of dollars)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Operating Activities

              

Income from continuing operations

   $ 113,153     80,696  

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities

              

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     104,754     80,196  

Provisions for major repairs

     7,164     7,612  

Expenditures for major repairs and asset retirement obligations

     (10,095 )   (6,358 )

Dry holes

     51,282     42,104  

Amortization of undeveloped leases

     6,982     3,907  

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     2,639     2,507  

Deferred and noncurrent income tax charges

     119     8,787  

Pretax gains from disposition of assets

     (311 )   (29,207 )

Net (increase) decrease in operating working capital other than cash and cash equivalents

     (57,296 )   75,243  

Other

     (11,769 )   205  
    


 

Net cash provided by continuing operations

     206,622     265,692  

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

     —       40,183  
    


 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     206,622     305,875  
    


 

Investing Activities

              

Property additions and dry holes

     (259,328 )   (195,516 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     583     37,140  

Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities

     17,892     —    

Other – net

     (276 )   (893 )

Investing activities of discontinued operations

     —       (15,837 )
    


 

Net cash required by investing activities

     (241,129 )   (175,106 )
    


 

Financing Activities

              

Decrease in notes payable

     (9,640 )   (60,534 )

Decrease in nonrecourse debt of a subsidiary

     —       (7,879 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plans

     337     926  

Cash dividends paid

     (20,748 )   (18,394 )
    


 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (30,051 )   (85,881 )
    


 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (7,103 )   73  
    


 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (71,661 )   44,961  

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

     535,525     252,425  
    


 

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31

   $ 463,864     297,386  
    


 


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA

(Unaudited, except for December 31, 2004)

(Millions of dollars)

 

     March 31,
2005


   Dec. 31,
2004


Total assets

   $ 5,488,740    5,458,243

Total current assets

     1,568,835    1,629,363

Total current liabilities

     1,167,051    1,204,991

Long-term debt

           

Notes payable

     597,776    597,735

Nonrecourse debt

     15,485    15,620

Stockholders’ equity

     2,728,557    2,649,156
     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2005

   2004

Capital expenditures

           

Exploration and production

           

United States

   $ 60.1    59.4

Canada

     54.4    54.5

Malaysia

     81.8    45.3

Other international

     39.7    5.1
    

  
       236.0    164.3
    

  

Refining and marketing

           

North America

     32.6    32.3

International

     1.5    1.8
    

  
       34.1    34.1
    

  

Corporate

     1.3    .3
    

  

Total capital expenditures

     271.4    198.7
    

  

Charged to exploration expenses*

           

United States

     24.4    30.3

Canada

     .4    .9

Malaysia

     16.6    13.5

Other international

     21.9    .5
    

  

Total charged to exploration expenses

     63.3    45.2
    

  

Total capitalized

   $ 208.1    153.5
    

  

*Excludes amortization of undeveloped leases of $7.0 million in 2005 and $3.9 million in 2004.


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

STATISTICAL SUMMARY

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2005

   2004

Net crude oil, condensate and gas liquids produced – barrels per day

   108,738    102,426

Continuing operations

   108,738    95,128

Crude oil and condensate

         

United States

   32,596    18,608

Canada – light

   182    228

             – heavy

   10,953    4,381

             – offshore

   25,003    28,879

             – synthetic

   7,795    12,527

United Kingdom

   8,659    11,570

Ecuador

   7,644    7,805

Malaysia

   15,181    10,420

Natural gas liquids

         

United States

   220    97

Canada

   462    503

United Kingdom

   43    110

Discontinued operations

   —      7,298

Net crude oil, condensate and gas liquids sold – barrels per day

   108,894    101,478

Continuing operations

   108,894    94,180

Crude oil and condensate

         

United States

   32,596    18,608

Canada – light

   182    228

             – heavy

   10,953    4,381

             – offshore

   24,145    30,486

             – synthetic

   7,795    12,527

United Kingdom

   8,225    11,573

Ecuador

   8,441    7,625

Malaysia

   15,875    8,045

Natural gas liquids

         

United States

   220    97

Canada

   462    503

United Kingdom

   —      107

Discontinued operations

   —      7,298

Net natural gas sold – thousands of cubic feet per day

   112,502    212,555

Continuing operations

   112,502    124,160

United States

   90,798    98,515

Canada

   11,851    14,564

United Kingdom

   9,853    11,081

Discontinued operations

   —      88,395

Total net hydrocarbons produced – equivalent barrels per day1,2

   127,488    115,821

Total net hydrocarbons sold – equivalent barrels per day1,2

   127,644    114,873

1Natural gas converted on an energy equivalent basis of 6:1.

 

2Continuing operations only.


MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

STATISTICAL SUMMARY (Continued)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2005

   2004

Weighted average sales prices

           

Crude oil and condensate – dollars per barrel (1)

           

United States

   $ 42.35    31.77

Canada (2) – light

     46.92    33.59

                   – heavy

     14.68    16.63

                   – offshore

     43.61    31.54

                   – synthetic

     52.48    34.56

United Kingdom

     47.72    31.61

Ecuador

     26.77    23.68

Malaysia

     43.31    34.82

Natural gas liquids – dollars per barrel (1)

           

United States

   $ 31.92    27.36

Canada (2)

     36.55    28.43

United Kingdom

     —      25.86

Natural gas – dollars per thousand cubic feet

           

United States (1)

   $ 6.79    5.97

Canada (2)

     6.10    5.29

United Kingdom (2)

     5.48    4.72

Refinery inputs – barrels per day

     182,304    170,888

North America

     143,742    135,035

United Kingdom

     38,562    35,853

Petroleum products sold – barrels per day

     357,044    301,718

North America

     318,410    266,630

Gasoline

     210,838    183,480

Kerosine

     10,874    8,307

Diesel and home heating oils

     68,630    58,522

Residuals

     23,194    13,076

Asphalt, LPG and other

     4,874    3,245

United Kingdom

     38,634    35,088

Gasoline

     10,436    12,472

Kerosine

     2,833    3,294

Diesel and home heating oils

     17,509    12,944

Residuals

     4,332    4,142

LPG and other

     3,524    2,236

(1) Includes intracompany transfers at market prices.

 

(2) U.S. dollar equivalent.