TransCanada Re-Applies for Keystone XL Pipeline Permit

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TransCanada Corp. (TRP) has re-applied for a U.S. permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, seeking permission to build a $5.3 billion portion of the original project from the Canadian border to Steele City, Nebraska.

The application uses already reviewed routes through Montana and South Dakota and will add an “alternative” path through Nebraska determined by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, according to a statement from the Calgary based company today.

“There is no win by denying this pipeline,” TransCanada Chief Executive Officer Russ Girling said today in a telephone interview. “There are several wins, energy security, economic development, jobs, wealth creation and less of an environmental impact, as a result of approving the pipeline”.....Read the entire Bloomberg article.

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Dennis Gartman: It's More Then Just The Jobs Report Sending Oil Lower

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Energy stocks are plunging, along with crude oil falling below $98 for the first time since February 10. And Dennis Gartman of The Gartman Letter tells us why he thinks there is a lot more sending oil lower then just a bad jobs report.




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Crude Oil Plummets on Disappointing Jobs Report

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Crude oil was lower as it extended Thursday's decline and renewed the decline off March's high. Stochastics and the RSI are bearish signaling that additional weakness is possible near term. In Friday mornings session the June contract lost more the $3.50 by 10 a.m. EST.

If June extends the decline off March's high, the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14 is the next downside target. Closes above the 10 day moving average crossing at 104.03 would signal that a short term low has been posted.

First resistance is the 10 day moving average crossing at 104.03. Second resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 106.43. First support is the overnight low crossing at 101.10. Second support is the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14.

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Apache Reports Strong First Quarter Results as Record Production Leverages Higher Oil Prices

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Apache Corporation (ticker APA) reported record worldwide production in the first quarter of 2012 as the company benefitted from higher prices for oil and natural gas liquids and its balanced approach helped it weather the continuing deterioration of North American natural gas prices. Daily production increased 7 percent over the same period the prior year, adjusted for dispositions.

Worldwide production was 769,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day, compared with 732,000 boe per day the same period the year before. Last year's total included 11,000 boe per day from certain assets in Canada and East Texas that were sold in the second half of 2011. U.S. liquids production reached 148,000 barrels per day, representing an 11 percent increase over first quarter 2011 results, as global liquids production rose 6 percent over the same period.

Apache reported earnings of $778 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, for the three month period ending March 31, 2012, reflecting the impact of a $390 million non cash, after tax reduction in the carrying value of its oil and gas properties in Canada stemming from lower North American natural gas prices. For the same period last year, Apache reported earnings of $1.1 billion, or $2.86 per diluted share.....Read the entire report at ApacheCorp.com

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Equities Fight to Hold Up While EU & US Data Give Mixed Signals

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Investors and traders just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to economic news. For example Tuesday in the United States we saw strong ISM manufacturing numbers which surprised the market. The numbers were way above expectations and it triggered a feeding frenzy in US based investments like stocks and the green back.

The following session Italy reported terrible PMI and unemployment rate numbers which took most of the wind out the European and US stocks. One day the data is great, next day it’s bad…

The strong numbers in the US have everyone including myself thinking that this week’s jobless claims (unemployment rate) will be down. If this is the case then we will see stocks jump along with the dollar, much like what we saw trader do last Tuesday which is what Jim Cramer says best – BUY BUY BUY.

Normally we do not see the dollar index rally along with stocks but if EU continues to show signs of weakness then it is very likely the dollar and equities inverse relationship could decouple. Reason being investors around the globe will focus their money on the more stable US investments like the dollar and US stocks.

The Dollar is Trading at a Major Tipping Point....Read the entire article.


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Prices Fall on Anemic Growth and Inventory Gains

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Chip Hodge of Manulife Asset Management said it best “Prices should be lower because there’s no shortage of oil and we’re looking at rather anemic economic growth, we’re getting robust builds in supply.” That combined with worsen job numbers put commodity bulls at a disadvantage in Wednesdays session.

Crude oil closed lower due to profit taking on Wednesday as it consolidates some of Tuesday's rally. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI are overbought but remain neutral to bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If June extends Tuesday's rally, the reaction high crossing at 109.13 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 103.76 would confirm that a short term top has been posted. If June renews the decline off March's high, the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14 is the next downside target. First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 106.43. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 109.13. First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 103.76. Second support is April's low crossing at 101.22.

Natural gas closed lower due to profit taking on Wednesday as it consolidated some of the rally off April's low. The low range close sets the stage for a steady to lower opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If June extends the rally off last week's low, the reaction high crossing at 2.607 is the next upside target. Closes below the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.144 would signal that a short term top has been posted. First resistance is Tuesday's high crossing at 2.385. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 2.607. First support is the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.144. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1.982.

Gold closed lower on Wednesday and the mid range close sets the stage for a steady opening on Thursday. Stochastics and the RSI remain neutral to bullish signaling sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 1699.60 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If June renews the decline off February's high, the 75% retracement level of the December-February rally crossing at 1595.00 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1681.30. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1699.60. First support is April's low crossing at 1613.00. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the December-February rally crossing at 1595.00.

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Chesapeake Energy Earnings Report For 1st Quarter 2012

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Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) today announced financial and operational results for the 2012 first quarter. For the 2012 first quarter, Chesapeake reported a net loss to common stockholders of $71 million ($0.11 per fully diluted common share), ebitda of $597 million (defined as net income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation, depletion and amortization) and operating cash flow of $910 million (defined as cash flow from operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities) on revenue of $2.419 billion and production of 333 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (bcfe).

The company’s 2012 first quarter results include various items that are typically not included in published estimates of the company’s financial results by certain securities analysts. Excluding such items for the 2012 first quarter, Chesapeake reported adjusted net income to common stockholders of $94 million ($0.18 per fully diluted common share) and adjusted ebitda of $838 million. The primary excluded item from the 2012 first quarter reported results is a net unrealized noncash after tax mark to market loss of $167 million resulting from the company’s natural gas, liquids and interest rate hedging programs. A reconciliation of operating cash flow, ebitda, adjusted ebitda and adjusted net income to comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles is presented on pages 18 – 20 of this release......Click here to read the entire earnings report

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Blackstones Wien Bearish on Crude Oil for First Time

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Byron Wien, the 79 year old chairman of Blackstone Group LP’s advisory services unit, is forecasting an annual drop in oil prices for the first time in his career as swelling production pushes global inventories higher.

Wien, who joined the world’s biggest private equity firm in 2009, said the U.S. will extract more crude by fracking rocks and expects the furor over a potential conflict with Iran to dissipate. Brent crude lost 2.8 percent last month after surging 14 percent in the first quarter on concern Iran may disrupt Middle East exports in retaliation for a European oil embargo.

Russia and Saudi Arabia, the biggest crude producers, are pumping near record levels, helping push February inventories in developed nations to the equivalent of 59.6 days of demand, the most since 2009, according to the International Energy Agency.

“The Iran premium is going to come out of the price of Brent,” Wien, who was previously a chief strategist at Morgan Stanley, said in an April 26 television interview on “Bloomberg Surveillance” with Tom Keene. “There’s an Iran premium in the price of oil, thinking that Israel will strike Iran, and I don’t think Israel will”.......Read the entire Bloomberg article.

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Crude Oil Trends Appears to Change....Ball is in the Bulls Court

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Crude oil closed higher on Tuesday and above the reaction high crossing at 105.50 confirming that a short term trend change has taken place. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If June extends today's rally, the reaction high crossing at 109.13 is the next upside target. If June renews the decline off March's high, the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14 is the next downside target. First resistance is today's high crossing at 106.43. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 109.13. First support is April's low crossing at 101.22. Second support is the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14.

Natural gas closed higher on Tuesday as it extended the rally off April's low. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If June extends the rally off last week's low, the reaction high crossing at 2.607 is the next upside target. Closes below the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.134 would signal that a short term top has been posted. If June renews the multi year decline, monthly support crossing at 1.620 is the next downside target. First resistance is today's high crossing at 2.385. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 2.607. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.134. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1.982.

Gold closed slightly higher on Tuesday and the mid-range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Wednesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 1699.60 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If June renews the decline off February's high, the 75% retracement level of the December-February rally crossing at 1595.00 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1681.30. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1699.60. First support is April's low crossing at 1613.00. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the December-February rally crossing at 1595.00.

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Will Crude Oil Break Through Support This Week?

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The June crude oil market rallied every day last week. The market put in higher lows and higher highs on a daily basis after it tested the support trendline (#3 on the chart) last week on Monday morning. Any technical trader would say last week had all of the necessary ingredients for a bull run.

On Monday crude oil was under pressure following unfavorable reports out of Spain and the United States coupled with profit taking ahead of a Labor Day Holiday in Europe and Asia.

The selloff seemed to be targeting the dominant trendline and the 20 day moving average (#1 on the chart) above the highs on the daily chart that kept Crude Oil in a downward channel until Thursday of last week when it closed above. This line was the dominant resistance for months, and may be the dominant support if the market can stay above in the near term.

If oil does not sell off any further, the near term target would likely be a price of $105.50. This price is where the high price from April 17th and the upper resistance trendline will converge on the chart (#2 on the chart). Closes above this number should be seen as a very bullish signal.

Any closes below #3 on the chart would likely invite heavy selling pressure on the June crude oil, as it would signal a break in the support trendline that the market has held since December 2011.

Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Gold Market Commentary For Monday April 30th

Why the U.S. Dollar is Critical for the S&P 500 Index this Week

Crude oil [June contract] closed higher on Monday and the high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 105.50 are needed to confirm that a short term trend change has taken place. If June renews the decline off March's high, the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 105.50. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 105.99. First support is April's low crossing at 101.22. Second support is the 38% retracement level of the October-March rally crossing at 98.14.

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Natural gas [June contract] closed higher on Monday and above the 20 day moving average crossing at 2.143 as it extended the rally off last week's low. The high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI are bullish signaling that sideways to higher prices are possible near term. If June extends the rally off last week's low, the reaction high crossing at 2.335 is the next upside target. If June renews the multi year decline, monthly support crossing at 1.620 is the next downside target. First resistance is today's high crossing at 2.294. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 2.335. First support is the 10 day moving average crossing at 2.102. Second support is the reaction low crossing at 1.982.

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Gold closed higher [June contract] on Monday and the high range close sets the stage for a steady to higher opening on Tuesday. Stochastics and the RSI remain bullish signaling sideways to higher prices are possible near term. Closes above the reaction high crossing at 1699.60 are needed to confirm that a short term low has been posted. If June renews the decline off February's high, the 75% retracement level of the December-February rally crossing at 1595.00 is the next downside target. First resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1681.30. Second resistance is the reaction high crossing at 1699.60. First support is April's low crossing at 1613.00. Second support is the 75% retracement level of the December-February rally crossing at 1595.00.

Dollar Likely Holds Clues Regarding the Immediate Future

Why the U.S. Dollar is Critical for the S&P 500 Index this Week

Recently I have been advising members of my service to be cautious as the market appears to be at a major crossroads. The U.S. Dollar Index is on the verge of a major breakdown. If a breakdown occurs it will be clear that the Federal Reserve will have officially stopped any potential rise in the U.S. Dollar. 

If the U.S. Dollar pushes down below the recent lows and we get continuation to the downside, we will break the recent bullish pattern. Furthermore, if the Dollar starts to weaken it should benefit equities and other risk assets such as oil. Higher energy prices would not be long term bullish for equity markets so there is concern if the Dollar really starts to extend lower.

Over the past few months the Dollar has been producing a series of higher highs and higher lows, however the current cycle may break the pattern.....as can be seen here.

"Why the U.S. Dollar is Critical for the S&P 500 Index this Week"

Top 5 Producing States Combined Marketed Natural Gas Output Rose in 2011

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Combined marketed natural gas production from the top five natural gas producing states...Texas, Louisiana, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Colorado increased by about 7.5% in 2011, although their share of total U.S. natural gas output fell slightly to about 65%.

Marketed natural gas production from these states in 2011 totaled 15.7 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), according to annual data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The drop in their combined share of total U.S. production reflects increased contributions from other states, particularly those in which operators significantly expanded development of shale gas formations. Shale gas production from states such as Pennsylvania helped boost overall U.S. natural gas output by almost 8% in 2011.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Marketed Natural Gas Production, and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation 

Due primarily to drilling programs in the Marcellus shale formation, Pennsylvania's marketed natural gas production in 2011 more than doubled to nearly 1.3 Tcf, according to preliminary estimates from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection. Arkansas has also seen strong growth in its marketed natural gas production, with output more than tripling since 2007 due mainly to increased production in the Fayetteville shale play.

Alaska is the country's second leading natural gas producer in terms of gross withdrawals, but most of the state's production is not brought to market, as production volumes far exceed local demand and there is insufficient pipeline capacity to transport the gas to distant markets. Most of Alaska's natural gas not brought to market is re-injected into existing oil fields to provide sufficient pressure to maintain oil production rates.

Highlights from the top marketed natural gas producing states in 2011.....

Texas: Natural gas production increased 4.5% from the year before to the highest level since 1980, due in part to growing output from the Eagle Ford shale formation where drillers who are aggressively pursuing high-value liquid hydrocarbons are also producing growing amounts of natural gas.

Louisiana: Natural gas production increased 38% as the Haynesville shale gas formation in the northwest part of the state was one of the biggest shale gas producing plays in the United States.

Wyoming: Natural gas production fell 5.6% to the lowest level since 2007, as lower natural gas prices made coalbed methane gas that accounts for almost two-thirds of the state's natural gas production less profitable because high-priced gas liquids aren't normally found in coal seams.

Oklahoma: Natural gas production increased 3.9% to the second highest annual output since 1994 due to higher output in the Woodford shale play.

Colorado: Natural gas production grew about 1.4% as output increased for the 25th year in a row to break another record output high. The Niobrara shale play in the northeast corner of the state helped raise Colorado's natural gas production.

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Occidental Petroleum Announces First Quarter of 2012 Income

* Q1 2012 net income of $1.6 billion ($1.92 per diluted share)

* Q1 2012 total daily oil and gas production of 755,000 barrels of oil equivalent, the highest in Occidental’s history

* Q1 2012 domestic daily oil and gas production of 455,000 barrels of oil equivalent, record for the 6th consecutive quarter.

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Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:OXY) announced net income of $1.6 billion ($1.92 per diluted share) for the first quarter of 2012, compared with the first quarter of 2011 net income of $1.5 billion ($1.90 per diluted share).

In announcing the results, Stephen I. Chazen, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “For the quarter, we generated strong results with diluted EPS of $1.92 per share, cash flow from operations of $2.8 billion and annualized ROE of 16 percent. We increased our annual dividend rate by $0.32 per share, or 17 percent, to $2.16 per share.

“Our first quarter total company production of 755,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day was the highest in Occidental’s history and our domestic production of 455,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day was a record for the sixth consecutive quarter. We are the largest liquids producer in the lower 48 states and we increased our domestic liquids production by 6,000 barrels per day from the fourth quarter of 2011 and 35,000 barrels a day, or 12 percent, from the first quarter of 2011.”

Read the entire earnings report at oxy.com

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Chevron Reports Strong Earnings, Increases Dividend

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Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) today reported earnings of $6.5 billion ($3.27 per share – diluted) for the first quarter 2012, compared with $6.2 billion ($3.09 per share – diluted) in the 2011 first quarter.

• Portfolio produces strong earnings and cash flows
• Key development projects on track to deliver longer-term volume growth
• Dividend increase raises yield to 3.4 percent

Sales and other operating revenues in the first quarter 2012 were $59 billion, compared to $58 billion in the year ago period.

Earnings Summary

                                                   Three Months

                                                   Ended March 31

Millions of dollars                                                                2012                 2011
Earnings by Business Segment
Upstream                                                                          $6,171              $5,977
Downstream                                                                         804                   622
All Other                                                                             (504)                 (388)

Total (1)(2)                                                                        $6,471              $6,211
(1) Includes foreign currency effects                                                            $(228)                     $(164)
(2) Net income attributable to Chevron Corporation (See the entire report)

“In the first quarter, we continued to post strong earnings and healthy cash flows,” said Chairman and CEO John Watson. “This has enabled us to both reward our shareholders with a substantial dividend increase, our third in just over a year, and to reinvest in profitable growth projects to help meet rising global energy demand. Our key development projects remain on track to deliver compelling volume growth over the next five years.” Watson continued, “New production is coming on as planned, and we continue to see strong customer interest in our Australia LNG projects that underpin our future growth.”

Read the entire report at Chevron.Com

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Gold Bears Still Have the Advantage Despite a Bullish Spike on Thursday

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June crude oil closed up $0.46 a barrel at $104.57 today. Prices closed nearer the session high again today. Bulls and bears are on a level near term technical playing field, but the bulls are having a good week.

June natural gas closed down 4.0 cents at $2.13 today. Prices closed near the session low but did hit a fresh three week high early on today. The bears still have the overall near term technical advantage. There are still no early clues to suggest a market low is close at hand.

June gold futures closed up $18.00 an ounce at $1,660.40 today. Prices closed nearer the session high today and hit a fresh two week high. Short covering and bargain hunting were featured today. The key “outside markets” were in a mildly bullish posture for gold today as the U.S. dollar index was weaker and crude oil prices were firmer.

Gold bears have the slight overall near term technical advantage. Prices still are in a two month old downtrend on the daily bar chart.

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PetroChina Blows Out Earnings Estimates

PetroChina Company Limited (NYSE:PTR) achieved stable and smooth production and operations in the first quarter of 2012 as it enhanced its management to cope with the complex and changing domestic and overseas environment. PetroChina successfully fulfilled its key operational indexes, made steady progress in the construction of key projects, engaged in the stable expansion of its overseas business, and continued to improve its safety and environmental protection. Through these efforts, PetroChina’s operational performance progressed steadily, thereby, getting off to a good start for the year.

In the first quarter of 2012, according to both the International Financial Reporting Standards and the Chinese Accounting Standards, net profit attributable to the owners of the Company was RMB39.153 billion, representing an increase of 5.8% as compared with the same period last year, and the basic earnings per share was RMB0.21.

In respect of its exploration and production operations, the Company gave top priority to exploration and continued to implement the “Peak Growth in Oil and Gas Reserves” Program. By drawing on the favorable opportunity posed by the increase in global oil prices, the Company actively organized production and operations. Crude oil production increased steadily, while natural gas production grew rapidly. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company produced 227.0 million barrels of crude oil, representing an increase of 3.6% as compared with the same period last year, and 710.9 billion cubic feet of marketable natural gas, representing an increase of 11.2% as compared with the same period last year.

Read the entire report at PetroChina.Com

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ExxonMobil Disappoints, Misses on Earnings

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“First quarter results reflect our ongoing focus on developing and delivering energy needed to support job creation and economic growth. Despite continuing economic uncertainty, we are progressing our robust investment plans to meet the energy demands of the future.

“Capital and exploration expenditures were $8.8 billion as we continue with plans to invest about $37 billion per year over the next five years. “We continued to generate strong cash flow from operations and asset sales with $21.8 billion in the quarter.

“First quarter earnings of $9.5 billion were down 11% from the first quarter of 2011.
“Oil equivalent production was down over 5% from 2011. Excluding the impact of higher prices on entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was down 1%.
“The Corporation distributed more than $7 billion to shareholders in the first quarter through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.”

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Earnings of $9,450 million, which included gains from asset sales of about $400 million, decreased 11% or $1,200 million from the first quarter of 2011. Earnings per share (assuming dilution) were $2.00, a decrease of 7%. Capital and exploration expenditures were $8.8 billion, up 13% from the first quarter of 2011. Oil equivalent production decreased over 5% from the first quarter of 2011.

Excluding the impact of higher prices on entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was down 1%. Cash flow from operations and asset sales was $21.8 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of $2.5 billion. Share purchases to reduce shares outstanding were $5 billion. Dividends per share of $0.47 increased 7% compared to the first quarter of 2011.

ExxonMobil and Rosneft announced the signing of agreements to progress a long term Strategic Cooperation Agreement to jointly explore for and develop oil and natural gas in Russia, and to share technology and expertise. Additionally, Rosneft will take equity in exploration and development projects in the United States and Canada.

In Romania, ExxonMobil’s affiliate drilled a successful deepwater new play test on the Neptun block in the Black Sea with the Deepwater Champion drillship and has additional 3D seismic data acquisition planned to support future drilling opportunities on the block.

ExxonMobil participated in a successful exploration well offshore Tanzania which discovered approximately 5 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas in a high quality reservoir. A second exploration well is planned to test another prospect on the block.

Get more details on year to year earnings at ExxonMobil.com

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Crude Oil Trades Near Highs of the Week as Fed Says it's Ready to Protect Growth

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Crude oil traded near the highest level in more than a week after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said that while further stimulus is unlikely, central banks “remain prepared to do more” to protect the economy.

Futures were little changed, paring an earlier gain after more Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week. Economic growth is expected to “remain moderate over coming quarters and then to pick up gradually,” the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement. U.S. crude supplies gained more than estimated last week, and Iran’s envoy in Moscow said his country may halt the expansion of its atomic program to avert new Western sanctions.

“Bernanke will do something if things don’t get better,” said Hakan Kocayusufpasaoglu, chief investment officer at Archbridge Capital in Zug, Switzerland. “And when Bernanke says he’ll do whatever it takes to get the economic growth rate improving, that means the economic trajectory rises and oil demand increases over time. And his methods for doing something increase money supply, causing the dollar to depreciate and that lifts all commodities”

Read the entire Bloomberg article

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