MURPHY OIL CORP - Annual Report: 2015 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

Commission file number 1-8590

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  ☒   No  ☐ 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  ☐   No  ☒ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ☒   No  ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ☒   No  ☐ 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  ☐   No  ☒ 

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (as of June 30, 2015) – $7,181,298,229.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value, outstanding at January 31, 2016 was 172,034,472.

Documents incorporated by reference:

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 have been incorporated by reference in Part III herein.

 

 

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MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS – 2015 FORM 10-K

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

 

Summary

 

Murphy Oil Corporation is a worldwide oil and gas exploration and production company.  As used in this report, the terms Murphy, Murphy Oil, we, our, its and Company may refer to Murphy Oil Corporation or any one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The Company was originally incorporated in Louisiana in 1950 as Murphy Corporation.  It was reincorporated in Delaware in 1964, at which time it adopted the name Murphy Oil Corporation, and was reorganized in 1983 to operate primarily as a holding company of its various businesses.  For reporting purposes, Murphy’s exploration and production activities are subdivided into four geographic segments, including the United States, Canada, Malaysia and all other countries.  Additionally, “Corporate” activities include interest income, interest expense, foreign exchange effects and administrative costs not allocated to the segments.  The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in El Dorado, Arkansas.

 

The Company has transitioned from an integrated oil company to an enterprise entirely focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities.  The Company completed the sale of the remaining downstream assets in the United Kingdom (U.K.) in the second quarter of 2015 after selling its U.K. retail marketing assets during 2014.

 

At December 31, 2015, Murphy had 1,258 employees. 

 

In addition to the following information about each business activity, data about Murphy’s operations, properties and business segments, including revenues by class of products and financial information by geographic area, are provided on pages 24 through 44, F-16 thru F-18,  F-49 through F-60 and F-62 of this Form 10-K report.

 

Interested parties may obtain the Company’s public disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K and other documents, by accessing the Investor Relations section of Murphy Oil Corporation’s Web site at www.murphyoilcorp.com.

 

Exploration and Production

 

The Company’s exploration and production business explores for and produces crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids worldwide.  The Company’s exploration and production management team directs the Company’s worldwide exploration and production activities.  This business maintains upstream operating offices in other locations around the world, with the most significant of these including Houston, Texas, Calgary, Alberta and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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During 2015, Murphy’s principal exploration and production activities were conducted in the United States by wholly owned Murphy Exploration & Production Company – USA (Murphy Expro USA), in Malaysia, Australia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Namibia by wholly owned Murphy Exploration & Production Company – International (Murphy Expro International) and its subsidiaries, and in Western Canada and offshore Eastern Canada by wholly-owned Murphy Oil Company Ltd. (MOCL) and its subsidiaries.  Murphy’s hydrocarbon production in 2015 was in the United States, Canada and Malaysia.  MOCL owns a 5% undivided interest in Syncrude Canada Ltd. in northern Alberta.  In December 2014 the Company sold 20% of its interests in Malaysia; a further sale of an additional 10% of its interests in Malaysia was completed in January 2015.  Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the Company’s oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production volumes and proved crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves are net to the Company’s working interest excluding applicable royalties.  Also, unless otherwise indicated, references to oil throughout this document could include crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids where applicable volumes includes a combination of these products.

 

Murphy’s worldwide crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids production in 2015 averaged 136,634 barrels per day, a decrease of 10% compared to 2014.  As described above, the Company sold 30% of its working interest in Malaysia in late 2014 and early 2015.  Production for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015 increased 10% compared to the 2014 period as adjusted for the sale in Malaysia.  The increase in 2015 when adjusted for the sale was primarily due to higher crude oil and natural gas liquids production in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas.  The Company’s worldwide sales volume of natural gas averaged 428 million cubic feet (MMCF) per day in 2015, down 4% from 2014 levels.  Production for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015 increased 11% compared to the 2014 period as adjusted for the Malaysia sale.  The increase in natural gas sales volume in 2015 when adjusted for the sale was primarily attributable to higher gas production volumes in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas and Tupper area in Western Canada.   Growth in oil and gas production volumes occurred due to further development drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale and Tupper area.  Total worldwide 2015 production on a barrel of oil equivalent basis (six thousand cubic feet of natural gas equals one barrel of oil) was 207,903 barrels per day, a decrease of 8% compared to 2014, but when adjusted for the sale in Malaysia increased 4% compared to the 2014.  If the combined sale of 30% interest in Malaysia had occurred on January 1, 2014, total pro forma daily oil and natural gas production volumes would have been approximately 135,100 barrels and 386 MMCF, respectively, in 2014.  The 30% sale in Malaysia in late 2014 and early 2015 represented 2014 production of approximately 26,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd);  excluding these volumes, pro forma 2014 production was approximately 199,400 boepd. 

 

Total production in 2016 is currently expected to average between 180,000 and 185,000 boepd.  The projected production decrease in 2016 is primarily due to lower anticipated overall capital spending of more than 70%  worldwide due to a  forecast of continued low oil and gas prices during the year.

 

United States

In the United States, Murphy primarily has production of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas from fields in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas and in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.  The Company produced 70,675 barrels of crude oil and gas liquids per day and approximately 87 MMCF of natural gas per day in the U.S. in 2015.  These amounts represented 52% of the Company’s total worldwide oil and 20% of worldwide natural gas production volumes.  The Company holds rights to approximately 157 thousand gross acres in South Texas in the Eagle Ford Shale unconventional oil and gas play.  Total 2015 oil and natural gas production in the Eagle Ford area was 54,883 barrels per day and approximately 38 MMCF per day, respectively.  On a barrel of oil equivalent basis, Eagle Ford production accounted for 72% of total U.S. production volumes in 2015.  Due to scale back of drilling and infrastructure development activities related to weak oil prices, production in the Eagle Ford Shale is forecast to decline and average approximately 41,200 barrels of oil and gas liquids per day and 30 MMCF of natural gas per day in 2016.  At December 31, 2015, the Company’s proved reserves in the Eagle Ford Shale area totaled 207.9 million barrels of crude oil, 32.1 million barrels of natural gas liquids, and 166 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

 

During 2015, approximately 28% of total U.S. hydrocarbon production was produced at fields in the Gulf of Mexico.  Approximately 84% of Gulf of Mexico production in 2015 was derived from four fields, including Dalmatian, Medusa, Front Runner and Thunder Hawk.  The Company holds a 70% interest in Dalmatian in

DeSoto Canyon Blocks 4, 48 and 134, 60% interest in Medusa in Mississippi Canyon Blocks 538/582, and 62.5% working interests in the Front Runner field in Green Canyon Blocks 338/339 and the Thunder Hawk field in Mississippi Canyon Block 734.  During 2014, the Company acquired a 29.1% non-operated interest in the Kodiak field in Mississippi Canyon Blocks 727/771.  The Kodiak field is to begin producing in the first quarter of 2016.  Total daily production in the Gulf of Mexico in 2015 was 15,792 barrels of oil and approximately 49 MMCF of natural gas.  Production in the Gulf of Mexico in 2016 is expected to total approximately 14,000 barrels of oil and gas liquids per day and 23 MMCF of natural gas per day.  At December 31, 2015, Murphy has total proved reserves

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for Gulf of Mexico fields of 34.2 million barrels of oil and gas liquids and 66 billion cubic feet of natural gas.  Total U.S. proved reserves at December 31, 2015 were 238.9 million barrels of crude oil, 35.4 million barrels of natural gas liquids, and 232 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

 

Canada

In Canada, the Company holds one wholly-owned heavy oil area and one wholly-owned natural gas area in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB).  In addition, the Company owns interests in three non-operated assets – the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields offshore Newfoundland in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin and Syncrude Canada Ltd. in northern Alberta.    Daily production in 2015 in the WCSB averaged 5,456 barrels of mostly heavy oil and approximately 197 MMCF of natural gas.  The Company has 101 thousand net acres of Montney mineral rights, which includes the Tupper natural gas producing area located in northeast British Columbia.  The Company has 267 thousand net acres of mineral rights in the Seal field located in the Peace River oil sands area of northwest Alberta.  Oil and natural gas daily production for 2016 in Western Canada, excluding Syncrude, is expected to average 3,600 barrels and approximately 212 MMCF, respectively.  The decrease in oil production in 2016 arises from well declines and selective economic related well shut-ins in the Seal area due to lower heavy oil prices.  The increase in natural gas volumes in 2016 is primarily the result of new wells brought on line in the Tupper area and improved performance.  Total WCSB proved liquids and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2015, excluding Syncrude, were approximately 4.6 million barrels and 894 billion cubic feet, respectively.

 

Murphy has a 6.5% working interest in Hibernia, while at Terra Nova the Company’s working interest is 10.475%.  Oil production in 2015 was about 4,400 barrels of oil per day at Hibernia and 3,000 barrels per day at Terra Nova.  Hibernia production declined in 2015 due to maturity of existing wells, while Terra Nova production was slightly higher in 2015 due to higher uptime.  Oil production for 2016 at Hibernia and Terra Nova is anticipated to be approximately 5,200 barrels per day and 2,700 barrels per day, respectively.  Total proved oil reserves at

December 31, 2015 at Hibernia and Terra Nova were approximately 16.3 million barrels and 7.4 million barrels, respectively.

 

Murphy owns a 5% interest in Syncrude Canada Ltd., a joint venture located about 25 miles north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.  Syncrude utilizes its assets, which include three coking units, to extract bitumen from oil sand deposits and to upgrade this bitumen into a high-value synthetic crude oil.  Production in 2015 was about 11,700 net barrels of synthetic crude oil per day and is expected to average about 13,100 barrels per day in 2016.  Total proved synthetic oil reserves for Syncrude at year-end 2015 were 114.8 million barrels.

 

Malaysia

In Malaysia, the Company has majority interests in eight separate production sharing contracts (PSCs).  The Company serves as the operator of all these areas other than the unitized Kakap-Gumusut field.  The production sharing contracts cover approximately 3.68 million gross acres.  In December 2014 and January 2015, the Company sold 30% of its interest in most Malaysian oil and gas assets.

 

Murphy has a 59.5% interest in oil and natural gas discoveries in two shallow-water blocks, SK 309 and SK 311, offshore Sarawak.  Approximately 15,900 barrels of oil and gas liquids per day were produced in 2015 at Blocks SK 309/311.  Oil and gas liquids production in 2016 at fields in Blocks SK 309/311 is anticipated to total about 13,500 barrels of oil per day, with the reduction from 2015 primarily related to natural field decline.  The Company has a gas sales contract for the Sarawak area with PETRONAS, the Malaysian state-owned oil company, and has an ongoing multi-phase development plan for several natural gas discoveries on these blocks.  The gas sales contract allows for gross sales volumes of 250 MMCF per day through September 2021, but allows the Company to deliver higher sales volumes as requested.  Total net natural gas sales volume offshore Sarawak was about 122 MMCF per day during 2015 (gross 272 MMCF per day).  Sarawak net natural gas sales volumes are anticipated to be approximately 114 MMCF per day in 2016.  Total proved reserves of liquids and natural gas at December 31, 2015 for Blocks SK 309/311 were 13.3 million barrels and approximately 203 billion cubic feet, respectively.

 

The Company made a major discovery at the Kikeh field in deepwater Block K, offshore Sabah, Malaysia, in 2002 and added another discovery at Kakap in 2004.  An additional discovery was made in Block K at Siakap North in 2009.  The Company has interests in three Block K discovered fields, which include Kikeh (56%)  Kakap (8.6%) and Siakap North (22.4%) (hereafter “Siakap”).  Total gross acreage held by the Company in Block K as of December 31, 2015 was approximately 82,000 acres.  Production volumes at Kikeh averaged approximately 14,700 barrels of oil per day during 2015.  Oil production at Kikeh is anticipated to average approximately 10,500 barrels per day in 2016.  The reduction in Kikeh oil production in 2016 is primarily attributable to overall field decline.  The Kakap field in Block K is operated by another company and was jointly developed with the Gumusut field owned by others.   Early production began in late 2012 at Kakap via a temporary tie-back to the Kikeh production facility.  The primary Kakap main field production facility was completed and full-field production started up in October 2014. 

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Kakap oil production in 2015 totaled about 7,000 net barrels of oil per day.  In 2016, Kakap production is expected to average near 9,100 barrels of oil per day.  The Siakap oil discovery was developed as a unitized area with the Petai field owned by others, and the combined development is operated by Murphy, with a tie-back to the Kikeh field.  Production began in 2014 at Siakap, and daily production averaged near 4,000 barrels of oil for 2015 at this field.  In 2016, Siakap field production is expected to average 2,600 barrels of oil per day.  The Company has a Block K natural gas sales contract with PETRONAS that calls for gross sales volumes of up to 120 MMCF per day.  Gas production in Block K will continue until the earlier of lack of available commercial quantities of associated gas reserves or expiry of the Block K production sharing contract.  Natural gas production in Block K in 2015 totaled approximately 22 MMCF per day.  Daily gas production in 2016 in Block K is expected to average about 12 MMCF per day.  Total proved reserves booked in Block K as of year-end 2015 were 61.8 million barrels of crude oil and about 33 billion cubic feet of natural gas.

 

The Company also has an interest in deepwater Block H offshore Sabah.  In early 2007, the Company announced a significant natural gas discovery at the Rotan well in Block H.  The Company followed up Rotan with several other nearby discoveries.  Following the partial sell down, Murphy’s interests in Block H range between 42% and 56%.  Total gross acreage held by the Company at year-end 2015 in Block H was 15.99 million acres.  In early 2014, PETRONAS and the Company sanctioned a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project for Block H, and agreed terms for sales of natural gas to be produced with prices tied to an oil index.  First production is currently expected at Block H in 2018.  At December 31, 2015, total natural gas proved reserves for Block H were approximately 311 billion cubic feet.

 

The Company has a 42% interest in a gas holding area covering approximately 2,000 gross acres in Block P.  This interest can be retained until January 2018. 

 

In May 2013, the Company acquired an interest in shallow-water Malaysia Block SK 314A.  The PSC covers a

three year exploration period.  The Company’s working interest in Block SK 314A is 59.5%.  This block includes 1.12 million gross acres.  The Company has a 70% carry of a 15% partner in this concession through the minimum work program.  The first exploration wells were drilled in 2015 for this block.

 

In February 2015, the Company acquired a 50% interest in offshore Block SK 2C.  The Company operates the block, which includes 1.08 million gross acres.  The concession carries one well commitment during the one-year exploration period.  The first exploration period has been extended for six months.  At the expiration of the first exploration period, the Company can opt to extend for two additional years by agreeing to drill another well.

 

Murphy has a 75% interest in gas holding agreements for Kenarong and Pertang discoveries made in Block PM 311 located offshore peninsular Malaysia.  An application for an extension of a gas holding agreement was presented to PETRONAS in 2014, but the application was rejected.  Due to the uncertainty of the future production of the gas discovered in Block PM 311, in 2014 the Company wrote off the prior-year well costs of $47.4 million related to Kenarong and Pertang.  The Company never included natural gas for Block PM 311 in its proved gas reserves.

 

Australia

In Australia, the Company holds eight offshore exploration permits and serves as operator of six of them.

 

The first permit was acquired in 2007 with a 40% interest in Block AC/P36 in the Browse Basin.  Murphy renewed the exploration permit for an additional five years and in that process relinquished 50% of the gross acreage; the license now covers 482 thousand gross acres and expires in 2019.  In 2012, Murphy increased its working interest in the remaining acreage to 100% and subsequently farmed out a 50% working interest and operatorship.  The existing work commitment for this license includes further geophysical work.

 

In May 2012, Murphy was awarded permit WA-476-P in the Carnarvon Basin, offshore Western Australia.  The Company holds 100% working interest in the permit which covers 177 thousand gross acres.  The WA-476-P permit has a primary term work commitment consisting of seismic data purchase and geophysical studies, and all primary term commitments have been completed for this permit.  This permit expires in 2018.

 

The Company also acquired permit WA-481-P in the Perth Basin, offshore Western Australia, in August 2012.  Murphy holds a 40% working interest and operatorship of the permit, which covers approximately 4.30 million gross acres.  The work commitment calls for 2D and 3D seismic acquisition and processing, geophysical work and three exploration wells.  Three wells were drilled on the license in 2015.  All three wells were unsuccessful and costs were expensed.  This permit expires in 2018.

 

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In November 2012, Murphy acquired a 20% non-operated working interest in permit WA-408-P in the Browse Basin.  The permit comprises approximately 417 thousand gross acres and expires in 2016.  Two wells were drilled on the license in 2013.  The first well found hydrocarbon but was deemed commercially unsuccessful and was written off to expense.  The second well was also unsuccessful and costs were expensed in 2013.

 

The Company was awarded permit EPP43 in the Ceduna Basin, offshore South Australia, in October 2013.  The Company operates the concession and holds a 50% working interest in the permit covering approximately 4.08 million gross acres.  The exploration permit has commitments for 2D and 3D seismic, to which acquisition was completed in the first half of 2015.  This permit expires in 2020.

 

In April 2014 and June 2014, Murphy was awarded licenses AC/P57 and AC/P58 in the Vulcan Sub Basin, offshore Western Australia.  The respective blocks cover approximately 82 thousand and 692 thousand gross acres, respectively.  These exploration permits cover six years each and require 3D seismic reprocessing and a gravity survey.  

 

In March 2015, Murphy was awarded AC/P59 license, another acreage position in the Vulcan Sub Basin, offshore Western Australia.  The block covers approximately 300 thousand gross acres.  The exploration permit covers six years and requires 3D seismic reprocessing, which began in December 2015.

 

Brunei

In late 2010, the Company entered into two production sharing agreements for properties offshore Brunei.  The Company had a 5% working interest in Block CA-1 and a 30% working interest in Block CA-2.  In 2015, the Company exercised a preemptive right that increased its working interest in Block CA-1 to 8.051%.  The CA-1 and CA-2 blocks cover 1.44 million and 1.49 million gross acres, respectively.  Three successful wells were drilled in Block CA-1 in 2012 and three wells were successfully drilled in Block CA-2 in 2013.  The partnership group is evaluating development options for these blocks.

 

Vietnam

In November 2012, the Company signed a PSC with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and PetroVietnam Exploration Production Company, whereby it acquired 65% interest and operatorship of Blocks 144 and 145.  The blocks cover approximately 6.55 million gross acres and are located in the outer Phu Khanh Basin.  The Company acquired 2D seismic for these blocks in 2013.

 

In June 2013, the Company acquired a 60% working interest and operatorship of Block 11-2/11 under a PSC.  The block covers 677 thousand gross acres.  The Company acquired 3D seismic and performed other geological and geophysical studies in this block in 2013.  This concession carries a three-well commitment.

 

In June 2014, the Company farmed into Block 13-03.  The Company has a 20% working interest in this concession which covers 853 thousand gross acres.  Murphy expensed an unsuccessful exploration well drilled in the block in 2014.

 

In August 2015, the Company signed a farm-in agreement to acquire 35% of Block 15-1/05 that is pending government approval and assignment.

 

Indonesia

The Company has interests in two exploration licenses in Indonesia and serves as operator of these concessions.  In December 2010, Murphy entered into a PSC in the Wokam II block, offshore West Papua, Moluccas and Papua.  Murphy has a 100% interest in the block covering 1.22 million gross acres.  The three-year work commitment called for seismic acquisition and processing, which the Company completed in 2013.  The Company requested relinquishment of this license in 2015 and final government approval is pending.

 

In November 2011, the Company acquired a 100% interest in a PSC in the Semai IV block, offshore West Papua.  The concession includes 873 thousand gross acres, and the agreement called for work commitments of seismic acquisition and processing, which were undertaken in 2014.  The Company requested relinquishment of this license in 2015 and final government approval is pending.

 

In November 2008, Murphy entered into a PSC in the Semai II block, offshore West Papua.  The Company has a 28.3% interest in the block which covered about 543 thousand gross acres after a required partial relinquishment of acreage during 2012.  3D seismic was acquired in 2010 and three unsuccessful exploration wells have been drilled

in the block.  The Company requested relinquishment of this license in 2014 and final government approval is pending.

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In May 2008, the Company entered into a production sharing agreement at a 100% interest in the South Barito

block in south Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.  Following contractually mandated acreage relinquishment in 2012, the block covered approximately 745 thousand gross acres.  The contract granted a six-year exploration term with an optional four-year extension.  The Company requested relinquishment of this license in 2014 and final government approval is pending.

 

Equatorial Guinea

In December 2012, Murphy signed a PSC for block “W” offshore Equatorial Guinea, with a 45% working interest and operatorship.  The government ratified the contract in April 2013.  The block is located offshore mainland Equatorial Guinea and encompasses 557 thousand gross acres with water depths ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 meters.  The initial exploration period of five years is divided into two sub-periods, a first sub-period of three years and a second sub-period of two years.  The first sub-period may be extended one year, and the extension carries an obligation to drill one well.  Entering into the second sub-period carries an obligation to drill an additional well.  In early 2014, Murphy completed acquisition of new 3D seismic over the entire block. The Company withdrew from this block in 2015 and is currently awaiting government approval to assign its interest to the joint venture partner.

 

Namibia

In March 2014, the Company acquired a 40% working interest and operatorship of Blocks 2613 A/B.  The Company acquired the working interest through a farm-out arrangement under the existing petroleum agreement entered into in October 2011.  The block encompasses 2,734 thousand gross acres with water depths ranging from 400 to 2,500 meters.  The initial exploration period of four years may be extended one year.  Entering the first renewal period has the obligation to drill an exploration well.  Entering the second renewal period has the obligation to drill an additional well.  In 2014, Murphy completed acquisition of new 3D seismic over the block.  Using the available seismic data, the Company is evaluating the potential for drilling.

 

Cameroon

In October 2011, Murphy was granted government approval to acquire a 50% working interest and operatorship of the Ntem concession.  The working interest was acquired through a farm-out agreement of the existing production sharing contract.  The Ntem block, situated in the Douala Basin offshore Cameroon, encompasses 573 thousand gross acres, with water depths ranging from 300 to 1,900 meters.  The concession was in force majeure until January 2014.  With force majeure lifted, the Company drilled an unsuccessful exploration well on the Ntem prospect in 2014.  The Company declared force majeure again in May 2014.  The Company withdrew from this block in 2015.

 

Suriname

In December 2011, Murphy signed a PSC with Suriname’s state oil company, Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. (Staatsolie), whereby it acquired a 100% working interest and operatorship of Block 48 offshore Suriname.  The block encompasses 794 thousand gross acres with water depths ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters.  In early 2014, Murphy farmed out a portion of its working interest in Block 48, thereby reducing its interest from 100% to 50% and in early 2015 Murphy relinquished its license in this block.

 

Republic of the Congo

The Company formerly had interests in Production Sharing Agreements covering two offshore blocks in Republic of the Congo – Mer Profonde Sud (MPS) and Mer Profonde Nord (MPN).  In 2005, Murphy made an oil discovery at Azurite Marine #1 in the southern block, MPS.  Total oil production in 2013 averaged 1,000 barrels per day at Azurite for the Company’s 50% interest.  The field was shut down and ceased production in the fourth quarter of 2013 and abandonment operations were completed in 2014.  Abandonment and other exit charges of $82.5 million were recorded in 2013 associated with the earlier than anticipated shutdown of the Azurite field.  The MPN block exploration license expired on December 30, 2012 and MPS block exploration license expired in March 2013.  Murphy decommissioned the Azurite field upon completion of abandonment in 2014 and has exited the country.

 

United Kingdom – Discontinued Operations

Murphy produced oil and natural gas in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea for many years.  In 2013, Murphy sold all of its oil and gas properties in the U.K. with an after-tax gain of $216.1 million on the sale.  Total 2013 production in the U.K. on a full-year basis amounted to about 600 barrels of oil per day and 1 MMCF of natural gas per day.  The Company has accounted for U.K. oil and gas activities as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

Ecuador – Discontinued Operations

Murphy sold its 20% working interest in Block 16, Ecuador in March 2009.  In October 2007, the government of Ecuador passed a law that increased its share of revenue for sales prices that exceed a base price (about $23.36 per barrel at December 31, 2008) from 50% to 99%.  The government had previously enacted a 50% revenue sharing

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rate in April 2006.  The Company initiated arbitration proceedings against the government in one arbitral body claiming that the government did not have the right under the contract to enact the revenue sharing provision.  In 2010, the arbitration panel determined that it lacked jurisdiction over the claim due to technicalities.  The arbitration was refiled in 2011 before a different arbitral body.  The arbitration proceeding was held in late 2014 and the Company continues to await a decision by the tribunal.  The Company’s total claim in the arbitration process is in excess of $118 million.

 

Proved Reserves

Total proved reserves for crude oil, synthetic oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas as of December 31, 2015 are presented in the following table.

 

 

 

 

Murphy Oil’s total proved reserves and proved undeveloped reserves increased during 2015 as presented in the table that follows:

 

 

 

 

During 2015, Murphy added proved reserves of 17.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe).  The most significant adds to total proved reserves related to drilling and well performance in the Montney gas area of Western Canada that added 20.0 mmboe, and drilling and well performance in the Eagle Ford Shale that added 78.0 mmboe.  The Company sold an additional 10% of its oil and gas assets in Malaysia during the year which reduced its proved reserves by 24.1 mmboe.    Murphy’s total proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2015 increased 15.8 MMBOE from a year earlier.  The conversion of non-proved reserves to newly reported proved undeveloped reserves reported in the table as extensions and discoveries during 2015 was predominantly attributable to two areas – drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas and the Montney area in Western Canada as these areas had active development work ongoing during the year.  The majority of proved undeveloped reserves reductions associated with revisions of previous estimates were the result of lower oil and gas prices causing these volumes to either become uneconomical or expire due to reallocated capital.  The majority of the proved undeveloped reserves migration to the proved developed category occurred in the Eagle Ford Shale,  Gulf of Mexico

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and Montney, attributed to drilling.    The Company sold an additional 10% interest in its Malaysian oil and gas properties in early 2015 which led to a reduction of proved undeveloped reserves of 10.3 MMBOE during the year.  The Company spent approximately $800.0 million in 2015 to convert proved undeveloped reserves to prove developed reserves.  The Company expects to spend about $400 million in 2016, $400 million in 2017 and $500 million in 2018 to move currently undeveloped proved reserves to the developed category.  The anticipated level of spend in 2016 primarily includes drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale and Tupper gas areas.  In computing MMBOE, natural gas is converted to equivalent barrels of oil using a ratio of six thousand cubic feet (MCF) to one barrel of oil.

 

At December 31, 2015, proved reserves are included for several development projects, including oil developments at the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas and the Kakap, Kikeh and Siakap fields, offshore Sabah, Malaysia, as well as natural gas developments offshore Sarawak and offshore Block H, Malaysia.  Total proved undeveloped reserves associated with various development projects at December 31, 2015 were approximately 295 MMBOE, which is 38% of the Company’s total proved reserves.  Certain development projects have proved undeveloped reserves that will take more than five years to bring to production.  The Company operates deepwater fields in the Gulf of Mexico that have  three undeveloped locations that exceed this five-year window.  Total reserves associated with the three locations amount to less than 1% of the Company’s total proved reserves at year-end 2015.  The development of certain of these reserves stretches beyond five years due to limited well slots available, thus making it necessary to wait for depletion of other wells prior to initiating further development of these locations.  The second project that will take more than five years to develop is offshore Malaysia and makes up approximately 1% of the Company’s total proved reserves at year-end 2015.  This project is an extension of the Sarawak natural gas project and is expected to be on production in 2018 once current project production volumes decline.  Additionally, the Block H development project has undeveloped proved reserves that make up 7% of the Company’s total proved reserves at year-end 2015.  This operated project will take longer than five years from discovery to completely develop due to construction of floating LNG facilities and the remote location offshore deep waters in Sabah Malaysia.  Field start up is expected to occur in 2018, which is less than five years beyond the period that proved undeveloped reserves were first recorded.

 

Murphy Oil’s Reserves Processes and Policies

 

The Company employs a Manager of Corporate Reserves (Manager) who is independent of the Company’s oil and gas management.  The Manager reports to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning & Services, of Murphy Oil Corporation, who in turn reports directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Oil.  The Manager makes presentations to the Board of Directors periodically about the Company’s reserves.  The Manager reviews and discusses reserves estimates directly with the Company’s reservoir engineering staff in order to make every effort to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and industry.  The Manager coordinates and oversees reserves audits.  These audits are performed annually and target coverage of approximately one-third of Company reserves each year.  The audits are performed by the Manager and qualified engineering staff from areas of the Company other than the area being audited.  The Manager may also utilize qualified independent reserves consultants to assist with the internal audits or to perform separate audits as considered appropriate.

 

Each significant exploration and production office maintains one or more Qualified Reserve Estimators (QRE) on staff.  The QRE is responsible for estimating and evaluating reserves and other reserves information for his or her assigned area.  The QRE may personally make the estimates and evaluations of reserves or may supervise and approve the estimation and evaluation thereof by others.  A QRE is professionally qualified to perform these reserves estimates due to having sufficient educational background, professional training and professional experience to enable him or her to exercise prudent professional judgment.

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Normally, this requires a minimum of three years practical experience in petroleum engineering or petroleum production geology, with at least one year of such experience being in the estimation and evaluation of reserves, and either a bachelors or advanced degree in petroleum engineering, geology or other discipline of engineering or physical science from a college or university of recognized stature, or the equivalent thereof from an appropriate government authority or professional organization.

 

Larger offices of the Company also employ a Regional Reserves Coordinator (RRC) who supervises the local QREs.  The RRC is usually a senior QRE that has the primary responsibility for coordinating and submitting reserves information to senior management.

 

The Company’s QREs maintain files containing pertinent data regarding each significant reservoir.  Each file includes sufficient data to support the calculations or analogies used to develop the values.  Examples of data included in the file, as appropriate, include:  production histories; pertinent drilling and workover histories; bottom hole pressure data; volumetric, material balance, analogy or other pertinent reserve estimation data; production performance curves; narrative descriptions of the methods and logic used to determine reserves values; maps and logs; and a signed copy of the conclusion of the QRE stating, that in their opinion, the reserves have been calculated, reviewed, documented and reported in compliance with the regulations and guidelines contained in the reserves training manual.  The Company’s reserves are maintained in an industry recognized reservoir engineering software system, which has adequate access controls to avoid the possibility of improper manipulation of data.  When reserves calculations are completed by QREs and appropriately reviewed by RRCs and the Manager, the conclusions are reviewed and discussed with the head of the Company’s exploration and production business and other senior management as appropriate.  The Company’s Controller’s department is responsible for preparing and filing reserves schedules within the Form 10-K report.

 

Murphy provides annual training to all company reserves estimators to ensure SEC requirements associated with reserves estimation and Form 10-K reporting are fulfilled.  The training includes materials provided to each participant that outlines the latest guidance from the SEC as well as best practices for many engineering and geologic matters related to reserves estimation.

 

Qualifications of Manager of Corporate Reserves

 

The Company believes that it has qualified employees preparing oil and gas reserves estimates.  Mr. F. Michael Lasswell serves as Corporate Reserves Manager after joining the Company in 2012.  Prior to joining Murphy, Mr. Lasswell was employed as a Regional Coordinator of reserves at a major integrated oil company.  He worked in several capacities in the reservoir engineering department with the oil company from 2002 to 2012.  Mr. Lasswell earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters of Science degree in Geotechnical Engineering from Brigham Young University.  Mr. Lasswell has experience working in the reservoir engineering field in numerous areas of the world, including the North Sea, the U.S. Arctic, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.  He serves on the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Oil and Gas Reserves Committee (OGRC) and is also co-author of a paper on the Recognition of Reserves which was published by the SPE. Mr. Lasswell has also attended numerous industry training courses.

 

More information regarding Murphy’s estimated quantities of proved reserves of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas for the last three years are presented by geographic area on pages F-51 through F-57 of this Form 10-K report.  Murphy has not filed and is not required to file any estimates of its total proved oil or gas reserves on a recurring basis with any federal or foreign governmental regulatory authority or agency other than the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  Annually, Murphy reports gross reserves of properties operated in the United States to the U.S. Department of Energy; such reserves are derived from the same data from which estimated proved reserves of such properties are determined.

 

Crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids production and sales, and natural gas sales by geographic area with weighted average sales prices for each of the three years ended December 31, 2015 are shown on pages 31 and 33 of this Form 10-K Report.  In 2015, the Company’s production of oil and natural gas represented approximately 0.1% of worldwide totals.

 

Production expenses for the last three years in U.S. dollars per equivalent barrel are discussed beginning on page 35 of this Form 10-K report.  For purposes of these computations, natural gas sales volumes are converted to equivalent barrels of oil using a ratio of six MCF of natural gas to one barrel of oil.

 

Supplemental disclosures relating to oil and gas producing activities are reported on pages F-49 through F-62 of this Form 10-K report.

 

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At December 31, 2015, Murphy held leases, concessions, contracts or permits on developed and undeveloped acreage as shown by geographic area in the following table.  Gross acres are those in which all or part of the working interest is owned by Murphy.  Net acres are the portions of the gross acres attributable to Murphy’s interest.

 

 

 

 

Certain acreage held by the Company will expire in the next three years.  Scheduled expirations in 2016 include 918 thousand net acres in Wokam II Block in Indonesia; 745 thousand net acres in South Barito Block in Indonesia; 218 thousand net acres in Semai IV Block in Indonesia; 670 thousand net acres in Block SK 314A in Malaysia; 36 thousand net acres in Block PM 311 in Malaysia; 427 thousand net acres in Blocks 144 and 145 in Vietnam; 81 thousand net acres in Block 11-2/11 in Vietnam; 135 thousand net acres in the United States; and 97 thousand net acres in Western Canada.  Scheduled acreage expirations in 2017 include 154 thousand net acres in Semai II Block in Indonesia; 42 thousand net acres in Block WA-408-P in Australia; 51 thousand net acres in the United States; and 41 thousand net acres in Western Canada.  Acreage currently scheduled to expire in 2018 include 655 thousand net acres in Semai IV Block in Indonesia; 142 thousand net acres in the United States; 34 thousand net acres in Blocks 13-03 in Vietnam; and 10 thousand net acres in Western Canada.

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As used in the three tables that follow, “gross” wells are the total wells in which all or part of the working interest is owned by Murphy, and “net” wells are the total of the Company’s fractional working interests in gross wells expressed as the equivalent number of wholly owned wells.  An “exploratory” well is drilled to find and produce crude oil or natural gas in an unproved area and includes delineation wells which target a new reservoir in a field known to be productive or to extend a known reservoir beyond the proved area.  A “development” well is drilled within the proved area of an oil or natural gas reservoir that is known to be productive.

 

The following table shows the number of oil and gas wells producing or capable of producing at December 31, 2015.

 

 

 

 

Murphy’s net wells drilled in the last three years are shown in the following table.

 

 

 

 

The Canadian dry development wells shown above in 2013 and 2014 are stratigraphic wells used to obtain information about Seal area heavy oil reservoirs.  These wells will not be used to produce oil.

 

Murphy’s drilling wells in progress at December 31, 2015 are shown in the following table.  The year-end well count includes wells awaiting various completion operations.  The U.S. net wells included below are essentially all located in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas.

 

 

 

 

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Refining and Marketing – Discontinued Operations

The Company completed the separation of its former retail marketing business in the United States on August 30, 2013, through a distribution of 100% of the shares of Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA) to shareholders of Murphy Oil.  MUSA is a stand-alone, publicly owned company which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “MUSA.”

 

The Company decommissioned the Milford Haven refinery units and completed the sale of its remaining downstream assets in the U.K. in the second quarter of 2015 for cash proceeds of $5.5 million.  The Company has accounted for this U.K. downstream business as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

All of the results of the U.S. and U.K. downstream businesses have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented in this report.

 

Environmental

 

Murphy’s businesses are subject to various international, national, state, provincial and local environmental laws and regulations that govern the manner in which the Company conducts its operations.  The Company anticipates that these requirements will continue to become more complex and stringent in the future.

 

Further information on environmental matters and their impact on Murphy are contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on pages 43 and 44.

 

Web site Access to SEC Reports

 

Murphy Oil’s internet Web site address is http://www.murphyoilcorp.com. Information contained on the Company’s Web site is not part of this report on Form 10-K.

 

The Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available on Murphy’s Web site, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.  You may also access these reports at the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Current low oil prices may adversely affect the Company’s operations in several ways in the future.

 

As noted elsewhere in this report, crude oil prices were significantly weaker in 2015 than in prior years.  Oil prices have continued to slide into early 2016.  These low oil prices have adversely affected the company in several ways, and could continue to do so in 2016 as noted below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certain of these effects are further discussed in risk factors that follow.

 

Murphy Oil’s businesses operate in highly competitive environments, which could adversely affect it in many ways, including its profitability, its ability to grow, and its ability to manage its businesses.

 

Murphy operates in the oil and gas industry and experiences intense competition from other oil and gas companies, which include state-owned foreign oil companies, major integrated oil companies, and independent producers of oil and natural gas.  Virtually all of the state-owned and major integrated oil companies and many of the independent producers that compete with the Company have substantially greater resources than Murphy.  In addition, the oil industry as a whole competes with other industries in supplying energy requirements around the world.  Murphy competes, among other things, for valuable acreage positions, exploration licenses, drilling equipment and human resources.

 

If Murphy cannot replace its oil and natural gas reserves, it may not be able to sustain or grow its business.

 

Murphy continually depletes its oil and natural gas reserves as production occurs.  In order to sustain and grow its business, the Company must successfully replace the crude oil and natural gas it produces with additional reserves.  Therefore, it must create and maintain a portfolio of good prospects for future reserves additions and production by obtaining rights to explore for, develop and produce hydrocarbons in promising areas.  In addition, it must find, develop and produce and/or purchase reserves at a competitive cost structure to be successful in the long-term.  Murphy’s ability to operate profitably in the exploration and production segments of its business, therefore, is dependent on its ability to find, develop and produce and/or purchase oil and natural gas reserves at costs that are less than the realized sales price for these products and at costs competitive with competing companies in the industry.

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Murphy’s proved reserves are based on the professional judgment of its engineers and may be subject to revision.

 

Proved reserves of crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and natural gas included in this report on pages

F-51 through F-57 have been prepared by qualified Company personnel or qualified independent engineers based

on an unweighted average of crude oil, NGL and natural gas prices in effect at the beginning of each month of the respective year as well as other conditions and information available at the time the estimates were prepared.  Estimation of reserves is a subjective process that involves professional judgment by engineers about volumes to be recovered in future periods from underground oil and natural gas reservoirs.  Estimates of economically recoverable crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves and future net cash flows depend upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, and consequently, different engineers could arrive at different estimates of reserves and future net cash flows based on the same available data and using industry accepted engineering practices and scientific methods.  Under existing SEC rules, reported proved reserves must be reasonably certain of recovery in future periods.

 

Murphy’s actual future oil and natural gas production may vary substantially from its reported quantity of proved reserves due to a number of factors, including:

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s proved undeveloped reserves represent significant portions of total proved reserves.  As of December 31, 2015, approximately 28% of the Company’s crude oil proved reserves, 41% of natural gas liquids proved reserves and 54% of natural gas proved reserves are undeveloped.  The ability of the Company to reclassify these undeveloped proved reserves to the proved developed classification is generally dependent on the successful completion of one or more operations, which might include further development drilling, construction of facilities or pipelines, and well workovers.

 

The discounted future net revenues from our proved reserves as reported on pages F-61 and F-62 should not be considered as the market value of the reserves attributable to our properties.  As required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the estimated discounted future net revenues from our proved reserves are based on an unweighted average of the oil and natural gas prices in effect at the beginning of each month during the year.  Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than those used in the reserves computations.

 

In addition, the 10 percent discount factor that is required to be used to calculate discounted future net revenues for reporting purposes under GAAP is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on our cost of capital and the risks associated with our business and the crude oil and natural gas business in general.

 

 

Volatility in the global prices of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas significantly affects the Company’s operating results.

 

Among the most significant variables affecting the Company’s results of operations are the sales prices for crude oil and natural gas that it produces.  West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices averaged about $49 per barrel in 2015, compared to $93 per barrel in 2014 and $98 per barrel in 2013.  The closing price for WTI at the end of 2015 was approximately $37 per barrel.  As demonstrated by the significant decline in WTI crude oil prices in late 2014 and 2015, prices can be quite volatile.  The average NYMEX natural gas sales price was $2.61 per thousand cubic feet (MCF) in 2015, down from $4.34 per MCF in 2014 and $3.73 per MCF in 2013.  The closing price for NYMEX natural gas trades as of December 31, 2015, was $2.34 per MCF.  As demonstrated in 2013 through 2015, the sales prices for crude oil and natural gas can be significantly different in U.S. markets compared to markets in foreign locations.  A small percentage of the Company’s crude oil production is heavy and more sour than WTI quality crude; therefore, this crude oil usually sells at a discount to WTI and other light and sweet crude oils.  In addition, the sales prices for heavy and sour crude oils do not always move in relation to price changes for WTI and lighter/sweeter crude oils.  Certain crude oils produced by the Company, including certain U.S. and Canadian crude

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oils and all crude oil produced in Malaysia, generally price off oil indices other than WTI, and these indices are influenced by different supply and demand forces than those that affect the U.S. WTI prices.  The most common crude oil indices used to price the Company’s crude include Louisiana Light Sweet (LLS), Brent and Malaysian crude oil indices.  Certain natural gas production offshore Sarawak have been sold in recent years at a premium to average North American natural gas prices due to pricing structures built into the sales contracts.  Associated natural gas produced at fields in Block K offshore Sabah are sold at heavily discounted prices compared to North American gas prices as stipulated in the sales contract.  The Company cannot predict how changes in the sales prices of oil and natural gas will affect its results of operations in future periods.  The Company often seeks to hedge a portion of its exposure to the effects of changing prices of crude oil and natural gas by purchasing forwards, swaps and other forms of derivative contracts.

 

Exploration drilling results can significantly affect the Company’s operating results.

 

The Company drills exploratory wells each year which subjects its exploration and production operating results to significant exposure to dry holes expense, which may have adverse effects on, and create volatility for, the Company’s results of operations.  In 2015, wildcat wells were primarily drilled offshore Australia, Malaysia and in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Company’s 2016 planned exploratory drilling program includes only commitment wells in Block SK 314A in Malaysia and Blocks 11-21/11 and 15-1/05 in Vietnam.

 

Potential federal or state regulations could increase the Company’s costs and/or restrict operating methods, which could adversely affect its production levels.

 

The Company uses a technique known as hydraulic fracturing whereby water, sand and certain chemicals are injected into deep oil and gas bearing reservoirs in North America.  This process creates fractures in the rock formation within the reservoir which enables oil and natural gas to migrate to the wellbore.  The Company primarily uses this technique in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas and in Western Canada.  This practice is generally regulated by the states, but at times the U.S. has proposed additional regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  In June 2011, the State of Texas adopted a law requiring public disclosure of certain information regarding the components used in the hydraulic fracturing process.  The Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta have also issued regulations related to hydraulic fracturing activities under their jurisdictions.  It is possible that the states, the U.S., Canadian provinces and certain municipalities adopt further laws or regulations which could render the process unlawful, less effective or drive up its costs.  If any such action is taken in the future, the Company’s production levels could be adversely affected or its costs of drilling and completion could be increased.

 

In April 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) announced proposed broad regulatory changes related to well design, well control, casing, cementing, real-time monitoring, and subsea containment, among other items known broadly as the Well Control Rule.  Final regulations are expected in 2016, with compliance required over the next several years.  Although changes to the proposed rule could be made during the regulatory process, the rule could significantly increase the Company’s future costs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

 

Hydraulic fracturing exposes the Company to operational and regulatory risks and third party claims.

 

Hydraulic fracturing operations subject the Company to operational risks inherent in the drilling and production of oil and natural gas.  These risks include underground migration or surface spillage due to releases of oil, natural gas, formation water or well fluids, as well as any related surface or ground water contamination, including from petroleum constituents or hydraulic fracturing chemical additives.  Ineffective containment of surface spillage and surface or ground water contamination resulting from hydraulic fracturing operations, including from petroleum constituents or hydraulic fracturing chemical additives, could result in environmental pollution, remediation expenses and third party claims alleging damages, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, hydraulic fracturing requires significant quantities of water.  Any diminished access to water for use in the process could curtail the Company’s operations or otherwise result in operational delays or increased costs.

 

Capital financing may not always be available to fund Murphy’s activities.

 

Murphy usually must spend and risk a significant amount of capital to find and develop reserves before revenue is generated from production.  Although most capital needs are funded from operating cash flow, the timing of cash flows from operations and capital funding needs may not always coincide, and the levels of cash flow generated by operations may not fully cover capital funding requirements, especially in periods of low commodity prices such as those experienced in 2015 and early 2016.  Therefore, the Company maintains financing arrangements with lending

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institutions to meet certain funding needs.  The Company must periodically renew these financing arrangements based on foreseeable financing needs or as they expire.  The Company’s primary bank financing facility has a capacity of $2.0 billion and matures in May 2017.  There is the possibility that financing arrangements may not always be available at sufficient levels required to fund the Company’s activities in future periods.  On February 18, 2016, Moody’s Investor Services downgraded the Company’s senior unsecured notes to a “B1” rating, effectively reducing the Company’s credit to below investment grade status.  The ability of the Company to obtain future debt financing may be adversely affected by this credit rating downgrade. Also, in February, Fitch Rating downgraded the Company’s notes to below investment grade.  These downgrades could adversely affect our cost of capital and our ability to raise debt as needed in public markets in future periods.  Additionally, in order to obtain debt financing in future years, the Company may have to provide more security to its lenders.  Additionally, should low oil and gas prices continue in 2016 and 2017, the ability of the Company to renew its revolving credit facility that matures in May 2017 and repay or refinance its $550 million note that matures in December 2017 may be adversely impacted.  The Company has a shelf registration statement on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the offer and sale of debt and/or equity securities through October 2018.  Although not considered likely, the Company may not be able in the future to sell notes in the marketplace.

 

Murphy has limited or virtually no control over several factors that could adversely affect the Company.

 

The ability of the Company to successfully manage development and operating costs is important because virtually all of the products it sells are energy commodities such as crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, for which the Company has little or no influence on the sales prices or regional and worldwide consumer demand for these products.  Changes in commodity prices also impact the volume of production attributed to the Company under production sharing contracts in Malaysia.  Economic slowdowns, such as those experienced in 2008 and 2009, had a detrimental effect on the worldwide demand for these energy commodities, which effectively led to reduced prices for oil and natural gas for a period of time.  An oversupply of crude oil in 2015 led to a severe decline in worldwide oil prices.  Lower prices for crude oil and natural gas inevitably lead to lower earnings for the Company.  The Company also often experiences pressure on its operating and capital expenditures in periods of strong crude oil and natural gas prices because an increase in exploration and production activities due to high oil and gas sales prices generally leads to higher demand for, and consequently higher costs for, goods and services in the oil and gas industry.  The current low crude oil price environment in 2015 and early 2016 has caused the Company to reduce discretionary drilling programs, which in turn, hurts the Company’s future production levels and future cash flow generated from operations.

 

Many of the Company’s major oil and natural gas producing properties are operated by others.  Therefore, Murphy does not fully control all activities at certain of its significant revenue generating properties.  During 2015, approximately 15% of the Company’s total production was at fields operated by others, while at December 31, 2015, approximately 22% of the Company’s total proved reserves were at fields operated by others.

 

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Murphy’s operations and earnings have been and will continue to be affected by worldwide political developments.

 

Many governments, including those that are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), unilaterally intervene at times in the orderly market of crude oil and natural gas produced in their countries through such actions as setting prices, determining rates of production, and controlling who may buy and sell the production.  As of December 31, 2015, approximately 21% of the Company’s proved reserves, as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, were located in countries other than the U.S. and Canada.  Certain of the reserves held outside these two countries could be considered to have more political risk.  In addition, prices and availability of crude oil, natural gas and refined products could be influenced by political unrest and by various governmental policies to restrict or increase petroleum usage and supply.  Other governmental actions that could affect Murphy’s operations and earnings include expropriation, tax changes, royalty increases, redefinition of international boundaries, preferential and discriminatory awarding of oil and gas leases, restrictions on drilling and/or production, restraints and controls on imports and exports, safety, and relationships between employers and employees.  Governments could also initiate regulations concerning matters such as currency fluctuations, protection and remediation of the environment, and concerns over the possibility of global warming or other climate change being affected by human activity including the production and use of hydrocarbon energy.  Additionally, because of the numerous countries in which the Company operates, certain other risks exist, including the application of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Canada Corruption of Foreign Officials Act, the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and similar anti-corruption compliance statutes.  Because these and other factors too numerous to list are subject to changes caused by governmental and political considerations and are often made in response to changing internal and worldwide economic conditions and to actions of other governments or specific events, it is not practical to attempt to predict the effects of such factors on Murphy’s future operations and earnings.

 

Murphy’s business is subject to operational hazards, security risks and risks normally associated with the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas.

 

The Company operates in urban and remote, and often inhospitable, areas around the world.  The occurrence of an event, including but not limited to acts of nature such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other forms of severe weather, and mechanical equipment failures, industrial accidents, fires, explosions, acts of war, civil unrest, piracy and acts of terrorism could result in the loss of hydrocarbons and associated revenues, environmental pollution or contamination, personal injury, including death, and property damages for which the Company could be deemed to be liable, and which could subject the Company to substantial fines and/or claims for punitive damages.

 

The location of many of Murphy’s key assets causes the Company to be vulnerable to severe weather, including hurricanes and tropical storms.  A number of significant oil and natural gas fields lie in offshore waters around the world.  Probably the most vulnerable of the Company’s offshore fields are in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, where severe hurricanes and tropical storms have often led to shutdowns and damages.  The U.S. hurricane season runs from June through November.  Although the Company maintains insurance for such risks as described elsewhere in this Form 10-K report, due to policy deductibles and possible coverage limits, weather-related risks are not fully insured.

 

In addition, the Company has risks associated with cybersecurity attacks.  Although the Company maintains processes and systems to monitor and avoid damages from security threats, there can be no assurance that such processes and systems will successfully avert such security breaches.  A successful  breach could lead to system disruptions, loss of data or unauthorized release of highly sensitive data. This could lead to property or environmental damages and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and costs.

 

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Murphy’s insurance may not be adequate to offset costs associated with certain events and there can be no assurance that insurance coverage will continue to be available in the future on terms that justify its purchase.

 

Murphy maintains insurance against certain, but not all, hazards that could arise from its operations.  The Company maintains liability insurance sufficient to cover its share of gross insured claim costs up to approximately $700 million per occurrence and in the annual aggregate.  Generally, this insurance covers various types of third party claims related to personal injury, death and property damage, including claims arising from “sudden and accidental” pollution events.  The Company also maintains insurance coverage with an additional limit of $400 million per occurrence ($850 million for Gulf of Mexico operations not related to a named windstorm), all or part of which could be applicable to certain sudden and accidental pollution events.  These policies have deductibles ranging from $10 to $25 million.  The occurrence of an event that is not insured or not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in the future.

 

Lawsuits against Murphy and its subsidiaries could adversely affect its operating results.

 

The Company is involved in numerous lawsuits seeking cash settlements for alleged personal injuries, property damages and other business-related matters.  Certain of these lawsuits will take many years to resolve through court proceedings or negotiated settlements.  None of these lawsuits are considered individually material or aggregate to a material amount in the opinion of management.

 

The Company is exposed to credit risks associated with sales of certain of its products to third parties.

 

Although Murphy limits its credit risk by selling its products to numerous entities worldwide, it still, at times, carries substantial credit risk from its customers.  For certain oil and gas properties operated by the Company, other companies which own partial interests may not be able to meet their financial obligation to pay for their share of capital and operating costs as they come due.  The inability of a purchaser of the Company’s oil or natural gas or a partner of the Company to meet their respective payment obligations to the Company could have an adverse effect on Murphy’s future earnings and cash flows.

 

Murphy’s operations could be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency conversion rates.

 

The Company’s worldwide operational scope exposes it to risks associated with foreign currencies.  Most of the Company’s business is transacted in U.S. dollars, therefore, the Company and most of its subsidiaries are U.S. dollar functional entities for accounting purposes.  However, the Canadian dollar is the functional currency for all Canadian operations and the British pound is the functional currency for most remaining U.K. discontinued operations.  In certain countries, such as Canada, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, significant levels of transactions occur in currencies other than the functional currency.  In Malaysia, such transactions include tax payments, while in Canada, certain crude oil sales are priced in U.S. dollars.  This exposure to currencies other than the functional currency can lead to significant impacts on consolidated financial results.  Exposures associated with current and deferred income tax liability balances in Malaysia are generally not hedged.  A strengthening of the Malaysian ringgit against the U.S. dollar would be expected to lead to currency losses in consolidated operations; gains would be expected if the ringgit weakens versus the dollar.  Foreign exchange exposures between the U.S. dollar and the British pound are not hedged.  The Company would generally expect to incur currency losses when the U.S. dollar strengthens against the British pound and would conversely expect currency gains when the U.S. dollar weakens against the pound.  In Canada, currency risk is often managed by selling forward U.S. dollars to match the collection dates for crude oil sold in that currency.  See Note L in the consolidated financial statements for additional information on derivative contracts.

 

The costs and funding requirements related to the Company’s retirement plans are affected by several factors.

 

The costs and funding requirements related to the Company’s retirement plans are affected by several factors.  A number of actuarial assumptions impact funding requirements for the Company’s retirement plans.  The most significant of these assumptions include return on assets, long-term interest rates and mortality.  If the actual results for the plans vary significantly from the actuarial assumptions used, or if laws regulating such retirement plans are changed, Murphy could be required to make more significant funding payments to one or more of its retirement plans in the future and/or it could be required to record a larger liability for future obligations in its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

 

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Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

The Company had no unresolved comments from the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as of December 31, 2015.

 

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

 

Descriptions of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties are included in Item 1 of this Form 10-K report beginning on page 1.  Information required by the Securities Exchange Act Industry Guide No. 2 can be found in the Supplemental Oil and Gas Information section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K on pages F-49 to F-62 and in Note E – Property, Plant and Equipment beginning on page F-16.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Present corporate office, length of service in office and age at February 1, 2016 of each of the Company’s executive officers are reported in the following listing.  Executive officers are elected annually, but may be removed from office at any time by the Board of Directors.

 

Roger W. Jenkins – Age 54; Chief Executive Officer since August 2013.  Mr. Jenkins served as Chief Operating Officer from June 2012 to August 2013.  Mr. Jenkins was Executive Vice President Exploration and Production from August 2009 through August 2013 and has served as President of the Company’s exploration and production subsidiary since January 2009.

 

Walter K. Compton – Age 53; Executive Vice President and General Counsel since February 2014.  Mr. Compton was Senior Vice President and General Counsel from March 2011 to February 2014.  He was Vice President, Law from February 2009 to February 2011.

 

John W. Eckart – Age 57; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2015.  Mr. Eckart was Senior Vice President and Controller from December 2011 to March 2015.

 

Keith Caldwell – Age 54, Senior Vice President and Controller since March 2015.  Mr. Caldwell was Vice President, Finance from April 2010 to March 2015.

 

Kelli M. Hammock – Age 44; Senior Vice President, Administration since February 2014.  Ms. Hammock was Vice President, Administration from December 2009 to February 2014.

 

K. Todd Montgomery – Age 51; Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning & Services since March 2015.  Mr. Montgomery served as Vice President, Corporate Planning & Services from February 2014 to March 2015.

 

E. Ted Botner – Age 51; Vice President, Law and Secretary since March 2015.  Mr. Botner was Secretary and Manager, Law from August 2013 to March 2015.

 

Tim F. Butler – Age 53; Vice President, Tax since August 2013.  Mr. Butler was General Manager, Worldwide Taxation from August 2007 to August 2013.

 

John B. Gardner – Age 47; Vice President and Treasurer since March 2015.  Mr. Gardner served as Treasurer from August 2013 to March 2015.

 

Barry F.R. Jeffery – Age 57; Vice President, Insurance, Security and Risk since July 2015.  Mr. Jeffery was

Vice-President, Investor Relations from August 2013 to July 2015.

 

Allan J. Misner – Age 49; Vice President, Internal Audit since February 2014.  Mr. Misner served as Director, Internal Audit from 2007 to 2014.

 

Kelly L. Whitley – Age 50; Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications since July 2015.  Ms. Whitley joined the Company in 2015 following 20 years of investor relations experience with exploration and production as well as oil field services companies in the U.S. and Canada.

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Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Murphy and its subsidiaries are engaged in a number of other legal proceedings, all of which Murphy considers routine and incidental to its business.  Based on information currently available to the Company, the ultimate resolution of matters referred to in this item is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net income or loss, financial condition or liquidity in a future period.

 

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange using “MUR” as the trading symbol.  There were 2,713 stockholders of record as of December 31, 2015.  Information as to high and low market prices per share and dividends per share by quarter for 2015 and 2014 are reported on page F-63 of this Form 10-K report.

 

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SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION

 

 

The following graph presents a comparison of cumulative five-year shareholder returns (including the reinvestment of dividends) as if a $100 investment was made on December 31, 2010 for the Company, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500 Index) and the NYSE Arca Oil Index.  This performance information is “furnished” by the Company and is not considered as “filed” with this Form 10-K report and it is not incorporated into any document that incorporates this Form 10-K report by reference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

Murphy Oil Corporation is a worldwide oil and gas exploration and production company.  A more detailed description of the Company’s significant assets can be found in Item 1 of this Form 10-K report.

 

Significant Company operating and financial highlights during 2015 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company decommissioned the Milford Haven refinery units and completed the sale of its remaining downstream assets in the U.K. in the second quarter of 2015 for cash proceeds of $5.5 million.  The Company has accounted for this U.K. downstream business as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

On August 30, 2013, the Company completed the separation of its former U.S. retail marketing business by distributing all common shares of this business to Murphy Oil’s shareholders.

 

Both the U.S. and U.K. downstream businesses are reported as discontinued operations within the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Additionally, the Company includes U.K. oil and gas operations, which were sold in a series of transactions in the first half of 2013, as discontinued operations.

 

Murphy’s continuing operations generate revenue by producing crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and natural gas in the United States, Canada and Malaysia and then selling these products to customers.  The Company’s revenue is highly affected by the prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGL.  In order to make a profit and generate cash in its exploration and production business, revenue generated from the sales of oil and natural gas produced must exceed the combined costs of producing these products, depreciation of capital expenditures, and expenses related to exploration, administration, and for capital borrowed from lending institutions and note holders.

 

Changes in the price of crude oil and natural gas have a significant impact on the profitability of the Company, especially the price of crude oil as oil represented 61% of total hydrocarbons produced on an energy equivalent basis (one barrel of crude oil equals six thousand cubic feet of natural gas) in 2015.  In 2016, the Company’s ratio of hydrocarbon production represented by oil is expected to be essentially the same as 2015.  When oil-price linked natural gas in Malaysia is combined with oil production, the Company’s 2016 total expected production is approximately 70% linked to the price of oil.  If the prices for crude oil and natural gas remains weak in 2016 or beyond, this will have an unfavorable impact on the Company’s operating profits.  As described on page 51, the Company has entered into fixed price derivative swap contracts in the United States that will reduce its exposure to changes in crude oil prices for approximately 42% of its 2016 U.S. oil production and holds forward delivery contracts that will reduce its exposure to changes in natural gas prices for approximately 28% of the natural gas it expects to produce in Western Canada in 2016.

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Oil prices and North American natural gas prices weakened in 2015 compared to the 2014 period.  The sales price for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged $48.80 in 2015, $93.00 in 2014 and $98.00 in 2013.  The sales price for a barrel of Platts Dated Brent crude oil declined to $52.46 per barrel in 2015, following averages of $99.00 per barrel and $108.66 per barrel in 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Both the WTI index and Dated Brent experienced a 47% decrease in 2015.  During 2015 the discount for WTI crude compared to Dated Brent narrowed compared to the two prior years.  The WTI to Dated Brent discount was $3.66 per barrel during 2015, compared to $6.00 per barrel in 2014 and $10.61 per barrel in 2013.  In early 2016, Dated Brent has been trading near par or at a slight discount to WTI.  Worldwide oil prices began to weaken in the fall of 2014 and continued to soften throughout 2015.  The softening of prices beginning in late 2014 and continuing into 2015 caused average oil prices for both 2015 and 2014 periods to be below the average levels achieved in 2013.  The NYMEX natural gas price per million British Thermal Units (MMBTU) averaged $2.61 in 2015, $4.33 in 2014 and $3.73 in 2013.  NYMEX natural gas prices in 2015 were  40% below the average price in 2014, with the price decrease generally caused by domestic production elevating inventories to record levels and a much warmer than normal fourth quarter reducing residential demand. NYMEX natural gas prices in 2014 were 16% above the average price experienced in 2013, with the price increase generally caused by colder average winter season temperatures in North America in the later year.  On an energy equivalent basis, the market continued to discount North American natural gas and NGL compared to crude oil in 2015.  Crude oil prices in early 2016 have been significantly below the 2015 average prices, and natural gas prices in North America in 2016 have thus far been below the 2015  levels due to excess supply partially due to warmer than normal temperatures across much of the Northern U.S. during the early winter season of 2015-2016.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Murphy Oil’s results of operations, with associated diluted earnings per share (EPS), for the last three years are presented in the following table.

 

 

 

 

 

Murphy Oil’s net loss in 2015 was primarily caused by impairment expense to reduce the carrying value of certain properties in the Gulf of Mexico, Western Canada and Malaysia, lower realized sales prices for oil and natural gas, lower oil and natural gas sales volumes, and the costs of exiting deepwater rig contracts in the Gulf of Mexico.    Results of continuing operations in 2015 were $3,280.8 million worse than 2014 and included a $218.8 million after-tax gain on sale of 10% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia.  Results in 2014 included a $321.4 million after-tax gain on sale of 20% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia.  Excluding this gain in Malaysia from both years,  results from continuing operations in 2015 were $3,178.2 million below the prior year, primarily due to the reasons mentioned above.  In 2015 and 2014, the Company’s U.K. refining and marketing operations generated losses of $14.8 million and $120.6 million, respectively, which led to overall losses from discontinued operations in each year.

 

The Company’s net income in 2014 was 19% lower than 2013, primarily due to an unfavorable variance in the results of discontinued operations between years.  In August 2013, the Company distributed to its shareholders through a spin-off transaction all of the U.S. retail marketing operations.  This business generated after-tax income of $134.8 million in 2013.  Additionally, in early 2013, the Company sold all of its U.K. oil and gas assets, which including a gain on the disposal, generated income of $219.8 million in 2013.  In 2014 and 2013, the Company’s U.K. refining and marketing operations generated losses of $120.6 million and $119.2 million, respectively.  Income from continuing operations in 2014 exceeded 2013 results by 15% and included a $321.4 million after-tax gain on sale of 20% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia.  Excluding this gain in Malaysia, profits from continuing operations in 2014 were $184.5 million below the prior year, primarily due to lower average realized oil sales prices during 2014 compared to 2013.

 

Further explanations of each of these variances are found in more detail in the following sections.

 

2015 vs. 2014 – Net loss in 2015 totaled $2,270.8 million ($13.03 per diluted share) compared to 2014 net income of $905.6 million ($5.03 per diluted share).  Continuing operations results in 2015 were significantly weaker,  recording a loss of  $2,255.8 million ($12.94 per diluted share), while 2014 had income of $1,025.0 million ($5.69 per diluted share).  The 2015 unfavorable variance for results of continuing operations was primarily associated with impairment expense, lower realized sales prices for oil and natural gas, lower oil and natural gas sales volumes, costs of existing deepwater rig contracts in the Gulf of Mexico, a  deferred tax charge associated with a distribution from a foreign subsidiary,  and lower after-tax gains generated from sale of oil and gas assets in Malaysia, partially offset by higher unrealized gains on crude oil contracts.  Lower oil and gas production volumes and lower costs for services led to lower overall extraction costs in 2015.  The 2015 results were also favorably affected by higher foreign exchange gains and lower overall administrative costs.  The results of discontinued operations were a loss of $15.0 million ($0.09 per diluted share) in 2015 compared to a loss of $119.4 million ($0.66 per diluted share) in 2014.  The prior year’s results for discontinued operations included an impairment charge associated with its Milford Haven, Wales refinery, partially offset by a gain on disposition of the U.K. retail marketing fuel stations in the prior year.

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Sales and other operating revenues in 2015 were $2.5 billion below 2014 due to both weaker oil and natural sales prices and lower oil and natural gas sales volumes in the current year compared to the prior year.  Average crude oil sales prices and North American natural gas sales prices realized in 2015 fell by 45%  and 37%, respectively, compared to the prior year and sales volumes fell by approximately 7% in 2015 on a barrel of oil equivalent basis.  Realized oil prices were significantly lower in 2015 due to an oversupply of crude oil available on a worldwide scale.  The decrease in sales volumes was mostly attributable to the late 2014 and early 2015 sale of a combined 30% interest in its Malaysia assets nearly offset by growth in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas and higher production from the Tupper area in Western Canada.  Gain on sale of assets was $15.3 million higher in 2015, primarily associated with a pretax gain of $155.1 million generated on sale of 10% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia compared to $144.8 million gain on sale of 20% in 2014.  Interest and other income in 2015 was $43.6 million above 2014 levels primarily due to higher profits realized on changes in foreign exchange rates during the current year.  Lease operating expenses declined $257.6 million in 2015 compared to 2014 essentially due to sale of interests in Malaysia, lower service costs, cost saving initiatives and a lower average foreign exchange rate in Canada.  Severance and ad valorem taxes decreased by $41.4 million in 2015 primarily due to lower average realized sales prices for oil and natural gas volumes in the United States.  Exploration expenses were $42.7 million less than the prior year primarily due to lower geological and geophysical costs and lower exploration costs in other foreign areas.  Selling and general expenses in 2015 decreased by nearly 16% from 2014 as the Company implemented key organizational changes including lowering staffing levels by over 20% from end of the prior year.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses fell by $286.4 million due to both lower volume sold and lower per-unit capital amortization rates.  Impairment expense associated with asset writedowns increased by $2.4 billion primarily due to the significant decline in current and future oil prices during 2015 resulting in writedowns of assets in the Seal heavy oil field in Western Canada and oil and natural gas fields offshore Malaysia and deepwater Gulf of Mexico.  The deepwater rig contract exit costs of $282.0 million are for two deepwater rigs that were under contract in the Gulf of Mexico.  These rigs were stacked before their contract expiration dates and the remaining obligations owed in 2016 under the contracts were expensed in 2015.  Interest expense in 2015 was $11.8 million lower than 2014 due principally to lower average borrowing levels in the 2015 period.  Interest costs capitalized decreased by $13.3 million in 2015 due to fewer ongoing development projects in the current period.  Other operating expense was $53.7 million higher in the current year primarily due to recording estimated costs of remediating a site at the Seal field in a remote area of Alberta.  Income tax benefits in 2015 were $1.0 billion compared to expense of $227.3 million in the prior year.  The benefits reported in 2015 were the result of large pre-tax losses, a significant portion of which is related to impairments in the current period, no local income taxes owed on the Malaysia sale, and deferred tax benefit on the sale due to the purchaser assuming certain future tax payment obligations, offset in part by a deferred tax charge in the U.S. associated with a $2.0 billion distribution from a foreign subsidiary to its parent in December 2015.  The effective tax rate in 2015 was 31.3% up from 18.2% in 2014.  The 2014 period benefited from Malaysia tax benefits upon sale of 20% interest and higher U.S. tax benefits on foreign exploration areas. 

 

2014 vs. 2013 – Net income in 2014 totaled $905.6 million ($5.03 per diluted share) compared to 2013 net income of $1,123.5 million ($5.94 per diluted share).  Income from continuing operations increased in 2014, amounting to $1,025.0 million ($5.69 per diluted share), while 2013 amounted to $888.1 million ($4.69 per diluted share).  The 2014 increase for continuing operations was primarily associated with a $321.4 million after-tax gain generated from sale of 20% of oil and gas assets in Malaysia.  Additionally, the Company’s earnings in 2014 benefited from sale of 10% more oil and 5% more natural gas compared to 2013, but the average realized sales price for crude oil was 8% lower in 2014 compared to 2013.  Higher oil and gas production volumes led to higher overall extraction costs in 2014, plus the significant weakening of oil and gas prices in late 2014 led to higher impairment expense compared to 2013.  Net interest expense was higher in 2014 compared to 2013 due to a combination of more borrowings and lower amounts capitalized to oil and gas development projects.  The 2014 results were favorably affected by slightly higher tax benefits associated with foreign exploration activities and lower overall administrative costs.  The results of discontinued operations were a loss of $119.4 million ($0.66 per diluted share) in 2014 compared to earnings of $235.4 million ($1.25 per diluted share) in 2013.  The results for discontinued operations in 2013 included a $216.1 million after-tax gain on sale of U.K. oil and gas properties as well as profitable operating results of $134.8 million from U.S. retail marketing operations that were spun-off to shareholders in August 2013.  The losses generated by U.K. refining and marketing operations were similar in both years.

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Sales and other operating revenues in 2014 were $23.8 million below 2013 as higher oil and natural gas sales volumes in the later year were more than offset by weaker oil sales prices compared to 2013.  Sales volumes grew by 8.5% in 2014 on a barrel of oil equivalent basis, but average crude oil sales prices realized in 2014 fell by 8% compared to 2013.  The overall increase in sales volumes was mostly attributable to growth in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas.  Oil prices declined sharply in late 2014 due to an oversupply of crude oil available on a worldwide scale.  Gain on sale of assets was $139.0 million higher in 2014, primarily associated with a pretax gain of $144.8 million generated on sale of 20% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia in December 2014.  Interest and other income in 2014 was $29.2 million below 2013 levels primarily due to lower profits realized on changes in foreign exchange rates during the later year.  Lease operating expenses declined $162.9 million in 2014 compared to 2013 essentially due to nonrecurring costs in the earlier year upon shut down of oil production operations in Republic of the Congo.  Severance and ad valorem taxes increased by $19.9 million in 2014 caused by higher volume of oil produced and a higher well count in the Eagle Ford Shale.  Exploration expenses increased $11.4 million in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to higher amortization costs associated with Eagle Ford Shale leaseholds.  Higher costs in 2014 for exploratory drilling were mostly offset by lower seismic costs compared to 2013.  Selling and general expense was reduced by $15.2 million in 2014 compared to the prior year mostly related to nonrecurring costs in 2013 associated with the spin-off of the U.S. retail marketing business to shareholders.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense rose $352.9 million in 2014 due to both higher overall oil and natural gas production levels and higher per-unit capital amortization rates in areas where production growth was achieved.  Impairment expense associated with asset writedowns increased $29.7 million in 2014 primarily due to non-recoverability of goodwill for conventional operations in Canada that was originally recorded in association with an oil and gas company acquisition in 2000.  Accretion expense increased $1.8 million in 2014 primarily due to added levels of discounted asset retirement liabilities associated with development drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.  Interest expense in 2014 was $12.0 million more than the prior year due to higher average borrowing levels compared to 2013.  Interest costs capitalized in 2014 were $31.9 million below 2013 levels due to fewer ongoing oil development projects during the later year.  Other operating expense was $24.9 million in 2014 and primarily included costs associated with write-down of materials inventory in Malaysia.  Income tax expense was $357.3 million lower in 2014 compared to 2013 due to a combination of deferred tax benefits associated with the sale of Malaysia assets and sanction of a development in Block H Malaysia, larger U.S. tax benefits related to exploration losses in foreign areas where the Company has completed operations and exited the area, and lower overall pretax earnings.  As to the Malaysia sale, no local income taxes were owed and a deferred tax benefit arose due to the purchaser assuming certain future tax payment obligations.  The effective tax rate in 2014 was 18.2%, down from 39.7% in 2013.  The Malaysian tax benefits upon sale of 20% interest, combined with higher U.S. tax benefits on foreign exploration areas led to an effective tax rate for the Company in 2014 below the 35.0% U.S. statutory tax rate.

 

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Segment Results – In the following table, the Company’s results of operations for the three years ended December 31, 2015, are presented by segment.  More detailed reviews of operating results for the Company’s exploration and production and other activities follow the table.

 

 

 

 

Exploration and Production  – Exploration and production (E&P) continuing operations recorded a loss of $2,010.9 million in 2015 compared to earnings of $1,189.8 million in 2014 and $1,028.8 million in 2013.  Results from exploration and production operations decreased $3,200.7 million in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to impairment expense, lower realized sales prices for oil and natural gas, lower oil and natural gas sales volumes, deepwater rig contract exit costs and lower after-tax gains on sale of interests in Malaysia, offset in part by lower extraction costs and lower selling and general expenses.  Crude oil sales prices fell during 2015 in all areas of the Company’s operations, and crude oil price realizations averaged $47.99 per barrel in the current year compared to $87.23 per barrel in 2014, a price drop of 45% year on year.  North America natural gas sales prices and Malaysia natural gas sold at Sarawak fell 37% and 26%, respectively, compared to 2014.  Oil and gas extraction costs, including associated production taxes, on a per-unit basis, improved by 13% in 2015 and, together with lower oil and natural gas volumes sold, resulted in $588.6 million in lower costs.

 

Compared to 2014, total sales volumes in 2015 for crude oil and natural gas fell 9% and 4%, respectively, while natural gas liquids sales volumes rose 8%.    Oil sale volumes were lower primarily due to the sale of 30% of its interests in Malaysia over December 2014 and January 2015, partially offset by production growth in the Eagle Ford Shale and new fields brought on-stream in Malaysia in 2014.  Natural gas liquid sales volumes increased due to growth in Eagle Ford Shale.  Natural gas sales volumes fell primarily due to the decline in Malaysia resulting from the sale of 30% of the Company’s interest and were nearly offset by 26% increase in Canada due to new wells in 2015 and in the second half of 2014 and improved recovery techniques.  Heavy oil sales volumes in the Seal area of Canada were lower in 2015 due to well decline and uneconomic wells being shut-in.  Also, more downtime for synthetic oil operations led to slightly lower sales volumes in the just completed year.  Lease operating expenses declined $257.6 million in 2015 compared to 2014 essentially due to sale of interests in Malaysia, lower service costs, cost saving initiatives and a lower average foreign exchange rate in Canada.  Severance and ad valorem taxes decreased by $41.4 million in 2015 primarily due to lower average realized sales prices for oil and natural gas volumes in the United States.  Exploration expenses were $42.7 million less than the prior year primarily due to lower geological and geophysical costs and lower exploration costs in other foreign areas.  Selling and general expenses decreased by 16% over 2014 as the Company implemented key organizational changes including lowering staffing levels by 20% from the end of the prior year.  Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense fell by $289.6 million due to both lower volume sold and lower per-unit capital amortization rates.  Impairment expense associated with asset writedowns was approximately $2.5 billion in 2015 compared to $51 million in 2014.  The increase is primarily due to the significant decline in current and future oil prices during 2015 resulting in writedowns of assets in the Seal heavy oil field in Western Canada, and oil and natural gas fields offshore Malaysia and deepwater Gulf of Mexico.  The deepwater rig contract exit costs of $282.0 million are for two deepwater rigs that were under contract in the Gulf of Mexico and were stacked before their contract expiration dates.  The remaining obligations owed in 2016 under the rig contracts were expensed in 2015.  Other operating expense was $53.7 million higher in the current year primarily due to recording estimated costs of remediating a site at the Seal field in a remote area of Alberta.  Income tax benefits in 2015 were $1.1 billion compared to expense of $285.7 million in the prior year.  The benefits reported in 2015 were result of large pre-tax losses, a significant portion of which is related to impairments in the current period, plus no local income taxes owed on the Malaysia sale and a deferred tax benefit due to the purchaser assuming certain future tax payment obligations.  The effective tax rate in 2015 was 35.6% up from 19.4% in 2014.  The 2014 period benefited from Malaysia tax benefits upon sale of 20% interest and higher U.S. tax benefits on foreign exploration areas.

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E&P income from continuing operations increased $161.0 million in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to an after-tax gain of $321.4 million on sale of 20% of the Company’s interest in Malaysia in late 2014.  Excluding this gain in Malaysia, E&P earnings declined $160.4 million in 2014, essentially due to lower margins realized on oil sales.  The margin decline was attributable to lower average crude oil sales prices in 2014.  Crude oil sales prices fell during 2014 in all areas of the Company’s operations, and crude oil price realizations averaged $87.23 per barrel compared to $94.96 per barrel in 2013, a price drop of 8% year on year.  Oil and gas extraction costs, including associated production taxes, were slightly lower on a per-unit basis, but increased overall by $210.8 million due to higher combined total oil and gas sales volumes of 8.5% during 2014.  Compared to 2013, total sales volumes in 2014 for crude oil rose 6%, while natural gas liquids sales volumes rose 213% and natural gas sales volumes rose 5%.  These 2014 increases in crude oil and gas liquids sales volumes were primarily associated with growth in operations in the Eagle Ford Shale, while natural gas volumes increased due to both Eagle Ford Shale drilling and start-up of the Dalmatian field in the Gulf of Mexico.  Crude oil sales volumes offshore Sarawak Malaysia increased in 2014 due to a full year of production from new oil fields brought online in 2013.  Crude oil sales volumes in 2014 offshore Block K Malaysia were less than 2013 due to lower production at the Kikeh field coupled with an underlift of sales volumes based on timing of the Company’s cargo sales.  Heavy oil sales volumes in Canada were lower in 2014 due to well decline in the Seal area.  Also, more downtime for synthetic oil operations led to lower sales volumes in 2014.  The final cargo sale in Republic of the Congo occurred in early 2013 and the field has been abandoned.  The Company brought on new natural gas wells in the Tupper area of Western Canada in the second half of 2014, but these new gas volumes did not fully offset production decline at other gas wells in the area during the full year 2014.  Lease operating expenses were $163.0 million lower in 2014 primarily due to no repeat of 2013 costs associated with the now abandoned Azurite field in Republic of the Congo.  Excluding the costs in Republic of the Congo, lease operating expenses increased by $28.0 million in 2014, primarily due to higher oil and gas production levels in the Eagle Ford Shale area.  Severance and ad valorem taxes increased $19.9 million in 2014 compared to the prior year due to continued growth in production volumes and well count in the Eagle Ford Shale.  Depreciation expense for E&P operations increased $353.9 million in 2014 due to higher overall production levels and capital amortization rates above the Company’s average for new production added in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Malaysia.  Accretion expense related to discounted asset retirement obligations increased $1.8 million as expense associated with new wells in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Malaysia was only partially offset by the favorable effect of settling abandonment obligations in Republic of the Congo.  Asset impairment expense of $51.3 million in 2014 was higher by $29.7 million; significantly weaker oil and gas prices at year-end 2014 led to writedown of a natural gas field in the Gulf of Mexico and writeoff of goodwill associated with an oil and gas company acquired in 2000 in Western Canada.  Exploration expense was $11.4 million higher in 2014 due to larger amortization costs associated with dropping remote undeveloped leases in the Eagle Ford Shale.  Additionally, the Company had increased costs in 2014 for exploratory wells drilled in an earlier year in the Gulf of Mexico and Malaysia that were expensed due to significantly lower natural gas prices and denial of a requested gas holding period extension, respectively.  This was partially offset by lower seismic costs incurred in 2014 in Southeast Asia.  Selling and general expenses for E&P operations increased $41.1 million in 2014 compared to the prior year due to higher overall staffing levels and less costs recovered from partners in Malaysia due to fewer development activities ongoing during 2014.  Other expenses were $24.9 million in 2014 and primarily related to writedown in value of materials inventory associated with Malaysia operations.  Income tax expense for E&P operations in 2014 was $370.6 million below 2013 levels due to lower pretax earnings, a benefit related to future tax liabilities assumed by the purchaser of 20% of assets in Malaysia, a benefit associated with sanction of a development plan in Block H Malaysia, and higher U.S. tax benefits in 2014 associated with foreign operations that were exited.

 

The results of operations for oil and gas producing activities for each of the last three years are shown by major operating areas on pages F-59 and F-60 of this Form 10-K report.

 

 

A summary of oil and gas revenues is presented in the following table.

 

 

 

 

 

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The following table contains selected operating statistics for the three years ended December 31, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

1  Natural gas converted at a 6:1 ratio.

2  At December 31.

 

 

 

 

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The Company’s total crude oil and condensate production averaged 126,400 barrels per day in 2015, compared to 142,408 barrels per day in 2014 and 131,515 barrels per day in 2013.  The 2015 crude oil production level was 11%  below 2014.  On a pro-forma basis, assuming the sale of 30% of the Company’s interest in Malaysia properties occurred at the beginning of 2014, total hydrocarbon production for 2015 increased 4% compared to the 2014 period as adjusted for the sale.  Crude oil production in the United States totaled 61,119 barrels per day in 2015, up from 59,900 barrels per day in 2014.    The 2% increase in U.S. crude oil production year over year was primarily related to additional wells brought on production as part of an ongoing development drilling and completion program at Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas.  Heavy crude oil production in Western Canada fell from 7,411 barrels per day in 2014 to 5,341 barrels per day in 2015, with the reduction attributable to wells shut-in due to economic conditions and natural well performance decline in the Seal area.  Crude oil volumes produced offshore Eastern Canada totaled 7,421 barrels per day in 2015, off from 8,758 barrels per day in the previous year due to less production at Hibernia field primarily due to planned maintenance in 2015.  Synthetic crude oil production volume in Canada was 11,699 barrels per day in 2015 compared to 11,997 barrels per day in 2014 due to impacts of unplanned outages offset in part by lower Canadian royalty rates.  Crude oil production offshore Sarawak decreased from 20,274 barrels per day in 2014 to 15,249 barrels per day in 2015.  Block K in Malaysia had crude oil production of 25,456 barrels per day in 2015, down from 34,021 barrels per day in 2014.  Lower oil production in 2015 in Malaysia was primarily attributable to impacts from the sale of 30% of the Company’s total interest offset in part by production from new fields brought on-stream in 2014.

 

Crude oil production in 2014 totaled 142,408 barrels per day compared to 131,515 barrels per day in 2013.  The 2014 crude oil production level was a Company record and 8% above 2013.  Crude oil production in the United States totaled 59,900 barrels per day in 2014, up from 45,523 barrels per day in 2013.  The 32% increase in U.S. crude oil production year over year was a U.S. record for the Company and was primarily related to increased volumes produced in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas.  The Company’s Eagle Ford Shale drilling program utilized an average of almost eight drilling rigs during 2014.  U.S. production also benefited in 2014 from start-up of the Dalmatian field in the Gulf of Mexico.  Heavy crude oil production in Western Canada fell from 9,123 barrels per day in 2013 to 7,411 barrels per day in 2014, with the reduction attributable to well performance decline in the Seal area.  Crude oil volumes produced offshore Eastern Canada totaled 8,758 barrels per day in 2014, off from 9,099 barrels per day in the previous year as well decline at Hibernia was not fully offset by the benefit of less 2014 downtime at Terra Nova.  Synthetic crude oil production volume was 11,997 barrels per day in 2014 compared to 12,886 barrels per day in 2013 due to the latter year experiencing greater levels of downtime for repairs.  Crude oil production offshore Sarawak increased from 10,323 barrels per day in 2013 to 20,274 barrels per day in 2014; the Company brought several new fields online during 2013 which provided a full year of production in 2014.  Block K in Malaysia had crude oil production of 34,021 barrels per day in 2014, down from 42,808 barrels per day in 2013.  Both the Kakap main field and the Siakap field came on stream during 2014, but this partial year production did not fully offset lower production at the Kikeh field.  The Kikeh field had lower production in 2014 due to a combination of an outage for hook-up of the Siakap field, a facility fire early in the year, and normal well decline.  Prior to going off production in early 2013, the Azurite field produced 1,046 barrels of crude oil per day. Additionally, discontinued fields in the U.K. that were all sold in early 2013 provided crude oil production of 648 barrels per day.

 

The Company produced natural gas liquids (NGL) of 10,234 barrels per day in 2015, up from 9,239 barrels per day in 2014.  The higher NGL volumes of 995 barrels per day in the current year were mostly attributable to the increase of 1,780 barrels per day in the Eagle Ford Shale partially offset by well decline in Gulf of Mexico and the sale of 30% of its interests in Malaysia.

 

The Company produced NGL of 9,239 barrels per day in 2014, up from 3,563 barrels per day in 2013.  The higher NGL volumes of 5,676 barrels per day in 2014 were mostly attributable to increases of 3,714 barrels per day in the Eagle Ford Shale and 1,227 barrels per day associated with start-up of the Dalmatian field in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Worldwide sales of natural gas were 427.6 million cubic feet (MMCF) per day in 2015, compared to 446.0 MMCF per day in 2014 and 423.8 MMCF per day in 2013.  Natural gas sales volumes decreased in 2015, primarily due to the decline in Malaysia after the sale of 30% of the Company’s interests, offset in part by higher gas production volumes in the Dalmatian field in the Gulf of Mexico, Eagle Ford Shale area in South Texas and Tupper area in Western Canada.  Natural gas sales volumes in Canada improved from 156.5 MMCF per day in 2014 to 196.8 MMCF per day in 2015 due to wells added during 2015 and in the second half of 2014 and improved recovery techniques.  At the Company’s fields offshore Sarawak Malaysia, gas production decreased from 168.7 MMCF per day in 2014 to 121.7 MMCF per day in 2015 due to sale of 30% interest in Malaysian properties.  Natural gas sales volumes from Block K offshore Malaysia were 21.8 MMCF per day in 2015, down from 32.3 MMCF per day in 2014 due to the sale of 30% of the Company’s interests and higher downtime at the third party receiving facility.

 

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Worldwide sales of natural gas were 446.0 million cubic feet (MMCF) per day in 2014, compared to 423.8 MMCF per day in 2013.  Significant development drilling in the Eagle Ford Shale and start-up of the Dalmatian field in the Gulf of Mexico drove up U.S. natural gas sales volumes from 53.2 MMCF per day in 2013 to 88.5 MMCF per day in 2014.  Natural gas sales volumes in Canada fell from 175.4 MMCF per day in 2013 to 156.5 MMCF per day in 2014 as decline at existing wells in the Tupper area of British Columbia were not fully offset by gas volumes produced at new wells brought on line during 2014.  At the Company’s fields offshore Sarawak Malaysia, gas production increased from 164.7 MMCF per day in 2013 to 168.7 MMCF per day in 2014 due to higher customer demand in the later year.  Natural gas sales volumes from Block K offshore Malaysia were 32.3 MMCF per day in 2014, up from 29.7 MMCF per day in 2013 due to higher demand from the third party receiving facility.

 

The following table contains the weighted average sales prices for the three years ended December 31, 2015.

 

 

 

1 U.S. dollar equivalent.

2 Prices are net of payments under the terms of the respective production sharing contracts.

 

 

The Company’s average worldwide realized sales price for crude oil and condensate from continuing operations was $47.99 per barrel in 2015 compared to $87.23 per barrel in 2014 and $94.90 per barrel in 2013.

 

The average realized crude oil sales price was 45% lower in 2015 compared to the prior year.  West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged 48% less in 2015.  Dated Brent and Kikeh oil each sold for approximately 47% less in 2015, while Light Louisiana Sweet crude oil sold at 46% below 2014 levels.  The average realized sales prices for U.S. crude oil and condensate amounted to $47.84 per barrel in 2015, 47% lower than 2014.  Heavy oil produced in Canada brought $23.28 per barrel in 2015, a 57%  decrease from 2014, as a result of lower worldwide benchmark prices in the current year.  The average sales price for crude oil produced offshore Eastern Canada declined 47% to $50.54 per barrel in 2015.  The average realized sales price for the Company’s synthetic crude oil was $47.56 per barrel in 2015 down 47% from the prior year.  Crude oil sold in Malaysia averaged $50.98 per barrel in 2015, 41% lower than in 2014.

 

The average realized crude oil sales price for continuing operations was 8% lower in 2014 compared to 2013.  Although West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged 5% less in 2014, other indices on which the Company sells crude oil fell more compared to the prior year.  Dated Brent and Kikeh oil each sold for 9% less in 2014, while Light Louisiana Sweet crude oil sold at 11% below 2013 levels.  The average realized sales prices for U.S. crude oil and condensate amounted to $90.79 per barrel in 2014, 11% lower than 2013.  Heavy oil produced in Canada brought $54.18 per barrel in 2014, a 16% increase from 2013, as a reduction in the discount for heavy oil in 2014 more than offset the impact of lower worldwide benchmark prices in the current year.  The average sales price for

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crude oil produced offshore Eastern Canada declined 12% to $95.95 per barrel in 2014.  The average realized sales price for the Company’s synthetic crude oil was $89.51 per barrel in 2014 down 7% from the prior year.  Crude oil sold in Malaysia averaged $85.85 per barrel in 2014, 9% lower than in 2013.    

 

The average sales price for natural gas liquids (NGL) was also lower in 2015 than 2014.  These NGL prices are generally weak compared to the comparable heating value of crude oil, primarily due to an oversupply of NGL with the recent drilling growth in U.S. shale plays exceeding refinery and other demand for this product.  NGL was sold in the U.S. for an average of $11.55 per barrel in 2015, down 57% from the average price of $26.83 per barrel in 2014.  NGL produced in Malaysia in 2015 was sold for an average of $50.55 per barrel, 33% below the 2014 average of $75.18 per barrel.

 

The average sales price for NGL was lower in 2014 than 2013.  NGL was sold in the U.S. for an average of $26.83 per barrel in 2014, down 11% from the average price of $30.31 per barrel in 2013.  NGL produced in Malaysia in 2014 was sold for an average of $75.18 per barrel, 26% below the 2013 average of $101.40 per barrel.

 

North American natural gas prices were weaker in 2015 than 2014, essentially driven by record inventory levels and a  warmer than normal fourth quarter in the current year.  The average posted price at Henry Hub in Louisiana was $2.61 per million British Thermal Units (MMBTU) in 2015 compared to $4.33 per MMBTU in 2014 and $3.72 per MMBTU in 2013.  In 2015, U.S. natural gas was sold at an average of $2.31 per thousand cubic feet (MCF), a 42%  decrease compared to 2014.  Natural gas sold in Canada averaged $2.35 per MCF in 2015, down 35% from 2014.  Natural gas sold in 2015 from Sarawak Malaysia averaged $4.23 per MCF, down 26% from the prior year.

 

North American natural gas prices were stronger in 2014 than 2013, essentially driven by higher gas energy demand due to an extremely cold winter season on the continent.  The average posted price at Henry Hub in Louisiana was $4.34 per MMBTU in 2014 compared to $3.72 per MMBTU in 2013.  In 2014, U.S. natural gas was sold at an average of $3.98 per thousand cubic feet (MCF), a 4% increase compared to 2013.  Natural gas sold in Canada averaged $3.60 per MCF in 2014, up 17% from 2013.  Natural gas sold in 2014 from Sarawak Malaysia averaged $5.71 per MCF, down 14% from the prior year.

 

Based on 2015 sales volumes and deducting taxes at statutory rates, each $1.00 per barrel oil sales price fluctuation and $0.10 per MCF gas sales price fluctuation would have affected 2015 earnings from exploration and production continuing operations by $30.6 million and $10.6 million, respectively.

 

Production-related expenses for continuing exploration and production operations during the last three years are shown in the following table.

 

 

 

 

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Cost per equivalent barrel sold for these production-related expenses are shown by geographical area in the following table.

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses totaled $832.3 million in 2015, compared to $1,089.9 million in 2014 and $1,252.9 million in 2013.  Lease operating expense per equivalent barrel in the Eagle Ford Shale decreased nearly $1.00 on a per-unit basis due to lower service costs, cost-saving initiatives and higher volume produced.  Gulf of Mexico cost per barrel declined $2.31 per equivalent barrel due to lower fixed charges for third party processing facility at Thunder  Hawk, additional third-party cost sharing at the Thunder  Hawk and Front Runner fields, cost saving initiatives, and lower major repairs, partially offset by lower volumes produced.  Lease operating expense for conventional operations in Canada improved in 2015 due to lower costs in the Seal heavy oil area, increased cost sharing for third party processing in the Tupper area and a lower Canadian dollar exchange rate.  Synthetic oil operations costs per barrel decreased by $14.51 per barrel primarily due to lower Canadian dollar exchange rate, cost savings efforts and lower power costs.  Operating expense in Block K decreased by $1.84 on a per-unit basis and benefited from higher volumes produced at the main Kakap field.

 

Lease operating expense per equivalent barrel in the Eagle Ford Shale was essentially flat in 2014 and 2013, while cost per barrel in the Gulf of Mexico declined in 2014 primarily due to higher production related to start-up of the Dalmatian field and lower fixed charges for a third party processing facility at Thunder Hawk.  Lease operating expense for conventional operations in Canada was down slightly in 2014 due mostly to a lower Canadian dollar exchange rate.  Lease operating expense per barrel for synthetic oil operations rose in 2014 compared to the prior year due to a combination of lower net production and higher maintenance and power costs.  Lease operating expense for Sarawak oil and gas operations declined in 2014 per barrel due to higher full-year 2014 volumes produced at oil fields which started up during 2013.  Block K operations had higher lease operating expense per barrel in 2014 due to overall lower production, but with a benefit from start-up of the main Kakap field in the second half of the year.

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Severance and ad valorem taxes totaled $65.8 million in 2015, $107.2 million in 2014 and $87.3 million in 2013.  Severance and ad valorem taxes in the United States in 2015 were lower primarily due to weaker average commodity prices in the Eagle Ford Shale.  On a per barrel equivalent basis, Eagle Ford Shale production taxes were less in 2014 than 2013 due to a lower mix of production value primarily caused by a larger increase in growth of lower value natural gas liquids in this area.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for continuing exploration and production operations totaled $1,607.9 million in 2015, $1,897.5 million in 2014 and $1,543.6 million in 2013.  The $289.6 million decrease in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to lower per-unit capital amortization rates and lower oil and natural gas volume sold.  Eagle Ford Shale rate per equivalent barrel decreased due to reserve additions and cost improvements on 2015 drilling activities.  The unit cost in the Gulf of Mexico decreased due to reserve additions, mix of production and lower unit rates due to impairment of assets.  Canada conventional operations rate per barrel of oil equivalent decreased in 2015 due to a lower Canadian dollar exchange rate, higher mix of production from the Tupper area and impairment of the Seal heavy oil field.  Depreciation per barrel in Sarawak improved in 2015 due to mix of production and the impairment of assets.

 

The $353.9 million increase in 2014 compared to 2013 was attributable to added production in areas that carried a higher overall capital amortization cost in 2014, in particular at Eagle Ford Shale, Dalmatian, Kakap main field and Siakap.  The rate per equivalent barrel in 2014 at Eagle Ford Shale declined due to the timing of reserves migration to the proved category and cost improvements achieved on later drilling activities.  The per barrel cost in the Gulf of Mexico increased in 2014 due to start-up of the Dalmatian field where costs early in the life of the field exceed the U.S. average due to the timing of migration of reserves to the proved category.  Canada conventional cost per barrel declined in 2014 mostly due to a lower Canadian dollar exchange rate compared to 2013.  Synthetic oil operations had a higher per barrel cost in 2014 due to straight-line depreciation costs for certain processing facilities being expensed over fewer production barrels.  Depreciation per barrel rose in 2014 for both Sarawak and Block K areas due to new field production carrying a higher capital amortization cost per unit compared to the more mature fields in these areas.

 

Exploration expenses for continuing operations for each of the last three years are shown in total in the following table, and amounts are reported by major operating area on pages F-59 and F-60 on this Form 10-K report.  Expenses other than undeveloped lease amortization are included in the capital expenditures total for exploration and production activities.

 

 

 

 

 

Dry hole expense in 2015 was $26.8 million more than 2014 primarily due to expensing of wells in the Gulf of Mexico, Australia and Malaysia.  Dry hole costs in the Gulf of  Mexico of $241.3 million were attributable to three unsuccessful wells in Mississippi Canyon and one well in Walker Ridge.  Dry hole costs in Malaysia of $29.7 million related to unsuccessful wildcat drilling in Blocks SK 2C and H.  Dry hole cost in other foreign areas

of $25.8 million is attributable to three unsuccessful wells in Block WA-481-P in Australia.  Geological and geophysical (G&G) expense was $49.6 million lower in 2015 primarily due to reduced spending in Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, Vietnam and Gulf of Mexico.  Other exploratory costs of $48.8 million in 2015 was down $20.9 million compared to 2014.  Exploration staff and office costs around the world were lower together with non-recurring costs in 2014 related to both a charge-off of shared drilling equipment improvement costs for a third-party rig that was released and a penalty associated with not drilling on a license in Indonesia.

 

Dry hole expense in 2014 was $7.1 million more than in 2013 primarily due to expensing prior-year wells in Malaysia and the Gulf of Mexico that had been previously suspended while development options were studied.  Dry hole costs in Malaysia of $47.4 million for these wells were attributable to government denial of a request to extend a gas holding period for Block PM 311, while the previously suspended Gulf of Mexico dry hole for $18.8 million was caused by low year-end 2014 natural gas prices.  The 2014 costs also included $103.9 million for an unsuccessful well in Cameroon.  These higher 2014 costs were partially offset by the costs of unsuccessful exploration drilling conducted in Australia in 2013.  G&G expense was $18.0 million lower in 2014 due to less spending in 2014 for seismic data covering exploration prospects in Southeast Asia.  Other exploratory costs were

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up $14.8 million in 2014 due to higher exploration staff and office costs in Southeast Asia, a charge-off in 2014 of shared drilling equipment improvement costs for a third-party rig that was released, and a penalty associated with an exploration well that was not drilled on a license in Indonesia.  Undeveloped lease amortization increased $7.5 million primarily due to higher amortization related to remote unproved lease acreage released in the Eagle Ford Shale, but partially offset by no repeat in 2014 of lease costs written off in 2013 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

 

Impairment expense in 2015 for E&P operations exceeded 2014 by $2,441.9 million.  The current year charge included significant noncash impairment expense of $2,493.2 million before tax and $1,660.0 million after-tax for producing heavy oil properties in Western Canada, producing offshore properties in Malaysia, and producing and non-producing properties in the Gulf of Mexico.    The 2015 impairments were the result of significant declines in current and future crude oil prices since the end of 2014.    Impairment expense in 2014 for E&P operations exceeded 2013 by 29.7 million.  The 2014 year charge included write-off of goodwill recorded in a business acquisition in Western Canada in 2000, and a writedown of one natural gas field in the Gulf of Mexico.  Both charges in 2014 were required due to the weakness in oil and natural gas prices, which retreated severely in late 2014.

 

The exploration and production business recorded expenses of $48.7 million in 2015, $50.8 million in 2014 and $49.0 million in 2013 for accretion on discounted abandonment liabilities.  Because the liability for future abandonment of wells and other facilities is carried on the balance sheet at a discounted fair value, accretion must be recorded annually so that the liability will be recorded at full value at the projected time of abandonment.  The $2.1 million decrease in 2015 primarily related to lower abandonment liabilities following the sale of 30% interest in Malaysia assets and a lower Canadian dollar exchange rate.  The $1.8 million increase in 2014 primarily related to development wells added in the Gulf of Mexico during the year.

 

The effective income tax rate for exploration and production continuing operations was 35.6% in 2015, 19.4% in 2014 and 38.9% in 2013.  The effective tax rate in 2015 was above the tax rate in 2014 and near the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35.0%.  The 2014 period included several items mentioned in the paragraph below that didn’t reoccur in 2015.

 

The effective tax rate in 2014 was well below the tax rates in 2013 and the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35.0% due primarily to tax benefits in foreign areas during 2014.  With the sale of 20% of the assets in Malaysia near year-end 2014, the purchaser assumed certain future Malaysian tax obligations, which essentially reduced the Company’s deferred tax liabilities by $176.6 million.  Additionally, the Company recognized a $65.4 million tax benefit during 2014 for past exploratory expenses incurred in Block H, where proved reserves were added at year-end 2014 related to a new field development plan.  Also, in 2014 the Company recognized U.S. income tax benefits of $95.9 million associated with investments in exploration operations in Cameroon, the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and one block in Australia, in areas where the Company is exiting.  Tax jurisdictions with no current tax benefit on expenses primarily include certain non-revenue generating areas in Malaysia as well as other foreign exploration areas in which the Company operates.  Each main exploration area in Malaysia is currently considered a distinct taxable entity and expenses in certain areas may not be used to offset revenues generated in other areas.  Through 2015, no tax benefits have thus far been recognized for costs incurred for Blocks PM 311/312, offshore Peninsular Malaysia, and Block SK 314A and Block SK 2C offshore Sarawak, Malaysia.

 

At December 31, 2015, 113.0 million barrels of the Company’s U.S. crude oil proved reserves, 14.7 million barrels of U.S. NGL proved reserves and 84.1 billion cubic feet of U.S. natural gas proved reserves were undeveloped.  Total proved undeveloped reserves represent 38% of total proved reserves on a barrel of oil equivalent basis as of December 31, 2015.  Approximately 94% of the total U.S. undeveloped reserves (on a barrel of oil equivalent basis) are associated with the Company’s Eagle Ford Shale operations in South Texas.  Further drilling and facility construction are generally required to move the undeveloped reserves in the Eagle Ford Shale area to developed.  The deepwaters of the Gulf of Mexico accounted for the remaining 6% of proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2015.  In the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, undeveloped natural gas proved reserves totaled 456.1 billion cubic feet, with the migration of these reserves, primarily in the Tupper and Tupper West areas, dependent on both development drilling and completion of processing and transportation facilities.  In Block K Malaysia, oil proved undeveloped reserves of 9.6 million barrels are primarily at the Kikeh field, where undeveloped proved oil reserves are subject to further drilling before being moved to developed.  Also in Malaysia, there were 365.1 billion cubic feet of undeveloped natural gas proved reserves at various offshore fields at year-end 2015.  These undeveloped natural gas reserves in Malaysia are mainly associated with Block H, where a development project commenced following sanction in 2014.  On a worldwide basis, the Company spent approximately $1.74 billion in 2015, $3.21 billion in 2014 and $3.40 billion in 2013 to develop proved reserves.

 

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Refining and Marketing – The Company has now transitioned to a fully independent oil and gas exploration and production company.  Murphy formerly had a significant U.S. and U.K. refining and marketing business.  On August 30, 2013, the Company spun-off to shareholders its U.S. retail marketing business.  The now separate, publicly traded U.S. retail company named Murphy USA Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MUSA”.   On September 30, 2014, Murphy Oil sold its U.K. retail marketing business.  In late 2014, the Company decided to decommission and abandon the Milford Haven, Wales refinery.  The Company sold the remainder of its U.K. downstream assets in June 2015.  Both the U.S. and U.K. downstream businesses are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  Further discussion of the results of discontinued operations is included below.

 

Corporate – The after-tax costs of corporate activities, which include interest income and expense, foreign exchange effects, and corporate overhead not allocated to operating functions were $244.9 million in 2015, $164.8 million in 2014 and $140.7 million in 2013.

 

The net costs of Corporate activities in 2015 were unfavorable to 2014 by $80.1 million mostly due to higher tax expense related to a U.S deferred tax charge of $188.5 million associated with a $2.0 billion distribution from a foreign subsidiary, partially offset by higher foreign currency exchange gains and lower administrative costs.  Interest income was $3.7 million unfavorable in 2015 compared to 2014 due to lower average invested cash balances in Canada.  The after-tax effects of foreign currency exchange was a gain of $86.7 million in 2015, $46.8 million higher than in 2014.  These effects arose due to transactions denominated in currencies other than the respective operations predominant functional currency.  The foreign currency gain recognized in 2015 was mostly realized in Malaysia, where a weaker Malaysian ringgit in the current year led to a benefit from lower income tax obligations payable in local currency.  The Malaysian operation’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar.  Administrative expenses associated with corporate activities were lower in 2015 by $22.4 million, primarily due to lower employee compensation expense.  Depreciation expense was $3.2 million higher in 2015 compared to 2014 due to depreciation of certain obsolete assets and installation of new software.  Total provision for income taxes was higher in 2015 compared to 2014 by $142.9 million due primarily to the aforementioned deferred tax on a foreign distribution, partially offset by benefits related to changes in prior-year estimated taxes following the filing of the 2014 tax return.

 

The net cost of Corporate activities in 2014 exceeded 2013 by $24.1 million, primarily due to higher net interest expense and lower profits on foreign currency exchange, but somewhat offset by lower administrative expenses.  Interest income was $3.8  million higher in 2014 than 2013 due to larger average invested cash balances in Canada and interest earned on Canadian prior-year tax installments.  Net interest expense, after capitalization of finance-related costs to development projects, was higher by $43.9 million in 2014 compared to the prior year due to larger average borrowing levels in 2014 and lower amounts of interest capitalized to development projects.  Administrative expenses associated with corporate activities were lower in 2014 by $56.3 million, primarily due to nonrecurring expenses incurred in 2013 related to consulting and staffing for the U.S. retail marketing operations that was spun-off to shareholders in August 2013.  The after-tax effects of foreign currency exchange was a gain of $39.9 million in 2014, but $30.4 million lower than in 2013.  The foreign currency gain recognized in 2014 was mostly realized in Malaysia, where a significantly weaker Malaysian ringgit in 2014 led to a benefit from lower income tax obligations payable in the local currency.  However, the foreign currency gain variance in 2014 compared to the prior year was primarily related to the U.K. as an unfavorable earnings effect from the British pound sterling exchange rate in 2014 followed a favorable effect in 2013.  Income tax benefits in 2014 for corporate activities were $13.4 million less than the prior year. 

 

Discontinued Operations – The Company has presented a number of businesses as discontinued operations in its consolidated financial statements.  These businesses principally include:

 

 

 

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The results of these discontinued operations for the last three years are reflected in the following table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The loss from U.K. refining and marketing (R&M) operations of $14.8 million was primarily related to loss on sale of assets,  employee severance costs, legal fees and other abandonment costs related to closure.  The Company sold the finished product terminal operations during 2015 for cash proceeds of $5.5 million.  Certain costs to be paid in 2016 or beyond relate to future services and will be recognized over the applicable service period.

 

The loss from U.K. R&M operations of $120.6 million in 2014 was similar to the loss in 2013.  The Company sold the retail marketing fueling stations during 2014 with an associated gain of $101.7 million.  Total proceeds from the sale of the retail marketing assets were $212.0 million.  The Milford Haven, Wales refinery ceased processing crude oil in May 2014.  This refining operation incurred an impairment charge of $269.2 million in 2014, along with losses from operations and costs related to employee severance and other abandonment activities, which were partially offset by inventory profits arising from the sale of most of the refinery’s inventory.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

As shown in the selected financial data on page 23 of this Form 10-K report, capital expenditures from continuing operations, including exploration expenditures, were $2.19 billion in 2015, $3.76 billion in 2014 and $3.97 billion in 2013.  These amounts excluded capital expenditures of $0.2 million in 2015, $12.3 million in 2014, $154.6 million in 2013 related to discontinued operations, which were associated with U.K. R&M operations that were either sold or shuttered at the end of 2014, U.S. retail marketing operations spun-off in August 2013, and U.K. oil and gas assets sold in the first half of 2013.  Capital expenditures included $395.5 million, $439.2 million and $435.3 million, respectively, in 2015, 2014 and 2013 for exploration costs that were expensed.

 

Capital expenditures for exploration and production continuing operations totaled $2.13 billion in 2015, $3.74 billion in 2014 and $3.94 billion in 2013.

 

E&P capital expenditures in 2015 included $12.6 million for lease acquisitions principally in the U.S., $371.9 million for exploration activities, and $1.74 billion for oil and gas project developments.  U.S. lease acquisitions included acreage extensions in the Eagle Ford Shale as well as new leases acquired in the Gulf of Mexico.  Exploration activities included drilling wells in the Gulf of Mexico, Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam.  Additionally, exploration activities included seismic acquisition in the Gulf of Mexico and other areas, primarily related to prospects in Australia and Southeast Asia.  Development capital expenditures in 2015 included $830.2 million for the drilling and completion program in the Eagle Ford Shale; $508.6 million for Gulf of Mexico development activities including Kodiak and Dalmatian South; $116.5 million for development work in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin; $23.6 million for the Syncrude project; $41.7 million combined for Hibernia and Terra Nova; $67.8 million for development projects in deepwater Malaysia, including Kikeh, Kakap and Siakap; $144.3 million for oil and natural gas projects offshore Sarawak Malaysia; and $23.8 million for development of a Floating Liquified Natural Gas project for Block H Malaysia.

 

E&P capital expenditures in 2014 included $92.9 million for U.S. lease acquisitions, $430.1 million for exploration activities, and $3.21 billion for oil and gas project developments.  U.S. lease acquisitions included acreage extensions in the Eagle Ford Shale as well as new leases acquired in the Gulf of Mexico.  Exploration activities included drilling wells in the Gulf of Mexico, Cameroon, Indonesia and Vietnam.  Additionally, exploration activities included seismic acquisition in the Gulf of Mexico and other areas, primarily related to prospects in Southeast Asia and West Africa.  Development capital expenditures in 2014 included $1.52 billion for the drilling and completion program in the Eagle Ford Shale; $373.7 million for Gulf of Mexico development activities;

$286.0 million for development work in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin; $92.5 million for the Syncrude project; $64.5 million combined for Hibernia and Terra Nova; $562.9 million for development projects in deepwater

Malaysia, including Kikeh, Kakap and Siakap; and $299.3 million for oil and natural gas projects offshore Sarawak Malaysia.

 

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E&P capital expenditures in 2013 included $35.6 million for lease acquisitions, $493.5 million for exploration activities, and $3.41 billion for development projects.  Lease acquisitions were primarily related to acreage extensions in the Eagle Ford Shale area.  Exploration activities included exploratory drilling primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, Australia, Cameroon and Brunei.  Exploratory activities also included seismic and other geophysical costs primarily in the U.S., Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam and West Africa.  Development expenditures in 2013 included $1.48 billion for the drilling and completion program in the Eagle Ford Shale; $230.9 million for fields in the Gulf of Mexico, including Dalmatian, which started up in 2014; $156.7 million for synthetic oil operations; $140.4 million for heavy oil at Seal; $283.5 million for Kikeh; $136.7 million for Kakap-Gumusut; $214.6 million for Siakap North-Petai; $681.3 million for Sarawak oil fields; and $49.6 million for Hibernia and Terra Nova, offshore Newfoundland.

 

Exploration and production capital expenditures are shown by major operating area on page F-58 of this Form 10-K report.

 

Capital expenditures for discontinued operations included $114.3 million in 2013 for U.S. retail marketing operations, which primarily included station construction and other improvements in each year.  U.K. refining and marketing operations had capital expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $12.3 million and $32.2 million, respectively.  U.K. E&P operations had capital expenditure of $8.1 million in 2013.

 

Cash Flows

 

Operating activities – Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $1.18 billion in 2015, $3.05 billion in 2014 and $3.21 billion in 2013.  Cash flows associated with formerly owned U.S. downstream, U.K. oil and gas production businesses and U.K. downstream businesses have been classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Cash flow provided by continuing operations was $1.87 billion lower in 2015 than in 2014 due to generally weaker crude oil and natural gas sales prices in 2015, partially offset by lower lease operating expenses and lower severance and ad valorem taxes.  Cash flow provided by continuing operations was $162.1 million lower in 2014 compared to 2013.  The decrease in 2014 was attributable to lower crude oil sales prices plus higher payments for interest and income taxes compared to the prior year.  Cash provided by operating activities was reduced by expenditures for abandonment of oil and gas properties totaling $13.4 million in 2015, $36.8 million in 2014 and $51.6 million in 2013.  Operating cash flows were reduced by payments of income taxes of $118.7 million in 2015, $573.8 million in 2014 and $457.0 million in 2013.  The total reductions of operating cash flows for interest paid during the three years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $117.7 million, $134.8 million and $113.0 million, respectively.

 

Investing activities – Capital expenditures of the exploration and production business represent the most significant component of investing activities.  Property additions and dry hole costs for continuing operations used cash of $2.55 billion in 2015, $3.68 billion in 2014 and $3.59 billion in 2013.  Cash of $911.8 million, $986.3 million and $923.5 million was spent in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to acquire Canadian government securities with maturities greater than 90 days at the time of purchase.  Proceeds from maturities or sales of Canadian government securities with maturities greater than 90 days at date of acquisition were $1,129.1 million in 2015, $899.9 million in 2014 and $664.3 million in 2013.  Proceeds from sales of assets generated cash of $423.9 million in 2015, $1.47 billion in 2014 and $1.7 million in 2013.  The 2015 and 2014 proceeds primarily arose due to sale of 30% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia.

 

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Financing activities – During 2015, the Company borrowed $600.0 million under bank financing arrangements. The Company used $450.0 million cash during 2015 to repay current maturities of long-term debt. Funds from Malaysia and the U.K., which were repatriated to the U.S., tempered the Company’s net borrowings during the just completed year, as the majority of these funds were used to pay down long-term debt before year-end 2015.  The Company paid $250.0 million in 2015, $375.0 million in 2014 and $500.0 million in 2013 to repurchase 5.97 million shares, 6.37 million shares and 7.86 million shares, respectively, of its Common stock.  Cash used for dividends to stockholders was $245.0 million in 2015, $236.4 million in 2014 and $235.1 million in 2013.  The Company increased its normal dividend rate by 12% in 2014 as the annualized dividend was raised from $1.25 per share to $1.40 per share effective in the third quarter 2014.  There was no change in the dividend rate during 2015.  At the date of the spin-off in 2013, Murphy USA Inc. paid Murphy Oil Corporation cash of $650.0 million, which the Company primarily used to partially repay outstanding debt.  In 2015, 2014 and 2013, cash of $9.0 million, $6.8 million and $16.7 million, respectively, was used to pay statutory withholding taxes on stock-based incentive awards that vested with a net-of-tax payout.

 

Discontinued operations  –The Company’s discontinued operations in the U.K. and U.S. required operating cash flow of $15.0 million in 2015 and $39.6 million in 2014, but provided cash flow of $427.8 million in 2013.  The 2015 activities primarily related to the U.K. terminal operations which were sold in June 2015.  The 2014 period included the U.K. refining and marketing activities which had poor refining margins prior to shutdown of the refinery at Milford Haven in May 2014.  The 2013 period included positive operating cash flow from the U.S. retail marketing operations that were spun off to shareholders on August 30, 2013.  In 2015, the sale of U.K. terminal assets generated cash of $5.0 million, and in 2014, the sale of U.K. retail marketing assets generated cash of $212.0 million.  In 2013, the sale of all U.K. oil and gas assets generated cash of $282.2 million.  In connection with the sales of the various U.K. assets, the Company repatriated cash from the U.K. of $184 million in 2015; $250 million in 2014; and $240 million in 2013.  Cash utilized for other investing activities of discontinued operations totaled $12.5 million in 2014 and $165.7 million in 2013 and these mostly related to cash payments for capital expenditures.  At December 31, 2015, the Company’s U.K. discontinued operations had cash of $7.9 million.  This cash is classified within Current assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at year-end 2015, effectively removing this amount from the Company’s reported cash balance.  This cash balance was $192.6 million lower than the cash balance of $200.5 million classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014,  primarily due to repatriation of $184 million during 2015.

 

Financial Condition

 

Working capital (total current assets less total current liabilities) amounted to a deficit of $226.2 million at

year-end 2015.  Total working capital declined in 2015 due to a partial paydown of long-term debt with available cash proceeds plus a significant current liability recorded for exit of deepwater rig contracts at the end of the year.  The Company had working capital of $131.3 million at year-end 2014.  Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2015 totaled $283.2 million compared to $1.19 billion at year-end 2014.  As described in the following paragraph, a portion of this cash held at year-end 2014 was used to pay down $450.0 million current maturities of long-term debt in January 2015.  In addition to the Company’s cash position, it held short-term investments in Canadian government treasury securities of $173.3 million at year-end 2015, down $288.0 million compared to 2014.  These short-term investments decreased in 2015 primarily due to an intercompany loan to an affiliated company and a lower Canadian exchange rate.  These slightly longer-term Canadian investments were purchased in each year because of a tight supply of shorter-term securities available for purchase in Canada.  These short-term Canadian government investments could quickly be converted to cash if a need for funds in Canada arise.

 

Long-term debt at year-end 2015 was $522.9 million higher than year-end 2014.  The increase in debt in 2015 was primarily due to capital expenditures, share buyback and cash dividends, which in total exceeded cash generated from operating activities.    At December 31, 2015, long-term debt represented 36.4% of total capital employed.  Long-term debt at year-end 2014 was $400 million lower than year-end 2013.  The debt reduction in 2014 was achieved by using most of the proceeds from a 20% sale of oil and gas assets in Malaysia to repay debt.  Prior to the Malaysia sale in December 2014, long-term debt had risen in 2014 due to a combination of capital expenditures, share buyback and cash dividends, which in total exceeded cash generated from operating activities.  At December 31, 2014, long-term debt represented 22.8% of total capital employed.  Also, at December 31, 2014, current maturities of long-term debt included $450.0 million of loans that were repaid on January 15, 2015 with proceeds from the sale of Malaysian assets.  Stockholders’ equity was $5.31 billion at the end of 2015, $8.57 billion at the end of 2014 and $8.60 billion at the end of 2013.  Stockholders equity declined in 2015 primarily due to impairments of assets, lower commodity prices, $250.0 million of Common stock repurchases during the year and a reduction in the foreign currency translation balance due to a weaker Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during the year.  Stockholders equity declined in 2014 primarily due to a total of $375.0 million of Common stock

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repurchases during the year coupled with a reduction in the balance of foreign currency translation due to a weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar during the year.

 

Other significant changes in Murphy’s year-end 2015 balance sheet compared to 2014 included a $350.6 million decrease in accounts receivable, primarily caused by lower overall average realized sales prices at year-end 2015 compared to 2014 and the completion of the sale of 10% interest in Malaysian properties.  Inventory values were $75.9 million less at year-end 2015 than in 2014 mostly due to 10% sale of Malaysian properties in January 2015.  Current assets held for sale amounted to $38.3 million at December 31, 2015 and $376.1 million at December 31, 2014.  The year-end 2015 amount primarily included cash held by the U.K. downstream business, amounts receivable for sales of scrap metal and other materials as the refinery is dismantled and a short-term tax receivable expected to be collected in 2016.  Net property, plant and equipment decreased by $3.5 billion in 2015 primarily due to impairments of assets and the disposition of 10% of Malaysia oil and gas assets in January 2015.  Deferred charges and other assets increased $164.4 million in 2015 due primarily to a net deferred tax asset position in Malaysia and the U.S. as compared to a net deferred tax liability position in 2014.  Assets held for sale-noncurrent decreased by $51.0 million in 2015 primarily related to disposition of the remaining U.K. downstream assets in 2015.  Current maturities of long-term debt at year-end 2015 was $446.5 million lower than at the prior year-end due to payment of a short-term debt obligation of $450.0 million in January 2015.  Accounts payable decreased by $746.0 million at year-end 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to liabilities assumed by the purchaser of 10% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia and lower overall costs as capital expenditures were significantly reduced due to the low commodity price environment.    Income taxes payable was $54.2 million lower at year-end 2015 than at the end of 2014, primarily due to tax payments in Malaysia in 2015 and lower profits.  Other taxes payable decreased $14.0 million in 2015 primarily due to lower U.S. ad valorem and severance taxes owed.  Current liabilities associated with assets held for sale of $7.3 million at December 31, 2015 decreased $144.3 million compared to the prior year-end primarily due to lower liabilities after sale of the remaining U.K. downstream assets in 2015, lower employee costs and lower refinery decommissioning costs.  Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities were $954.1 million lower at year-end 2015 mostly due to impairment of assets and the assumption of certain future tax obligations by the purchaser of 10% of the Company’s oil and gas assets in Malaysia in 2015.  The noncurrent liability associated with future asset retirement obligations decreased by $48.1 million at year-end 2015 also mostly due to obligations assumed by the purchaser of Malaysian assets and revisions of prior estimates together with a lower Canadian dollar exchange rate that more than offset liabilities for new wells drilled in 2015.    Noncurrent liabilities associated with assets held for sale at December 31, 2015 decreased by $8.3 million primarily due to disposition of the remaining U.K. refining and marketing business.  Total stockholders’ equity of the Company decreased by $3.3 billion in 2015.  A summary of transactions in stockholders’ equity accounts is presented in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity on page F-8 of this Form 10-K report.

 

Murphy had commitments for future capital projects of approximately $501.2 million at December 31, 2015.  These commitments included $283.0 million for field development and future work in Malaysia, $109.8 million for work in the Eagle Ford Shale, $30.7 million for costs to develop deepwater Gulf of Mexico fields, and $45.2 million and  $15.4 million for future work commitments offshore Vietnam and Brunei.

 

The primary sources of the Company’s liquidity are internally generated funds, access to outside financing and working capital.  The Company uses its internally generated funds to finance the major portion of its capital and other expenditures, but it also maintains lines of credit with banks and borrows as necessary to meet spending requirements.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had access to a long-term committed credit facility in the amount of $2.0 billion with $600 million outstanding under the facility.  The most restrictive of covenants under this committed credit facility limit the Company’s long-term debt to capital ratio (as defined in the agreements) to 60%.  The committed credit facility expires in May 2017 and a one and one-half year extension is currently being pursued.  At December 31, 2015, the Company had uncommitted bank credit lines of approximately $300.0 million, but no borrowings were outstanding under these lines.  The Company’s ratio of long-term debt to total capital was 36.4% at year-end 2015.  In October 2015, the Company renewed its shelf registration statement on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that permits the offer and sale of debt and/or equity securities.  The current shelf registration will expire in October 2018.  Current financing arrangements are set forth more fully in Note F to the consolidated financial statements.  Based on the anticipated level of 2016 capital expenditures for the Company, coupled with the current low price environment for crude oil and existing annual shareholder dividend levels, the Company anticipates that it will need to borrow funds under its long-term credit facility during 2016.  The Company’s earnings for the year ended December 31, 2015 were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $3.3 billion.  The Company’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 7.9 to 1 in 2014 and 9.5 to 1 in 2013.

 

Cash and invested cash are maintained in several operating locations outside the United States.  At December 31, 2015, cash, cash equivalents and cash temporarily invested in Canadian government securities with greater than 90 day maturities held outside the U.S. included $235 million in Canada and $138 million in Malaysia. In addition,

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approximately $8 million of cash was held in the U.K. and has been classified as part of Assets held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at year-end 2015.  In certain cases, the Company could incur cash taxes or other costs should these cash balances be repatriated to the U.S. in future periods.  This could occur due to withholding taxes and/or potential additional U.S. tax burden when less than the U.S. tax rate of 35% has been paid for cash taxes in foreign locations.  A lower cash tax rate is often paid in the U.S. and foreign countries in the early years of operations when accelerated tax deductions exist to incentivize oil and gas investments; cash tax rates are generally higher in later years after accelerated tax deductions in early years are exhausted.  Canada collects a 5% withholding tax on any cash repatriated to the U.S.  See Note I of the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding potential tax expense that could be incurred upon distribution of foreign earnings back to the United States.

 

Environmental Matters

 

Murphy faces various environmental and safety risks that are inherent in exploring for, developing and producing hydrocarbons.  To help manage these risks, the Company has established a robust health, safety and environment governance program comprised of a worldwide policy, guiding principles, annual goals and a management system, with appropriate oversight at the business unit, senior leadership and board levels.  The Company strives to minimize these risks by continually improving its processes through design, operation and maintenance, and through emergency and oil spill response planning to address any credible and major risks it identifies through impact assessments.

 

Murphy and other companies in the oil and gas industry are subject to numerous international, national, state, provincial and local environmental and safety laws and regulations.  These requirements affect virtually all operations of the Company and increase Murphy’s overall cost of business, including its capital costs to construct, maintain and upgrade equipment and facilities, and operating costs for ongoing compliance.  Murphy allocates a portion of its capital expenditure program to comply with existing and anticipated environmental laws and regulations. 

 

The principal environmental laws and regulations to which Murphy is subject address such matters as the generation, storage, handling, use, disposal and remediation of petroleum products, wastewater and hazardous materials, the emission and discharge of such materials to the environment, greenhouse gas emissions, wildlife, habitat and water protection and the placement, operation and decommissioning of production equipment.  These laws and regulations also generally require permits for existing operations, as well as the construction or development of new operations.  Any violation of applicable environmental laws, regulations or permits can give rise to significant civil and criminal penalties, injunctions, construction bans and delays, and other sanctions. 

 

These laws, regulations and permits have been subject to frequent change and tended to become more stringent over time.  For example, governmental initiatives have been implemented or are under development to regulate or further investigate the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing.  In particular, the U.S. government has commenced a study to determine the environmental and health impacts of hydraulic fracturing and announced that it will propose standards for the treatment or disposal of wastewater from certain gas production operations. 

 

In addition, certain jurisdictions in which the Company operates have required, or are considering requiring, more stringent permitting, chemical disclosure, transparency, water usage, disposal and well construction requirements.  Regulators are also becoming increasingly focused on air emissions from the oil and gas industry, including volatile organic compound and methane emissions.  For example, Alberta has announced regulations that would require Murphy’s Seal facilities to conserve solution gas associated with primary recovery of heavy oil.  In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented requirements to reduce sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compound and hazardous air pollutant air emissions from oil and gas operations, including standards for wells that are hydraulically fractured.  Any current or future air emission or other environmental requirements applicable to Murphy’s businesses could curtail its operations or otherwise result in operational delays, liabilities and increased costs.

 

Murphy also could be subject to strict liability for environmental contamination, including with respect to its current or former properties, operations and waste disposal sites, or those of its predecessors.  Contamination has been identified at certain of such sites as a result of which the Company may be required to remove or remediate previously disposed wastes, clean up contaminated soil, surface water and groundwater, address spills and leaks from pipelines and production equipment, and perform remedial plugging operations.  In addition to significant investigation and remediation costs, such matters can also give rise to third party claims for fines, personal injury and property or other environmental damage. 

 

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Murphy allocates a portion of its capital expenditure program to comply with environmental laws and regulations, and such capital expenditures were approximately $46 million in 2015.  This spending is projected to be approximately $9 million in 2016 with the reduction due to a scale back in expected overall capital project spending associated with low oil and gas prices.

 

Climate Change

Greenhouse gas emission regulation is becoming more stringent.  Murphy is currently required to report greenhouse gas emissions from certain of its operations and, in British Columbia, is subject to a carbon tax on the purchase or use of virtually all carbon-based fuels.  Under the U.S. Climate Action Plan, the Environmental Protection Agency is currently assessing how best to pursue methane emission reductions from the oil and gas sector, which process may result in further voluntary or mandated methane mitigation measures.  Any limitation on or further regulation of, greenhouse gases, including through a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement or other program, could restrict the Company’s operations, curtail demand for hydrocarbons generally and/or impose increased costs, including to operate and maintain facilities, install pollution emission controls and administer and manage emissions trading programs. 

 

Safety Matters

 

The Company is subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and comparable foreign and state laws that regulate the protection of the health and safety of workers. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication standard requires that certain information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in Murphy’s operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens.  The Company believes that its operations are in substantial compliance with applicable safety requirements, including general industry standards, record-keeping requirements and the monitoring of occupational exposure to regulated substances.

 

Other Matters

 

Impact of inflation – General inflation was moderate during the last three years in most countries where the Company operates; however, the Company’s revenues and capital and operating costs are influenced to a larger extent by specific price changes in the oil and gas and allied industries than by changes in general inflation.  Crude oil prices generally reflect the balance between supply and demand, with crude oil prices being particularly sensitive to OPEC production levels and/or attitudes of traders concerning supply and demand in the near future.  Prices for oil field goods and services are usually affected by the worldwide prices for crude oil. 

 

Prior to the oil price collapse in late 2014 and 2015, the cost for oil field goods and services had generally risen in the preceding years.  As noted elsewhere, oil prices have been extremely volatile over the last several years, as oil prices were quite strong in recent years, before declining dramatically in the fourth quarter of 2014 and throughout 2015 due to an oversupply of crude oil in the global marketplace.  With the recent decline in oil prices, the demand for goods and services has been diminished, which is leading to significant downward pressure on the prices of these goods and services.  Natural gas prices are also affected by supply and demand, which are often affected by the weather and by the fact that delivery of gas is generally restricted to specific geographic areas.  North American natural gas prices have been weak due to an oversupply of natural gas in this market.  The recent severe pullback in crude oil prices has led many oil companies, including Murphy, to seek price concessions from suppliers of oil field goods and services.  Due to the recent severe decline in oil prices coupled with the overall volatility of oil and natural gas prices, it is not possible to predict the Company’s future cost of oil field goods and services.

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Accounting changes and recent accounting pronouncements 

 

Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.  In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs.  The ASU requires that the cost of issuing debt be presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the associated debt liability.  These costs have historically been recorded as an asset, rather than a direct reduction of debt.  This ASU does not affect the results of operations, as costs of debt issuance will continue to be amortized to interest expense.  The Company is required to adopt the ASU effective in the first quarter of 2016, but early adoption is permitted.  The Company elected to adopt this ASU early, effective with the first quarter of 2015.  This change in accounting principle is preferable due to allowing debt issuance costs and debt issuance discounts to be presented similarly in the Balance Sheet as reductions to recorded debt balances.  A retrospective change to the December 31, 2014 Balance Sheet as previously presented is required due to the adoption.  The retrospective adjustment to the December 31, 2014 Balance Sheet is shown below:

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  In November 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent.  The current requirement that deferred tax assets and liabilities of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendment.  The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods.  Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period.  The amendments may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax assets and liabilities or retrospectively to all periods presented.  The Company will adopt this guidance in 2016 and does not expect the impact of adopting this guidance to be material to the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard for contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance.  The core principle of this standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To achieve this core principle, the standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized.  In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that formally delayed the effective date of this revenue recognition standard.  The new standard is now effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is now permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016.  The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. This guidance will be applicable to the Company beginning on January 1, 2018.  The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

 

Significant accounting policies – In preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management must make a number of estimates and assumptions related to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Application of certain of the Company’s accounting policies requires significant estimates.  The most significant of these accounting policies and estimates are described below.

 

 

See further discussion of proved reserves and changes in proved reserves during the three years ended December 31, 2015 beginning on pages 7 and F-51 of this Form 10-K report.

 

 

Based on the time required to complete further exploration and appraisal drilling in areas where hydrocarbons have been found but proved reserves have not been booked, dry hole expense may be recorded one or more years after the original drilling costs are incurred.  In 2015, the costs associated with one well in the Gulf of Mexico, which was drilled in 2009, was expensed due to it being unlikely to be developed due to distressed commodity prices.  In 2014, the costs associated with four wells offshore Block PM 311 in Malaysia, which were drilled in 2004 and 2005, were written off due to denial of the Company’s request to the Malaysian government for an extension to the gas holding period.  Additionally, the cost of one well in the Gulf of Mexico, which was drilled in 2008, was written off because low-expected futures prices for natural gas at year-end 2014 rendered development opportunities for the field to be uneconomic.  In 2013, two wells offshore Sarawak drilled in 2005 and 2006 were expensed when the Company decided not to move forward with development plans for this area.

 

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The Company recorded impairment expense of $2,493.2 million in 2015 to reduce the carrying value of producing heavy oil properties in Western Canada, producing offshore properties in Malaysia, and producing and non-producing properties in the Gulf of Mexico to their estimated fair value due to significant declines in future oil and gas prices since the end of 2014.  The fair values were determined by internal discounted cash flow models using estimates of future production, prices from futures exchanges, costs, and a discount rate believed to be consistent with those used by principal market participants in the applicable region.  The Company recorded impairment expense of $14.3 million in 2014 for one producing gas field in the Gulf of Mexico due to low year-end natural gas futures prices that would not permit full recovery of the investment in the field.  Additionally, in 2014 the Company recorded an impairment charge of $37.0 million to write-off the remaining goodwill originally recorded with a business acquired in Western Canada in 2000.  Low oil and gas prices at year-end 2014 led to the conclusion that this goodwill was no longer recoverable.  The Company recorded writedowns of $269.2 million in 2014 and $73.0 million in 2013 for discontinued U.K. refining and marketing operations based on a fair value assessment of these assets being abandoned and/or held for sale at year-ends 2014 and 2013.  Murphy recorded impairment expense of $21.6 million in 2013 related to the sale of Kainai properties in Western Canada at less than carrying value.

 

Based on an evaluation of expected future cash flows from properties at year-end 2015, the Company did not have any other significant properties with carrying values that were impaired at that date.  The expected future sales prices for crude oil and natural gas used in the evaluation were based on quoted future prices for the respective production periods.  These quoted prices are based on market expectations for future hydrocarbon prices, which can often be significantly higher or lower in future periods compared to current spot prices.  If quoted prices for future years had been weaker, the lower level of projected cash flows for properties could have led to additional impairment charges being recorded for certain properties in 2015.  In addition, one or a combination of other factors such as lower future oil and/or natural gas prices, lower future production volumes, higher future costs, or the actions of government authorities could lead to impairment expenses in future periods.  Based on these unknown future factors as described herein, the Company cannot predict the amount or timing of impairment expenses that may be recorded in the future.

 

 

on a number of assumptions and with consultation assistance from qualified third-party actuaries.  The most important of these assumptions for the retirement plans involve the discount rate used to measure future plan obligations and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. For the retiree medical and insurance plans, the most important assumptions are the discount rate for future plan obligations and the health care cost trend rate.  Discount rates are based on the universe of high-quality corporate bonds that are available within each country.  Cash flow analyses are performed in which a spot yield curve is used to discount projected benefit payment streams for the most significant plans.  The discounted cash flows are used to determine an equivalent single rate which is the basis for selecting the discount rate within each country.  Expected plan asset returns are based on long-term expectations for asset portfolios with similar investment mix characteristics.  Anticipated health care cost trend rates are determined based on prior experience of the Company and an assessment of near-term and long-term trends for medical and drug costs.

 

Upon disposal of Murphy’s former U.K. downstream assets, the Company retained all vested defined benefit pension obligations associated with former employees of this business.  No additional benefits will accrue to these former U.K. employees under the Company’s retirement plan after the date of separation from Murphy.

 

Based on bond yields at December 31, 2015, the Company has used a weighted average discount rate of 4.55% at year-end 2015 for the primary U.S. plans.  This weighted average discount rate is 0.43%  higher than a year earlier, which decreased the Company’s recorded liabilities for retirement plans compared to a year ago.  Although the Company presently assumes a return on plan assets of 6.50% for the primary U.S. plan, it periodically reconsiders the appropriateness of this and other key assumptions.  The smoothing effect of current accounting regulations tends to buffer the current year’s retirement plan expenses from wide swings in liabilities and asset valuations.  The Company’s retirement and postretirement plan expenses in 2016 are expected be higher than 2015 due to larger costs associated with previously unrecognized actuarial losses at year-end 2015.  However, cash contributions are anticipated to be lower in 2016 particularly associated with its domestic retirement plan.  In 2015, the Company paid $31.4 million

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into various retirement plans and $3.8 million into postretirement plans.  In 2016, the Company is expecting to fund payments of approximately $8.5 million into various retirement plans and $5.4 million for postretirement plans.  The Company could be required to make additional and more significant funding payments to retirement plans in future years.  Future required payments and the amount of liabilities recorded on the balance sheet associated with the plans could be unfavorably affected if the discount rate declines, the actual return on plan assets falls below the assumed return, or the health care cost trend rate increase is higher than expected.  Although Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, which permits certain companies to reduce retirement plan contributions in the near term, this Act does not reduce the Company’s overall funding requirements in the long-term.  As described above, the Company’s retirement and postretirement expenses are sensitive to certain assumptions, primarily related to discount rates and assumed return on plan assets.  A 0.5% decline in the discount rate would increase 2016 annual retirement and postretirement expenses by $2.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and a 0.5% decline in the assumed rate of return on plan assets would increase 2016 retirement expense by $2.5 million.

 

 

Contractual obligations and guarantees – The Company is obligated to make future cash payments under borrowing arrangements, operating leases, purchase obligations primarily associated with existing capital expenditure commitments, and other long-term liabilities.  In addition, the Company expects to extend certain operating leases beyond the minimum contractual period.  Total payments due after 2015 under such contractual obligations and arrangements are shown below.

 

 

 

The Company has entered into agreements to lease production facilities for various producing oil fields.  In addition, the Company has other arrangements that call for future payments as described in the following section.  The Company’s share of the contractual obligations under these leases and other arrangements has been included in the table above.

 

In 2013, the Company entered into a 25-year lease for a semi-floating production system at the Kakap field offshore Sabah, Malaysia.  The Company has included the required lease obligations for this production system in the contractual obligation table above.

 

In the normal course of its business, the Company is required under certain contracts with various governmental authorities and others to provide letters of credit that may be drawn upon if the Company fails to perform under those contracts.  Total outstanding letters of credit were $81.6 million as of December 31, 2015, and all of these letters of credit expire in 2016.

 

Material off-balance sheet arrangements – The Company occasionally utilizes off-balance sheet arrangements for operational or funding purposes.  The most significant of these arrangements at year-end 2015 included operating leases of floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Kikeh oil field, floating and operating lease for a production facility at the West Patricia field, drilling contracts for onshore and offshore rigs in various countries, and oil and/or natural gas transportation contracts in the U.S. and Western Canada.  The leases call for future monthly net lease payments through 2016 at West Patricia and through 2022 at Kikeh.  The U.S. and Western Canada transportation contracts require minimum monthly payments through 2024.  Future required minimum annual payments under these arrangements are included in the contractual obligation table above.

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Outlook

 

Prices for the Company’s primary products are often quite volatile.  The price for crude oil is primarily affected by the levels of supply and demand for energy.  Anticipated future variances between the predicted demand for crude oil and the projected available supply can lead to significant movement in the price of crude oil.  In January 2016, West Texas Intermediate crude oil traded in a band between about $28.46 and $36.76 per barrel and averaged about $31.78 for the full month.  NYMEX natural gas traded in a band of $2.12 to $2.53 per MMBTU, with an average of $2.27 during this same time.  Both these oil and natural gas prices are well below the average prices achieved in 2015.  The Company continually monitors the prices for its main products and often alters its operations and spending plans based on these prices.

 

The Company’s capital expenditure budget for 2016 has recently undergone significant revision and capital expenditures in 2016 are expected to be well below 2015 levels, at a total of approximately $580 million excluding capital spending related to the recently announced Kaybob Duvernay and Montney liquids rich properties acquisition expected to close near the end of the first quarter of 2016.  Geographically, the current estimate of E&P capital in 2016 is spread approximately as follows:  38% for the United States, 22% for Malaysia 19%, for Canada and 21% for all other areas.  Spending in the U.S. is primarily associated with development programs in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas.  In Malaysia, the majority of the spending is for continued development of the Kikeh, Kakap-Gumusut and Siakap North-Petai fields in Block K, oil development projects offshore Sarawak in Blocks SK 309/311 and development of a FLNG project in Block H.  Canadian spending is primarily associated with natural gas development operations in Western Canada, plus ongoing operations at Syncrude and East Coast offshore areas.  Capital and other expenditures will be routinely reviewed during 2016 and planned capital expenditures may be adjusted to reflect differences between budgeted and actual cash flow during the year.  Capital expenditures may also be affected by asset purchases or sales, which often are not anticipated at the time a budget is prepared.    The Company will primarily fund its capital program in 2016 using operating cash flow, but will supplement funding where necessary using borrowings under available credit facilities.  The Company’s 2016 projections call for borrowings of long-term debt during the year to fund a portion of the capital program.  If oil and/or natural gas prices weaken further, actual cash flow generated from operations could be reduced such that further capital spending reductions are required and/or higher than anticipated borrowings might be required during the year to maintain funding of the Company’s ongoing development projects.

 

The Company currently expects production in 2016 to average between 180,000 and 185,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.  This level of production is less than 2015 due primarily to a significantly lower capital spending program in 2016.  A key assumption in projecting the level of 2016 Company production is the anticipated well decline rate following a period of reduced drilling activity in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas where a major drilling and completion operation has been scaled back due to weak oil prices.  Other key factors in meeting 2016 production targets is the rate of decline of natural gas wells at the Tupper area in Western Canada, continued reliability of production at significant operations such as Kikeh, Syncrude, Hibernia and Terra Nova, and the continued customer demand for natural gas from the Company’s offshore Malaysia fields.

 

At year-end 2015, the Company had two deepwater drilling rigs under contract in the Gulf of Mexico that were scheduled to expire in February and November 2016.  In the face of low commodity prices, a significant reduction in the Company’s overall 2016 capital spending program and lack of interest by working interest partners and others to participate in drilling opportunities in 2016, the Company idled and stacked both rigs during the fourth quarter of 2015.  The contract originally scheduled to expire in November 2016 was terminated by the Company.  The remaining day rate commitments payable in the first quarter of 2016 under both contracts total approximately $271 million.

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The Company has entered into WTI crude oil swap contracts and natural gas forward delivery contracts to manage risk associated with certain U.S. crude oil and Canadian natural gas sales prices as follows:

 

 

 

 

In the falling commodity price environment during 2015, the Company gained price concessions from many of its vendors that supply oil field goods and services.  Certain costs are expected to retreat further in 2016 at the current level of oil and gas prices.  It is unclear how successful the Company will be with achieving additional meaningful reductions in the cost of oil field goods and services.

 

In January 2016, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary signed a definitive agreement to divest natural gas processing and sales pipeline assets that support Murphy’s Montney natural gas fields in the Tupper area of northeastern British Columbia.  Total cash consideration to Murphy upon closing of the transaction, anticipated near the end of the first quarter 2016, is expected to be C$538 million.

 

In a separate transaction, the same subsidiary signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 70 percent operated working interest (WI) of Athabasca Oil Corporation’s (Athabasca) production, acreage, infrastructure and facilities in the Kaybob Duvernay lands, and a 30 percent non-operated WI of Athabasca’s production, acreage, infrastructure and facilities in the liquids rich Montney lands in Alberta.  Under the terms of the joint venture the total consideration amounts to C$475 million, of which Murphy will pay approximately C$250 million in cash at closing and the remaining C$225 million in the form of a carry for a period of up to five years.  The transaction is expected to close near the end of the first quarter of 2016. 

 

As of December 31, 2015, Murphy’s long-term debt was rated “BBB” with a negative outlook by Standard and Poor’s (S&P), “BBB-” with a negative outlook by Fitch Ratings (Fitch), and “Baa3” with a negative outlook by Moody’s Investor Services (Moody’s).  In February 2016, S&P, Fitch, and Moody’s each downgraded the Company’s credit rating on its outstanding notes.  The Company’s long-term debt ratings are currently “BBB-” with stable outlook by S&P, “BB+” with stable outlook by Fitch, and “B1” with negative outlook by Moody’s.  Fitch’s and Moody’s actions reduced the Company’s credit rating to below investment grade status.  These downgrades could adversely affect our cost of capital and our ability to raise debt in public markets in future periods.  Based on the downgrade by Moody’s, the coupon rates on $1.5 billion of the Company’s outstanding notes will increase by 1.00% effective June 1, 2016.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements, which express management’s current views concerning future events or results, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the volatility and level of crude oil and natural gas prices, the level and success rate of Murphy’s exploration programs, the Company’s ability to maintain production rates and replace reserves, customer demand for Murphy’s products, adverse foreign exchange movements, political and regulatory instability, adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets or economies generally, and uncontrollable natural hazards.  For further discussion of risk factors, see Item 1A. Risk Factors, which begins on page 13 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Murphy undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company is exposed to market risks associated with interest rates, prices of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products, and foreign currency exchange rates.  Murphy uses derivative financial and commodity instruments to manage risks associated with existing or anticipated transactions.

 

As described in Note L, there were short-term derivative foreign exchange contracts in place at December 31, 2015 to hedge the value of U.S. dollar based receivables against the Canadian dollar.  A 10% strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar would not have materially changed the recorded net liability associated with these contracts.  Changes in the fair value of these derivative contracts generally offset the financial statement impact of an equivalent volume of foreign currency exposures associated with other assets and/or liabilities.

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As described in Note L,  there were commodity transactions in place at December 31, 2015 covering certain future U.S. crude oil sales volumes in 2016.  A 10%  increase in the respective benchmark price of these commodities would have decreased the recorded net asset associated with these derivative contacts by approximately $30.3 million, while a 10% decrease would have increased the recorded net asset by a similar amount.

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

Information required by this item appears on pages F-1 through F-63, which follow page  58 of this

Form 10-K report.

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Under the direction of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, controls and procedures have been established by Murphy to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to the officers who certify the Company’s financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.

 

Based on their evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s management, as of December 31, 2015, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of Murphy Oil Corporation have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by Murphy Oil Corporation in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

 

Murphy’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f).  Management has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on the results of this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.  Management’s report is included on page F-1 of this Form 10-K report. KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has made an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 and their report is included on page F-3 of this Form 10-K report.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Certain information regarding executive officers of the Company is included on page 20 of this Form 10-K report. Other information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Committees.”

 

Murphy Oil has adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Executive Management, which can be found under the Corporate Governance and Responsibility tab at www.murphyoilcorp.com.  Stockholders may also obtain free of charge a copy of the Code of Ethical Conduct for Executive Management by writing to the Company’s Secretary at P.O. Box 7000, El Dorado, AR 71731-7000.  Any future amendments to or waivers of the Company’s Code of Ethical Conduct for Executive Management will be posted on the Company’s Web site.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Murphy’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation of Directors” and in various compensation schedules.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Murphy’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Security Ownership of Management,” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information.”

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Murphy’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 under the caption “Election of Directors.”

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Murphy’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 11, 2016 under the caption “Audit Committee Report.”

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PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)   1.   Financial Statements – The consolidated financial statements of Murphy Oil Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries are located or begin on the pages of this Form 10-K report as indicated below.

 

2.    Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

All other financial statement schedules are omitted because either they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

3.   Exhibits – The following is an index of exhibits that are hereby filed as indicated by asterisk (*), that are considered furnished rather than filed, or that are incorporated by reference. Exhibits other than those listed have been omitted since they either are not required or are not applicable.

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on February 26, 2016 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.