FORM 10-K
Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

2007


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

or

¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to               

Commission File Number 1-2256

EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

NEW JERSEY

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

13-5409005

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

5959 LAS COLINAS BOULEVARD, IRVING, TEXAS 75039-2298

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(972) 444-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


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

Title of Each Class


   Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered


Common Stock, without par value (5,350,027,205 shares
outstanding at January 31, 2008)

   New York Stock Exchange
Registered securities guaranteed by Registrant:     

SeaRiver Maritime Financial Holdings, Inc.

    

Twenty-Five Year Debt Securities due October 1, 2011

   New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes   ü    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   ü    

 

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   ü    No        

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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.

 

Large accelerated filer    ü           Accelerated filer                 

Non-accelerated filer                  Smaller reporting company        

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 29, 2007, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the closing price on that date of $83.88 on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape, was in excess of $465 billion.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

    Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Part III)



Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION

FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page
Number


PART I
Item 1.   

Business

   1
Item 1A.   

Risk Factors

   2
Item 1B.   

Unresolved Staff Comments

   4
Item 2.   

Properties

   4
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

   20
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   20
Executive Officers of the Registrant [pursuant to Instruction 3 to Regulation S-K, Item 401(b)]    21
PART II
Item 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   22
Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

   23
Item 7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   23
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   23
Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   23
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    24
Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures    24
Item 9B.    Other Information    24
PART III
Item 10.   

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   25
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

   25
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   25
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

   26
Item 14.   

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

   26
PART IV
Item 15.   

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

   26
Financial Section    27
Signatures    91
Index to Exhibits    93
Exhibit 12 — Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges     
Exhibits 31 and 32 — Certifications     


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART I

 

Item 1.     Business.

 

Exxon Mobil Corporation was incorporated in the State of New Jersey in 1882. Divisions and affiliated companies of ExxonMobil operate or market products in the United States and most other countries of the world. Their principal business is energy, involving exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas, manufacture of petroleum products and transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products. ExxonMobil is a major manufacturer and marketer of commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics and a wide variety of specialty products. ExxonMobil also has interests in electric power generation facilities. Affiliates of ExxonMobil conduct extensive research programs in support of these businesses.

 

Exxon Mobil Corporation has several divisions and hundreds of affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso or Mobil. For convenience and simplicity, in this report the terms ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso and Mobil, as well as terms like Corporation, Company, our, we and its, are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or groups of affiliates. The precise meaning depends on the context in question.

 

Throughout ExxonMobil’s businesses, new and ongoing measures are taken to prevent and minimize the impact of our operations on air, water and ground. These include a significant investment in refining infrastructure and technology to manufacture clean fuels as well as projects to reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions and expenditures for asset retirement obligations. ExxonMobil’s 2007 worldwide environmental expenditures for all such preventative and remediation steps, including ExxonMobil’s share of equity company expenditures, were about $3.8 billion, of which $1.5 billion were capital expenditures and $2.3 billion were included in expenses. The total cost for such activities is expected to remain in this range in 2008 and 2009 (with capital expenditures approximately 45 percent of the total).

 

Operating data and industry segment information for the Corporation are contained in the Financial Section of this report under the following: “Quarterly Information”, “Note 17: Disclosures about Segments and Related Information” and “Operating Summary”. Information on oil and gas reserves is contained in the “Oil and Gas Reserves” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report. Information on Company-sponsored research and development activities is contained in “Note 3: Miscellaneous Financial Information” of the Financial Section of this report.

 

The number of regular employees was 80.8 thousand, 82.1 thousand and 83.7 thousand at years ended 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Regular employees are defined as active executive, management, professional, technical and wage employees who work full time or part time for the Corporation and are covered by the Corporation’s benefit plans and programs. Regular employees do not include employees of the company-operated retail sites (CORS). The number of CORS employees was 26.3 thousand, 24.3 thousand and 22.4 thousand at years ended 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

ExxonMobil maintains a website at exxonmobil.com. Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available through our website as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file or furnish the reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Also available on the Corporation’s website are the Company’s

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, as well as the charters of the audit, compensation and nominating committees of the Board of Directors. All of these documents are available in print without charge to shareholders who request them. Information on our website is not incorporated into this report.

 

Item 1A.     Risk Factors.

 

ExxonMobil’s financial and operating results are subject to a number of factors, many of which are not within the Company’s control. These factors include the following:

 

Industry and Economic Factors:    The oil and gas business is fundamentally a commodity business. This means the operations and earnings of the Corporation and its affiliates throughout the world may be significantly affected by changes in oil, gas and petrochemical prices and by changes in margins on gasoline and other refined products. Oil, gas, petrochemical and product prices and margins in turn depend on local, regional and global events or conditions that affect supply and demand for the relevant commodity. These events or conditions are generally not predictable and include, among other things:

 

   

general economic growth rates and the occurrence of economic recessions;

 

   

the development of new supply sources;

 

   

adherence by countries to OPEC quotas;

 

   

supply disruptions;

 

   

weather, including seasonal patterns that affect regional energy demand (such as the demand for heating oil or gas in winter) as well as severe weather events (such as hurricanes) that can disrupt supplies or interrupt the operation of ExxonMobil facilities;

 

   

technological advances, including advances in exploration, production, refining and petrochemical manufacturing technology and advances in technology relating to energy usage;

 

   

changes in demographics, including population growth rates and consumer preferences; and

 

   

the competitiveness of alternative hydrocarbon or other energy sources.

 

Under certain market conditions, factors that have a positive impact on one segment of our business may have a negative impact on another segment and vice versa.

 

Competitive Factors:    The energy and petrochemical industries are highly competitive. There is competition within the industries and also with other industries in supplying the energy, fuel and chemical needs of both industrial and individual consumers. The Corporation competes with other firms in the sale or purchase of needed goods and services in many national and international markets and employs all methods of competition which are lawful and appropriate for such purposes.

 

A key component of the Corporation’s competitive position, particularly given the commodity-based nature of many of its businesses, is ExxonMobil’s ability to manage expenses successfully. This requires continuous management focus on reducing unit costs and improving efficiency including through technology improvements, cost control, productivity enhancements and regular reappraisal of our asset portfolio as described elsewhere in this report.

 

Political and Legal Factors:    The operations and earnings of the Corporation and its affiliates throughout the world have been, and may in the future be, affected from time to time in varying degree by political and legal factors including:

 

   

political instability or lack of well-established and reliable legal systems in areas where the Corporation operates;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

other political developments and laws and regulations, such as expropriation or forced divestiture of assets, unilateral cancellation or modification of contract terms, and regulation of certain energy markets;

 

   

laws and regulations related to environmental or energy security matters, including those addressing alternative energy sources and the risks of global climate change;

 

   

restrictions on exploration, production, imports and exports;

 

   

restrictions on the Corporation’s ability to do business with certain countries, or to engage in certain areas of business within a country;

 

   

price controls;

 

   

tax or royalty increases, including retroactive claims;

 

   

war or other international conflicts; and

 

   

civil unrest.

 

Both the likelihood of these occurrences and their overall effect upon the Corporation vary greatly from country to country and are not predictable. A key component of the Corporation’s strategy for managing political risk is geographic diversification of the Corporation’s assets and operations.

 

Project Factors:    In addition to some of the factors cited above, ExxonMobil’s results depend upon the Corporation’s ability to develop and operate major projects and facilities as planned. The Corporation’s results will therefore be affected by events or conditions that impact the advancement, operation, cost or results of such projects or facilities, including:

 

   

the outcome of negotiations with co-venturers, governments, suppliers, customers or others (including, for example, our ability to negotiate favorable long-term contracts with customers, or the development of reliable spot markets, that may be necessary to support the development of particular production projects);

 

   

reservoir performance and natural field decline;

 

   

changes in operating conditions and costs, including costs of third party equipment or services such as drilling rigs and shipping;

 

   

security concerns or acts of terrorism that threaten or disrupt the safe operation of company facilities; and

 

   

the occurrence of unforeseen technical difficulties (including technical problems that may delay start-up or interrupt production from an Upstream project or that may lead to unexpected downtime of refineries or petrochemical plants).

 

See section 1 of Item 2 of this report for a discussion of additional factors affecting future capacity growth and the timing and ultimate recovery of reserves.

 

Market Risk Factors:    See the “Market Risks, Inflation and Other Uncertainties” portion of the Financial Section of this report for discussion of the impact of market risks, inflation and other uncertainties.

 

Projections, estimates and descriptions of ExxonMobil’s plans and objectives included or incorporated in Items 1, 2, 7 and 7A of this report are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including project completion dates, production rates, capital expenditures, costs and business plans could differ materially due to, among other things, the factors discussed above and elsewhere in this report.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
Item 1B.     Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None.

 

Item 2.    Properties.

 

Part of the information in response to this item and to the Securities Exchange Act Industry Guide 2 is contained in “Note 8: Property, Plant and Equipment and Asset Retirement Obligations” and in the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities,” both included in the Financial Section of this report.

 

Information with regard to oil and gas producing activities follows:

 

1.    Net Reserves of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas at Year-End 2007

 

Estimated proved reserves are shown in the “Oil and Gas Reserves” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report. No major discovery or other favorable or adverse event has occurred since December 31, 2007, that would cause a significant change in the estimated proved reserves as of that date. For information on the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves, see the “Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Cash Flows” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report.

 

The table below summarizes the oil-equivalent proved reserves in each geographic area for consolidated subsidiaries as detailed in the “Oil and Gas Reserves” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Corporation has reported proved reserves on the basis of December 31 prices and costs. Gas is converted to an oil-equivalent basis at six million cubic feet per one thousand barrels.

 

     Liquids

   Natural Gas

   Oil-Equivalent
Basis


     (millions of barrels)    (billions of cubic feet)    (millions of barrels)

United States

   1,851    13,172    4,046

Canada/South America

   939    1,559    1,199

Europe

   673    6,512    `1,758

Africa

   2,058    1,006    2,226

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   1,510    9,634    3,116

Russia/Caspian

   713    727    834
    
  
  

Total consolidated

   7,744    32,610    13,179
    
  
  

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Additional detail on developed and undeveloped oil-equivalent proved reserves is shown in the table below.

 

     Year-End 2007

   Year-End 2006

     Developed

   Undeveloped

   Developed

   Undeveloped

     (millions of oil-equivalent barrels)

Consolidated Subsidiaries

                   

United States

   2,723    1,323    3,013    879

Canada/South America

   899    300    1,173    553

Europe

   1,362    396    1,448    482

Africa

   1,331    895    1,416    837

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   2,055    1,061    2,070    814

Russia/Caspian

   157    677    183    739
    
  
  
  

Total

   8,527    4,652    9,303    4,304
    
  
  
  

Equity Companies

                   

United States

   316    79    329    84

Europe

   1,621    462    1,675    429

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   2,121    2,929    1,948    2,995

Russia/Caspian

   637    413    679    364
    
  
  
  

Total

   4,695    3,883    4,631    3,872
    
  
  
  

 

In the preceding reserves information, and in the reserves tables in the “Oil and Gas Reserves” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report, consolidated subsidiary and equity company reserves are reported separately. However, the Corporation operates its business with the same view of equity company reserves as it has for reserves from consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The Corporation’s overall volume capacity outlook, based on projects coming on stream as anticipated, is for production capacity to grow over the period 2008-2012. However, actual volumes will vary from year to year due to the timing of individual project start-ups, operational outages, reservoir performance, regulatory changes, asset sales, weather events, price effects on production sharing contracts and other factors as described in Item 1A—Risk Factors of this report.

 

The estimation of proved reserves, which is based on the requirement of reasonable certainty, is an ongoing process based on rigorous technical evaluations, commercial and market assessments and detailed analysis of well information such as flow rates and reservoir pressure declines. Furthermore, the Corporation only records proved reserves for projects which have received significant funding commitments by management made toward the development of the reserves. Although the Corporation is reasonably certain that proved reserves will be produced, the timing and amount recovered can be affected by a number of factors including completion of development projects, reservoir performance, regulatory approvals and significant changes in projections of long-term oil and gas price levels.

 

2.    Estimates of Total Net Proved Oil and Gas Reserves Filed with Other Federal Agencies

 

During 2007, ExxonMobil filed proved reserves estimates with the U.S. Department of Energy on Forms EIA-23 and EIA-28. The information on Form EIA-28 is presented on the same basis as the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006, which shows ExxonMobil’s net interests in all liquids and gas reserve volumes and changes thereto from both ExxonMobil-operated properties and properties operated by others. The data on Form EIA-23, although consistent with the data on Form EIA-28, is presented on a different basis, and includes 100 percent of the oil and gas volumes from ExxonMobil-operated properties only, regardless of the company’s net interest. In addition,

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Form EIA-23 information does not include gas plant liquids. The difference between the oil reserves and gas reserves reported on EIA-23 and those reported in the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006 exceeds five percent.

 

3.    Average Sales Prices and Production Costs per Unit of Production

 

Reference is made to the “Results of Operations” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report. Average sales prices have been calculated by using sales quantities from the Corporation’s own production as the divisor. Average production costs have been computed by using net production quantities for the divisor. The volumes of crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) production used for this computation are shown in the reserves table in the “Oil and Gas Reserves” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report. The volumes of natural gas used in the calculation are the production volumes of natural gas available for sale and thus are different from those shown in the reserves table in the “Oil and Gas Reserves” part of the “Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” portion of the Financial Section of this report due to volumes consumed or flared. The volumes of natural gas were converted to oil-equivalent barrels based on a conversion factor of six thousand cubic feet per barrel.

 

4.    Gross and Net Productive Wells

 

     Year-End 2007

   Year-End 2006

     Oil

   Gas

   Oil

   Gas

     Gross

   Net

   Gross

   Net

   Gross

   Net

   Gross

   Net

United States

   27,444    10,320    9,112    5,516    28,139    10,644    9,059    5,468

Canada/South America

   5,714    5,092    6,211    3,240    5,816    5,039    5,942    3,088

Europe

   1,599    477    1,188    472    1,780    528    1,300    509

Africa

   853    350    16    6    823    348    12    5

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   2,195    573    272    183    2,191    587    267    184

Russia/Caspian

   119    24          82    17      
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   37,924    16,836    16,799    9,417    38,831    17,163    16,580    9,254
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

The numbers of wells operated at year-end 2007 were 16,797 gross wells and 13,945 net wells. At year-end 2006, the numbers of operated wells were 16,914 gross wells and 13,988 net wells.

 

5.    Gross and Net Developed Acreage

 

     Year-End 2007

   Year-End 2006

     Gross

   Net

   Gross

   Net

     (thousands of acres)

United States

   9,001    5,174    9,045    5,178

Canada/South America

   5,391    2,337    5,502    2,331

Europe

   10,730    4,194    10,678    4,418

Africa

   1,889    729    1,842    717

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   8,124    1,649    8,210    1,655

Russia/Caspian

   531    116    531    116
    
  
  
  

Total

   35,666    14,199    35,808    14,415
    
  
  
  

 

Note: Separate acreage data for oil and gas are not maintained because, in many instances, both are produced from the same acreage.

 

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6.    Gross and Net Undeveloped Acreage

 

     Year-End 2007

   Year-End 2006

     Gross

   Net

   Gross

   Net

     (thousands of acres)

United States

   9,104    5,539    9,917    6,062

Canada/South America

   32,399    22,353    31,462    22,014

Europe

   13,552    6,002    8,089    2,727

Africa

   39,935    24,835    39,306    24,075

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   20,904    13,167    13,466    7,462

Russia/Caspian

   1,952    392    2,181    449
    
  
  
  

Total

   117,846    72,288    104,421    62,789
    
  
  
  

 

        ExxonMobil’s investment in developed and undeveloped acreage is comprised of numerous concessions, blocks and leases. The terms and conditions under which the Corporation maintains exploration and/or production rights to the acreage are property-specific, contractually defined and vary significantly from property to property. Work programs are designed to ensure that the exploration potential of any property is fully evaluated before expiration. In some instances, the Corporation may elect to relinquish acreage in advance of the contractual expiration date if the evaluation process is complete and there is not a business basis for extension. In cases where additional time may be required to fully evaluate acreage, the Corporation has generally been successful in obtaining extensions.

 

7.     Summary of Acreage Terms in Key Areas

 

UNITED STATES

 

Oil and gas leases have an exploration period ranging from one to ten years, and a production period that normally remains in effect until production ceases. In some instances, a “fee interest” is acquired where both the surface and the underlying mineral interests are owned outright.

 

CANADA / SOUTH AMERICA

 

Canada

 

Exploration permits are granted for varying periods of time with renewals possible. Production leases are held as long as there is production on the lease. The majority of Cold Lake leases were taken for an initial 21-year term in 1968-1969 and renewed for a second 21-year term in 1989-1990. The exploration acreage in eastern Canada and the block in the Beaufort Sea acquired in 2007 are currently held by work commitments of various amounts.

 

Argentina

 

The onshore concession terms in Argentina are up to four years for the initial exploration period, up to three years for the second exploration period and up to two years for the third exploration period. A 50-percent relinquishment is required after each exploration period. An extension after the third exploration period is possible for up to five years. The total production term is 25 years with a ten-year extension possible, once a field has been developed.

 

Venezuela

 

Until the recent Venezuelan Government actions described below, exploration and production activities were governed by Association Agreements containing risk/profit provisions negotiated with the national oil company or its affiliates. Association Agreements were awarded for a term not to

 

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exceed 39 years. These agreements had an exploration and a production phase. The term of production began after the exploration phase for a duration of 20 years with the possibility of an extension, so long as the total contract term did not exceed 39 years.

 

Strategic association agreements (such as the Cerro Negro project) were typically limited to those projects that required vertical integration for extra heavy crude oil. Contracts were awarded for 35 years. Significant amendments to the contract terms required Venezuelan congressional approval.

 

On February 26, 2007, President Chavez issued Law Decree N° 5200 which mandated the Conversion of the Orinoco Belt Association Agreements (Cerro Negro) and Oil Profit Sharing Agreements (La Ceiba) into Mixed Enterprises (the “Nationalization Decree”). The Nationalization Decree further ordered the transfer of operations to PdVSA Petroleos, S. A. (PdVSA) by April 30, 2007. The ExxonMobil affiliates in Venezuela were unable to reach agreement to migrate to a Mixed Enterprise by June 26, 2007, as required by the Nationalization Decree. Assets were expropriated on June 27, 2007. On September 6, 2007, the ExxonMobil affiliates filed a Request for Arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes against Venezuela. ExxonMobil also has filed an arbitration under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce against PdVSA and a PdVSA affiliate for breach of their contractual obligations under certain Cerro Negro Project agreements.

 

Refer to the relevant portion of “Note 15: Litigation and Other Contingencies” of the Financial Section of this report for additional information.

 

EUROPE

 

Germany

 

Exploration concessions are granted for an initial maximum period of five years with possible extensions of up to three years for an indefinite period. Extensions are subject to specific, minimum work commitments. Production licenses are normally granted for 20 to 25 years with multiple possible extensions as long as there is production on the license. In May 2007, ExxonMobil affiliates acquired four exploration licenses over 1.3 million acres in the Lower Saxony Basin. The exploration licenses are for a period of five years during which exploration work programs will be carried out.

 

Netherlands

 

Under the Mining Law, effective January 1, 2003, exploration and production licenses for both onshore and offshore areas are issued for a period as explicitly defined in the license. The term is based on the period of time necessary to perform the activities for which the license is issued. License conditions are stipulated in the Mining Law.

 

Production rights granted prior to January 1, 2003, remain subject to their existing terms, and differ slightly for onshore and offshore areas. Onshore production licenses issued prior to 1988 were indefinite; from 1988 they were issued for a period as explicitly defined in the license, ranging from 35 to 45 years. Offshore production licenses issued before 1976 were issued for a fixed period of 40 years; from 1976 they were again issued for a period as explicitly defined in the license, ranging from 15 to 40 years.

 

Norway

 

Licenses issued prior to 1972 were for an initial period of six years and an extension period of 40 years, with relinquishment of at least one-fourth of the original area required at the end of the sixth

 

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year and another one-fourth at the end of the ninth year. Licenses issued between 1972 and 1997 were for an initial period of up to six years (with extension of the initial period of one year at a time up to ten years after 1985), and an extension period of up to 30 years, with relinquishment of at least one-half of the original area required at the end of the initial period. Licenses issued after July 1, 1997, have an initial period of up to ten years and a normal extension period of up to 30 years or in special cases of up to 50 years, and with relinquishment of at least one-half of the original area required at the end of the initial period.

 

United Kingdom

 

Acreage terms are fixed by the government and are periodically changed. For example, many of the early licenses issued under the first four licensing rounds provided for an initial term of six years with relinquishment of at least one-half of the original area at the end of the initial term, subject to extension for a further 40 years. ExxonMobil’s licenses issued in 2005 as part of the 23rd licensing round have an initial term of four years with a second term extension of four years and a final term of 18 years. There is a mandatory relinquishment of 50-percent of the acreage after the initial term and of all acreage that is not covered by a development plan at the end of the second term.

 

AFRICA

 

Angola

 

Exploration and production activities are governed by production sharing agreements with an initial exploration term of four years and an optional second phase of two to three years. The production period is for 25 years, and agreements generally provide for a negotiated extension.

 

Cameroon

 

Exploration and production activities are governed by various agreements negotiated with the national oil company and the government of Cameroon. Exploration permits are granted for terms from four to 16 years and are generally renewable for multiple periods up to four years each. Upon commercial discovery, mining concessions are issued for a period of 25 years with one 25-year extension.

 

Chad

 

Exploration permits are issued for a period of five years, and are renewable for one or two further five-year periods. The terms and conditions of the permits, including relinquishment obligations, are specified in a negotiated convention. The production term is for 30 years and may be extended at the discretion of the government. In May 2007, Chad enacted a new Petroleum Code which would govern new acquisitions.

 

Equatorial Guinea

 

Exploration and production activities are governed by production sharing contracts negotiated with the State Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy. The exploration periods are for ten to 15 years with limited relinquishments in the absence of commercial discoveries. The production period for crude oil is 30 years while the production period for gas is 50 years. A new Hydrocarbons Law was enacted in November 2006. Under the new law, the exploration terms for new production sharing contracts are expected to be four to five years with a maximum of two one-year extensions, unless the Ministry agrees otherwise.

 

9


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Index to Financial Statements

Nigeria

 

Exploration and production activities in the deepwater offshore areas are typically governed by production sharing contracts (PSCs) with the national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). NNPC holds the underlying Oil Prospecting License (OPL) and any resulting Oil Mining Lease (OML). The terms of the PSCs are generally 30 years, including a ten-year exploration period (an initial exploration phase plus one or two optional periods) covered by an OPL. Upon commercial discovery, an OPL may be converted to an OML. Partial relinquishment is required under the PSC at the end of the ten-year exploration period, and OMLs have a 20-year production period that may be extended.

 

Some exploration activities are carried out in deepwater by joint ventures with local companies holding interests in an OPL. OPLs in deepwater offshore areas are valid for ten years and are non-renewable, while in all other areas the licenses are for five years and also are non-renewable. Demonstrating a commercial discovery is the basis for conversion of an OPL to an OML.

 

OMLs granted prior to the 1969 Petroleum Act (i.e., under the Mineral Oils Act 1914, repealed by the 1969 Petroleum Act) were for 30 years onshore and 40 years in offshore areas and are renewable upon 12 months’ written notice, for further periods of 30 and 40 years, respectively. Operations under these pre-1969 OMLs are conducted under a joint venture agreement with NNPC rather than a PSC. In 2000, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed defining commercial terms applicable to existing joint venture oil production. The MOU may be terminated on one calendar year’s notice.

 

OMLs granted under the 1969 Petroleum Act, which include all deepwater OMLs, have a maximum term of 20 years without distinction for onshore or offshore location and are renewable, upon 12 months’ written notice, for another period of 20 years. OMLs not held by NNPC are also subject to a mandatory 50-percent relinquishment after the first ten years of their duration.

 

ASIA PACIFIC / MIDDLE EAST

 

Australia

 

Exploration and production activities are conducted offshore and are governed by Federal legislation. Exploration permits are granted for an initial term of six years with two possible five-year renewal periods. A 50-percent relinquishment of remaining area is mandatory at the end of each renewal period. Retention leases may be granted for resources that are not commercially viable at the time of application, but are expected to become commercially viable within 15 years. These are granted for periods of five years and renewals may be requested. Prior to July 1998, production licenses were granted initially for 21 years, with a further renewal of 21 years and thereafter “indefinitely”, i.e., for the life of the field (if no operations for the recovery of petroleum have been carried on for five years, the license may be terminated). Effective from July 1998, new production licenses are granted “indefinitely”.

 

Indonesia

 

Exploration and production activities in Indonesia are generally governed by cooperation contracts, usually in the form of a production sharing contract, negotiated with BPMIGAS, a government agency established in 2002 to manage upstream oil and gas activities. Formerly this activity was carried out by Pertamina, the government owned oil company, which is now a competing limited liability company.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Japan

 

The Mining Law provides for the granting of concessions that convey exploration and production rights. Exploration rights are granted for an initial two-year period, and may be extended for two two-year periods for gas and three two-year periods for oil. Production rights have no fixed term and continue until abandonment so long as the rights holder is fulfilling its obligations.

 

Malaysia

 

Exploration and production activities are governed by production sharing contracts negotiated with the national oil company. The more recent contracts have an overall term of 24 to 38 years, depending on water depth, with possible extensions to the exploration and/or development periods. The exploration period is five to seven years with the possibility of extensions, after which time areas with no commercial discoveries will be deemed relinquished. The development period is from four to six years from commercial discovery, with the possibility of extensions under special circumstances. Areas from which commercial production has not started by the end of the development period will be deemed relinquished if no extension is granted. All extensions are subject to the national oil company’s prior written approval. The total production period is 15 to 25 years from first commercial lifting, not to exceed the overall term of the contract.

 

Papua New Guinea

 

Exploration and production activities are governed by the Oil and Gas Act. Petroleum Prospecting licenses are granted for an initial term of six years with a five-year extension possible (an additional extension of three years is possible in certain circumstances). Generally, a 50-percent relinquishment of the license area is required at the end of the initial six-year term, if extended. Petroleum Development licenses are granted for an initial 25-year period. An extension of up to 20 years may be granted at the Minister’s discretion. Petroleum Retention licenses may be granted for gas resources that are not commercially viable at the time of application, but may become commercially viable within the maximum possible retention time of 15 years. Petroleum Retention licenses are granted for five-year terms, and may be extended, at the Minister’s discretion, twice for the maximum retention time of 15 years. Recent amendments of the Oil and Gas Act provide that extensions of Petroleum Retention licenses may be for periods of less than one year, renewable annually, if the Minister considers at the time of extension that the resources could become commercially viable in less than five years.

 

Qatar

 

The State of Qatar grants gas production development project rights to develop and supply gas from the offshore North Field to permit the economic development and production of gas reserves sufficient to satisfy the gas and LNG sales obligations of these projects.

 

Republic of Yemen

 

Production sharing agreements (PSAs) negotiated with the government entitle the company to participate in exploration operations within a designated area during the exploration period. In the event of a commercial oil discovery, the company is entitled to proceed with development and production operations during the development period. The length of these periods and other specific terms are negotiated prior to executing the PSA. Existing production operations have a development period extending 20 years from first commercial declaration made in November 1985 for the Marib

 

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Index to Financial Statements

PSA and June 1995 for the Jannah PSA. The Government of Yemen awarded a five-year extension of the Marib PSA, but later repudiated the extension and expelled the concession holders. The parties are now in arbitration over the validity of the extension.

 

Thailand

 

The Petroleum Act of 1971 allows production under ExxonMobil’s concession for 30 years with a ten-year extension at terms generally prevalent at the time.

 

United Arab Emirates

 

Exploration and production activities for the major onshore oilfields in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are governed by a 75-year oil concession agreement executed in 1939 and subsequently amended through various agreements with the government of Abu Dhabi. An interest in the Upper Zakum field, a major offshore field, was acquired effective as of January 1, 2006, for a term expiring March 9, 2026, on fiscal terms consistent with the Company’s existing interests in Abu Dhabi.

 

RUSSIA/CASPIAN

 

Azerbaijan

 

The production sharing agreement (PSA) for the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field is established for an initial period of 30 years starting from the PSA execution date in 1994.

 

Other exploration and production activities are governed by PSAs negotiated with the national oil company of Azerbaijan. The exploration period consists of three or four years with the possibility of a one to three-year extension. The production period, which includes development, is for 25 years or 35 years with the possibility of one or two five-year extensions.

 

Kazakhstan

 

Onshore:  Exploration and production activities are governed by the production license, exploration license and joint venture agreements negotiated with the Republic of Kazakhstan. Existing production operations have a 40-year production period that commenced in 1993.

 

Offshore:  Exploration and production activities are governed by a production sharing agreement negotiated with the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exploration period was six years followed by separate appraisal periods for each discovery. The production period for each discovery, which includes development, is for 20 years from the date of declaration of commerciality with the possibility of two ten-year extensions.

 

Russia

 

Terms for ExxonMobil’s acreage are fixed by the production sharing agreement (PSA) that became effective in 1996 between the Russian government and the Sakhalin-1 consortium, of which ExxonMobil is the operator. The term of the PSA is 20 years from the Declaration of Commerciality, which would be 2021. The term may be extended thereafter in 10-year increments as specified in the PSA.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

8.    Number of Net Productive and Dry Wells Drilled

 

     2007

   2006

   2005

A. Net Productive Exploratory Wells Drilled

              

United States

   12    10    13

Canada/South America

   1    3    1

Europe

   2    2    4

Africa

   2    4    5

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   1    2    1

Russia/Caspian

   1      
    
  
  

Total

   19    21    24
    
  
  

B. Net Dry Exploratory Wells Drilled

              

United States

   8    5    5

Canada/South America

   1    1   

Europe

   2    2    1

Africa

   4    4    5

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   1       1

Russia/Caspian

         1
    
  
  

Total

   16    12    13
    
  
  

C. Net Productive Development Wells Drilled

              

United States

   451    552    537

Canada/South America

   377    373    272

Europe

   16    22    19

Africa

   43    64    61

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   26    25    50

Russia/Caspian

   4    5    7
    
  
  

Total

   917    1,041    946
    
  
  

D. Net Dry Development Wells Drilled

              

United States

   15    5    8

Canada/South America

      1    2

Europe

   3    4    2

Africa

   1    1   

Asia Pacific/Middle East

         2

Russia/Caspian

        
    
  
  

Total

   19    11    14
    
  
  

Total number of net wells drilled

   971    1,085    997
    
  
  

 

9.    Present Activities

 

A. Wells Drilling

 

     Year-End 2007

   Year-End 2006

     Gross

   Net

   Gross

   Net

United States

   118    65    214    109

Canada/South America

   187    125    226    183

Europe

   41    6    55    11

Africa

   30    11    50    19

Asia Pacific/Middle East

   46    25    49    14

Russia/Caspian

   36    5    33    6
    
  
  
  

Total

   458    237    627    342
    
  
  
  

 

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Index to Financial Statements

B. Review of Principal Ongoing Activities in Key Areas

 

During 2007, ExxonMobil’s activities were conducted, either directly or through affiliated companies, by ExxonMobil Exploration Company (for exploration), by ExxonMobil Development Company (for large development activities), by ExxonMobil Production Company (for producing and smaller development activities) and by ExxonMobil Gas & Power Marketing Company (for gas marketing). During this same period, some of ExxonMobil’s exploration, development, production and gas marketing activities were also conducted in Canada by the Resources Division of Imperial Oil Limited, which is 69.6 percent owned by ExxonMobil.

 

Some of the more significant ongoing activities are set forth below:

 

UNITED STATES

 

ExxonMobil’s year-end 2007 acreage holdings totaled 10.7 million net acres, of which 2.1 million net acres were offshore. ExxonMobil was active in areas onshore and offshore in the lower 48 states and in Alaska.

 

During 2007, 459.7 net exploration and development wells were completed in the inland lower 48 states and 4.0 net exploration and development wells were completed offshore in the Pacific. Tight gas development continued in the Piceance Basin of Colorado and the Barnett Shale in Texas. Participation in Alaska production and development continued and a total of 16.7 net development wells were drilled. On Alaska’s North Slope, activity continued on the Western Region Development Project (primarily the Orion field) with development drilling and engineering design for future facility expansions.

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage in the Gulf of Mexico at year-end 2007 was 2.0 million acres. A total of 6.2 net exploration and development wells were completed during the year. Activity on the Thunder Horse project progressed in 2007, including work to rebuild and reinstall subsea equipment resulting from the 2005 listing incident and from subsea manifold failures. Start-up is anticipated in 2008.

 

The Golden Pass LNG regasification terminal in Texas is under construction. The terminal will have the capacity to supply two billion cubic feet of gas per day.

 

CANADA / SOUTH AMERICA

 

Canada

 

ExxonMobil’s year-end 2007 acreage holdings totaled 7.3 million net acres, of which 3.3 million net acres were offshore. A total of 373.8 net exploration and development wells were completed during the year.

 

Argentina

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage totaled 0.2 million onshore acres at year-end 2007, and there were 4.3 net development wells completed during the year.

 

Venezuela

 

ExxonMobil’s acreage holdings and assets were expropriated in 2007. Refer to the relevant portion of “Note 15: Litigation and Other Contingencies” of the Financial Section of this report for additional information.

 

EUROPE

 

Germany

 

A total of 3.1 million net onshore acres and 0.1 million net offshore acres were held by ExxonMobil at year-end 2007, with 5.2 net development and exploration wells drilled during the year.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Netherlands

 

ExxonMobil’s net interest in licenses totaled approximately 1.6 million acres at year-end 2007, of which 1.3 million acres were onshore. A total of 3.8 net exploration and development wells were completed during the year. The offshore L09 project was progressed while the Waddenzee project started up. The multi-year Groningen onshore project to renovate production clusters, install new compression to maintain capacity and extend field life continued. The project to redevelop the previously abandoned Schoonebeek oil field was approved in 2007.

 

Norway

 

ExxonMobil’s net interest in licenses at year-end 2007 totaled approximately 0.8 million acres, all offshore. ExxonMobil participated in 7.1 net exploration and development well completions in 2007. The Ormen Lange and Statfjord Late Life projects and the Njord Gas Export project started up in 2007. The Volve and Tyrihans projects are in progress.

 

United Kingdom

 

ExxonMobil’s net interest in licenses at year-end 2007 totaled approximately 1.6 million acres, all offshore. A total of 6.7 net development wells were completed during the year. Divestment of the mature Southern North Sea operated acreage was completed in 2007 (0.2 million acres). Significant projects progressed during the year include Starling, Caravel, and the St. Fergus gas processing facilities refurbishment. The South Hook LNG regasification terminal in Wales is anticipated to start up in 2008. The terminal will have the capacity to supply two billion cubic feet of gas per day into the natural gas grid.

 

AFRICA

 

Angola

 

ExxonMobil’s year-end 2007 acreage holdings totaled 0.7 million net offshore acres. 12.0 net exploration and development wells were completed during the year. On Block 15, development drilling continued on Kizomba A and Kizomba B. The Marimba development project, which was a tie-back to the Kizomba A FPSO, started up in 2007. The Kizomba C Mondo project started up in January 2008 and will be followed by the Kizomba C Saxi/Batuque project later in the year. A block-wide 3D seismic acquisition program began in the fourth quarter of 2007. On the non-operated Block 17, the Rosa project started up in June 2007. The Pazflor project was approved in 2007. Production operations continue at Kizomba A, Kizomba B, Xikomba and the non-operated Girassol, Jasmim and Dalia fields.

 

Cameroon

 

ExxonMobil’s acreage was 0.1 million net offshore acres.

 

Chad

 

ExxonMobil’s net year-end 2007 acreage holdings consisted of 3.3 million onshore acres, with 19.6 net exploration and development wells completed during the year. Production began from the Maikeri field.

 

Equatorial Guinea

 

ExxonMobil’s acreage totaled 0.2 million net offshore acres at year-end 2007, with 4.9 net exploration and development wells completed during the year.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Nigeria

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage totaled 1.3 million offshore acres at year-end 2007, with 12.8 net exploration and development wells completed during the year. Production was initiated from the Erha North Expansion area in December 2007. Construction continued on the ExxonMobil-operated East Area Natural Gas Liquids II project with startup planned for 2008. A 3D seismic acquisition program was initiated to both enhance resolution of existing fields and target deeper formations. Major contracts on the Usan project are expected to be awarded in early 2008.

 

ASIA PACIFIC / MIDDLE EAST

 

Australia

 

ExxonMobil’s net year-end 2007 offshore acreage holdings totaled 2.4 million offshore acres. During 2007, a total of 9.3 net exploration and development wells were drilled. The Kipper gas project was approved for development in 2007.

 

Indonesia

 

At year-end 2007, ExxonMobil had 4.9 million net acres, 4.1 million acres offshore and 0.8 million acres onshore, with 0.5 net exploration wells completed during the year. Project activities continued on the Banyu Urip development in the Cepu Contract area.

 

Japan

 

ExxonMobil’s net offshore acreage was 36 thousand acres at year-end 2007.

 

Malaysia

 

ExxonMobil has interests in production sharing contracts covering 0.5 million net acres offshore Malaysia at year-end 2007. During the year, a total of 3.5 net development wells were completed. Infill drilling wells were successfully completed at the Tabu B and Angsi platforms. Project-related drilling activity was completed at Tabu B and is currently ongoing at Tabu A. Project work continued on the Jerneh B platform installation.

 

Papua New Guinea

 

A total of 0.5 million net onshore acres were held by ExxonMobil at year-end 2007, with 1.3 net exploration and development wells completed during the year.

 

Qatar

 

Production and development activities continued on natural gas projects in Qatar. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) operating companies include:

 

Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited — (QG I)

Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (II) — (QG II)

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited — (RL I)

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II) — (RL II)

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (3) — (RL 3)

 

In addition, ExxonMobil’s Al Khaleej Gas (AKG) Phase 1 project supplied pipeline gas to domestic industrial customers. The AKG facilities add sales gas capacity of up to 750 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day) and produces associated condensate and LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas). The AKG Phase 2 project is planned to add sales gas capacity of up to 1,250 mcfd, while recovering associated condensate and LPG.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

At the end of 2007, 70 (gross) wells supplied natural gas to currently-producing LNG and pipeline gas sales facilities and drilling is underway to complete wells that will supply the new QG II, RL 3 and AKG 2 projects. At year-end 2007, ExxonMobil had 1.1 million net acres, 1.0 million acres onshore and 0.1 million acres offshore. During 2007, 8.2 net development and exploration wells were completed.

 

Qatar LNG capacity volumes at year-end 2007 included 9.7 MTA (millions of metric tons per annum) in QG trains 1-3 and a combined 20.7 MTA in RL I trains 1-2 and RL II trains 3-5. In November 2006 production commenced at RL II train 5, with the offshore facilities completed in January 2007. Construction of QG II trains 4-5 will add planned capacity of 15.6 MTA when complete. In addition, construction of RL 3 trains 6-7 will add planned capacity of 15.6 MTA when complete.

 

The conversion factor to translate Qatar LNG volumes (millions of metric tons – MT) into gas volumes (billions of cubic feet – BCF) is dependent on the gas quality and the quality of the LNG produced. The conversion factors are approximately 46 BCF/MT for QG I trains 1-3, RL I trains 1-2, RL II train 3, and approximately 49 BCF/MT for QG II trains 4-5, RL II trains 4-5, and RL 3 trains 6-7.

 

Republic of Yemen

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage in the Republic of Yemen production sharing areas totaled 10 thousand acres onshore at year-end.

 

Thailand

 

ExxonMobil’s net onshore acreage in Thailand concessions totaled 21 thousand acres at year-end 2007, with a total of 0.1 net development wells completed during the year.

 

United Arab Emirates

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage in the Abu Dhabi oil concessions was 0.6 million acres at year-end 2007, of which 0.4 million acres were onshore and 0.2 million acres offshore. During the year, a total of 5.2 net development and exploration wells were completed. During 2007, work progressed on multiple field development projects, both onshore and offshore, to sustain and increase oil production capacity.

 

RUSSIA / CASPIAN

 

Azerbaijan

 

At year-end 2007, ExxonMobil’s net acreage, located in the Caspian Sea offshore of Azerbaijan, totaled 60 thousand acres. At the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field, 0.9 net development wells were completed and production ramp-up continued. Construction continued on the Phase 3 Deep Water Gunashli project with production start up anticipated in 2008.

 

Kazakhstan

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage totaled 0.2 million acres onshore and 0.2 million acres offshore at year-end 2007, with 0.9 net exploration and development wells completed during 2007. Initial oil production from the first expansion at Tengiz was achieved in 2007 with activities ongoing to complete the project. Construction of the initial phase of the Kashagan field continued during 2007.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Russia

 

ExxonMobil’s net acreage holdings at year-end 2007 were 0.1 million acres, all offshore. A total of 3.0 net development wells were completed in the Chayvo field during the year and Phase 1 drilling activities are continuing. Full-field production (Phase 1) began in the fourth quarter 2006. Phase 1 facilities include an offshore platform, onshore drill site for extended-reach drilling to offshore oil zones, an onshore processing plant, an oil pipeline from Sakhalin Island to the Russian mainland, a mainland terminal and an offshore loading buoy for shipment of oil by tanker.

 

WORLDWIDE EXPLORATION

 

At year-end 2007, exploration activities were underway in several areas in which ExxonMobil has no established production operations and thus are not included above. A total of 45 million net acres were held at year-end 2007, and 1.0 net exploration wells were completed during the year in these countries.

 

Information with regard to mining activities follows:

 

Syncrude Operations

 

Syncrude is a joint-venture established to recover shallow deposits of oil sands using open-pit mining methods, to extract the crude bitumen, and to produce a high-quality, light (32 degree API), sweet, synthetic crude oil. The Syncrude operation, located near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, mines a portion of the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit. The location is readily accessible by public road. The produced synthetic crude oil is shipped from the Syncrude site to Edmonton, Alberta by Alberta Oil Sands Pipeline Ltd. Since start-up in 1978, Syncrude has produced about 1.8 billion barrels of synthetic crude oil. Imperial Oil Limited is the owner of a 25 percent interest in the joint-venture. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 69.6 percent interest in Imperial Oil Limited.

 

Operating License and Leases

 

Syncrude has an operating license issued by the Province of Alberta which is effective until 2035. This license permits Syncrude to mine oil sands and produce synthetic crude oil from approved development areas on oil sands leases. Syncrude holds eight oil sands leases covering approximately 248,300 acres in the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit which were issued by the Province of Alberta. The leases are automatically renewable as long as oil sands operations are ongoing or the leases are part of an approved development plan. Syncrude leases 10, 12, 17, 22 and 34 (containing proven reserves) and leases 29, 30 and 31 (containing no proven reserves) are included within a development plan approved by the Province of Alberta. There were no known previous commercial operations on these leases prior to the start-up of operations in 1978.

 

Operations, Plant and Equipment

 

Operations at Syncrude involve three main processes: open pit mining, extraction of crude bitumen and upgrading of crude bitumen into synthetic crude oil. The Base mine (located on lease 17) was depleted and ceased production in 2007. In the North mine (leases 17 and 22) and in the Aurora mine (leases 10, 12 and 34), truck, shovel and hydrotransport systems are used. Production from the Aurora mine commenced in 2000. The extraction facilities, which separate crude bitumen from sand, are capable of processing approximately 830,000 tons of oil sands a day, producing 150 million barrels of crude bitumen a year. This represents recovery capability of about 93 percent of the crude bitumen contained in the mined oil sands.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Crude bitumen extracted from oil sands is refined to a marketable hydrocarbon product through a combination of carbon removal in three large, high-temperature, fluid-coking vessels and by hydrogen addition in high-temperature, high-pressure, hydrocracking vessels. These processes remove carbon and sulfur and reformulate the crude into a low viscosity, low sulfur, high-quality synthetic crude oil product. In 2007, this upgrading process yielded 0.843 barrels of synthetic crude oil per barrel of crude bitumen. In 2007 about 38 percent of the synthetic crude oil was processed by Edmonton area refineries and the remaining 62 percent was pipelined to refineries in eastern Canada and exported, primarily to the United States. Electricity is provided to Syncrude by a 270 megawatt electricity generating plant and a 160 megawatt electricity generating plant, both located at Syncrude. The generating plants are owned by the Syncrude participants. Recycled water is the primary water source, and incremental raw water is drawn, under license, from the Athabasca River. Imperial Oil Limited’s 25 percent share of net investment in plant, property and equipment, including surface mining facilities, transportation equipment and upgrading facilities was about $3.4 billion at year-end 2007.

 

Synthetic Crude Oil Reserves

 

The crude bitumen is contained within the unconsolidated sands of the McMurray Formation. Ore bodies are buried beneath 50 to 150 feet of overburden, have bitumen grades ranging from 4 to 14 weight percent and ore thickness of 115 to 160 feet. Estimates of synthetic crude oil reserves are based on detailed geological and engineering assessments of in-place crude bitumen volume, the mining plan, extraction recovery and upgrading yield factors, installed plant operating capacity and operating approval limits. The in-place volume, depth and grade are established through extensive and closely spaced core drilling. In active mining areas, the approximate well spacing is 400 feet (150 wells per section) and in future mining areas, the well spacing is approximately 1,150 feet (20 wells per section). Proven reserves are within the operating North and Aurora mines. In accordance with the approved mining plan, there are extractable oil sands in the North and Aurora mines, with average bitumen grades of 10.6 and 11.2 weight percent, respectively. After deducting royalties payable to the Province of Alberta, Imperial Oil Limited estimates that its 25 percent net share of proven reserves at year-end 2007 was equivalent to 694 million barrels of synthetic crude oil. Imperial’s reserve assessment uses a 6 percent and 7 percent bitumen grade cut-off for the North mine and Aurora mine respectively, a 90 percent overall extraction recovery, a 97 percent mining dilution factor and an 88 percent upgrading yield.

 

In 2001, the Syncrude owners endorsed a further development of the Syncrude resource in the area and expansion of the upgrading facilities. The Syncrude Aurora 2 and Upgrader Expansion 1 project added a remote mining train and expanded the central processing and upgrading plant. This increased upgrading capacity came on stream in 2006 and increased production capacity to 355 thousand barrels of synthetic crude oil per day (gross). Additional mining trains in the North mine and Aurora mine were also completed in 2005. There are no approved plans for major future expansion projects.

 

In 2007, the Alberta government proposed changes to the generic oil sands royalty regime beginning in 2009. The Syncrude Joint Venture owners have a Crown Agreement with the Province of Alberta that codifies the royalty rates through December 31, 2015. The Syncrude Joint Venture owners are in discussions with the Alberta government to determine if an amended agreement can be negotiated that would transition Syncrude to the new generic royalty regime before 2016.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

ExxonMobil Share of Net Proven Syncrude Reserves(1)

 

     Synthetic Crude Oil

 
     Base Mine and
North Mine


    Aurora Mine

    Total

 
     (millions of barrels)  

January 1, 2007

   199     519     718  

Revision of previous estimate

            

Production

   (11 )   (13 )   (24 )
    

 

 

December 31, 2007

   188     506     694  
    

 

 


(1)   Net reserves are the company’s share of reserves after deducting royalties payable to the Province of Alberta.

 

Syncrude Operating Statistics (total operation)

 

     2007

   2006

   2005

   2004

   2003

Operating Statistics

                        

Total mined overburden (millions of cubic yards)(1)

   132.2    128.2    97.1    100.3    109.2

Mined overburden to oil sands ratio(1)

   1.06    1.18    1.02    0.94    1.15

Oil sands mined (millions of tons)

   221.0    195.5    168.0    188.0    168.0

Average bitumen grade (weight percent)

   11.6    11.4    11.1    11.1    11.0
    
  
  
  
  

Crude bitumen in mined oil sands (millions of tons)

   25.6    22.2    18.6    20.9    18.5

Average extraction recovery (percent)

   91.8    90.3    89.1    87.3    88.6
    
  
  
  
  

Crude bitumen production (millions of barrels)(2)

   132.5    111.6    94.2    103.3    92.3

Average upgrading yield (percent)

   84.3    84.9    85.3    85.5    86.0
    
  
  
  
  

Gross synthetic crude oil produced (millions of barrels)

   113.0    95.5    79.3    88.4    78.4

ExxonMobil net share (millions of barrels)(3)

   24    21    19    22    19

(1)   Includes pre-stripping of mine areas and reclamation volumes.
(2)   Crude bitumen production is equal to crude bitumen in mined oil sands multiplied by the average extraction recovery and the appropriate conversion factor.
(3)   Reflects ExxonMobil’s 25 percent interest in production less applicable royalties payable to the Province of Alberta.

 

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

 

On October 4, 2007, the Company received a proposed agreed order from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) relating to an alleged unauthorized air emission event at the Company’s Baytown, Texas chemical plant on May 14, 2007. The TCEQ is seeking an administrative penalty of $118,675, and it has referred the matter to its litigation division. ExxonMobil disputes the penalty calculation methodology utilized by the TCEQ. Once this matter is accepted by the State Office for Administrative Hearings, the Company will have the opportunity to meet with the TCEQ to attempt to resolve the penalty calculation dispute.

 

Refer to the relevant portions of “Note 15: Litigation and Other Contingencies” of the Financial Section of this report for additional information on legal proceedings.

 

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 


 

20


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Index to Financial Statements

Executive Officers of the Registrant [pursuant to Instruction 3 to Regulation S-K, Item 401(b)].

 

Name


 

Age as of
February 29,

2008


 

Title (Held Office Since)


R. W. Tillerson

 

55

 

Chairman of the Board (2006)

M. W. Albers

 

51

 

Senior Vice President (2007)

D. D. Humphreys

 

60

 

Senior Vice President (2006) and Treasurer (2004)

J. S. Simon

 

64

 

Senior Vice President (2004)

A. T. Cejka

 

56

 

Vice President (2004)

H. R. Cramer

 

57

 

Vice President (1999)

M. J. Dolan

 

54

 

Vice President (2004)

N. W. Duffin

 

51

 

President, ExxonMobil Development Company (2007)

M. E. Foster

 

64

 

Vice President (2004)

H. H. Hubble

 

55

 

Vice President—Investor Relations and Secretary (2004)

A. J. Kelly

 

50

 

Vice President (2007)

S. R. LaSala

 

63

 

Vice President and General Tax Counsel (2007)

C. W. Matthews

 

63

 

Vice President and General Counsel (1995)

P. T. Mulva

 

56

 

Vice President and Controller (2004)

S. D. Pryor

 

58

 

Vice President (2004)

A. P. Swiger

 

51

  Vice President (2006)

 

For at least the past five years, Messrs. Cramer, Humphreys, LaSala, Matthews, Mulva, Simon and Tillerson have been employed as executives of the registrant. Mr. Tillerson was a Senior Vice President and then President, a title he continues to hold, before becoming Chairman of the Board. Mr. Albers was President of ExxonMobil Development Company before becoming Senior Vice President. Mr. Humphreys was Vice President and Controller and then Vice President and Treasurer before becoming Senior Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Simon was President of ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company before becoming Senior Vice President. Mr. LaSala was Associate General Tax Counsel before becoming Vice President and General Tax Counsel. Mr. Mulva was Vice President—Investor Relations and Secretary before becoming Vice President and Controller.

 

The following executive officers of the registrant have also served as executives of the subsidiaries, affiliates or divisions of the registrant shown opposite their names during the five years preceding December 31, 2007.

 

Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc.

   Albers and Duffin

Exxon Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Limited

   Swiger

Exxon Azerbaijan Limited

   Swiger

Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc.

   Dolan and Pryor

ExxonMobil Chemical Company

   Dolan and Pryor

ExxonMobil Development Company

   Albers, Duffin and Foster

ExxonMobil Exploration Company

   Cejka

ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company

   Cramer

ExxonMobil Gas & Power Marketing Company

   Swiger

ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company

  

Kelly

ExxonMobil Production Company

   Foster and Swiger

ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company

   Dolan, Hubble, Pryor and Simon

 

Officers are generally elected by the Board of Directors at its meeting on the day of each annual election of directors, with each such officer serving until a successor has been elected and qualified.

 

21


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Index to Financial Statements

PART II

 

Item 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Reference is made to the “Quarterly Information” portion of the Financial Section of this report.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities for Quarter Ended December 31, 2007  

Period


   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased


   Average Price
Paid per
Share


   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs


   Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs


 

October, 2007

   30,511,333    92.42    30,511,333       

November, 2007

   30,452,285    87.25    30,452,285       

December, 2007

   26,816,392    91.77    26,816,392       
    
       
      

Total

   87,780,010    90.43    87,780,010    (See note 1 )

 

Note 1—On August 1, 2000, the Corporation announced its intention to resume purchases of shares of its common stock for the treasury both to offset shares issued in conjunction with company benefit plans and programs and to gradually reduce the number of shares outstanding. The announcement did not specify an amount or expiration date. The Corporation has continued to purchase shares since this announcement and to report purchased volumes in its quarterly earnings releases. Purchases may be made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions, and purchases may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

 

22


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Index to Financial Statements

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

 

    Years Ended December 31,

    2007

  2006

  2005

  2004

    2003  

   

(millions of dollars, except per share amounts)

Sales and other operating revenue(1)(2)

  $ 390,328   $ 365,467   $ 358,955   $ 291,252   $ 237,054

(1) Sales-based taxes included.

  $ 31,728   $ 30,381   $ 30,742   $ 27,263   $ 23,855

(2) Includes amounts for purchases/sales contracts with the same counterparty for 2003-2005.

Net income

                             

Income from continuing operations

  $ 40,610   $ 39,500   $ 36,130   $ 25,330   $ 20,960

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax

                    550
   

 

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 40,610   $ 39,500   $ 36,130   $ 25,330   $ 21,510

Net income per common share

                             

Income from continuing operations

  $ 7.36   $ 6.68   $ 5.76   $ 3.91   $ 3.16

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax

                    0.08
   

 

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 7.36   $ 6.68   $ 5.76   $ 3.91   $ 3.24

Net income per common share - assuming dilution

                             

Income from continuing operations

  $ 7.28   $ 6.62   $ 5.71   $ 3.89   $ 3.15

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax

                    0.08
   

 

 

 

 

Net income

  $ 7.28   $ 6.62   $ 5.71   $ 3.89   $ 3.23
Cash dividends per common share   $ 1.37   $ 1.28   $ 1.14   $ 1.06   $ 0.98
Total assets   $ 242,082   $ 219,015   $ 208,335   $ 195,256   $ 174,278
Long-term debt   $ 7,183   $ 6,645   $ 6,220   $ 5,013   $ 4,756

 

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Reference is made to the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Financial Section of this report.

 

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Reference is made to the section entitled “Market Risks, Inflation and Other Uncertainties”, excluding the part entitled “Inflation and Other Uncertainties,” in the Financial Section of this report. All statements other than historical information incorporated in this Item 7A are forward-looking statements. The actual impact of future market changes could differ materially due to, among other things, factors discussed in this report.

 

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

Reference is made to the following in the Financial Section of this report:

 

   

Consolidated financial statements, together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated February 28, 2008, beginning with the section entitled “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and continuing through “Note 18: Income, Sales-Based and Other Taxes;”

   

“Quarterly Information” (unaudited);

 

23


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Index to Financial Statements
   

“Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities” (unaudited); and

   

“Frequently Used Terms” (unaudited).

 

Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

 

Item  9.     Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.                      

 

None.

 

Item  9A.    Controls and Procedures.

 

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As indicated in the certifications in Exhibit 31 of this report, the Corporation’s chief executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer have evaluated the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. Based on that evaluation, these officers have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to them in a manner that allows for timely decisions regarding required disclosures and are effective in ensuring that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management, including the Corporation’s chief executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Corporation’s financial reporting. Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that Exxon Mobil Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, audited the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, as stated in their report included in the Financial Section of this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes during the Corporation’s last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item  9B.    Other Information.

 

None.

 

24


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Index to Financial Statements

PART III

 

Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

Incorporated by reference to the following from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2008 Proxy Statement”):

 

   

The section entitled “Election of Directors”;

   

The portion entitled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of the section entitled “Executive Compensation Tables”;

   

The portion entitled “Code of Ethics and Business Conduct” of the section entitled “Corporate Governance”; and

   

The “Audit Committee” portion and the membership table of the portion entitled “Board Meetings and Committees; Annual Meeting Attendance” of the section entitled “Corporate Governance”.

 

Item 11.    Executive Compensation.

 

Incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation Tables” of the registrant’s 2008 Proxy Statement.

 

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information required under Item 403 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Director and Executive Officer Stock Ownership” of the registrant’s 2008 Proxy Statement.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     (a)   (b)   (c)

Plan Category


   Number of Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights

  Weighted-
Average

Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options,

Warrants and
Rights (1)


  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans

[Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (a)]

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   81,590,508 (2)(3)   $40.82(3)   171,550,342(3)(4)(5)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  

0        

  0  

0        

Total

  

81,590,508      

 

$40.82  

 

171,550,342        

 

(1)   The exercise price of each option reflected in this table is equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option was granted. The weighted-average price reflects five prior option grants that are still outstanding.

 

(2)   Includes 73,630,135 options granted under the 1993 Incentive Program and 7,960,373 restricted stock units to be settled in shares.

 

(3)   Does not include options that ExxonMobil assumed in the 1999 merger with Mobil Corporation. At year-end 2007, the number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options under Mobil Corporation plans was 6,658,578, and the weighted-average exercise price of such options was $30.78. No additional awards may be made under those plans.

 

(4)   Available shares can be granted in the form of restricted stock, options, or other stock-based awards. Includes 170,695,142 shares available for award under the 2003 Incentive Program and 855,200 shares available for award under the 2004 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan.

 

25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
(5)   Under the 2004 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan approved by shareholders in May 2004, and the related standing resolution adopted by the Board, each non-employee director automatically receives 8,000 shares of restricted stock when first elected to the Board and, if the director remains in office, an additional 4,000 restricted shares each following year. Effective January 1, 2008, the annual share grant was changed from 4,000 to 2,500 restricted shares. While on the Board, each non-employee director receives the same cash dividends on restricted shares as a holder of regular common stock, but the director is not allowed to sell the shares. The restricted shares may be forfeited if the director leaves the Board early.

 

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The registrant has concluded that it has no disclosable matters under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Additional information provided in response to this Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the portions entitled “Related Person Transactions and Procedures” and “Director Independence” of the section entitled “Corporate Governance” in the registrant’s 2008 Proxy Statement.

 

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

Incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Ratification of Independent Auditors” and the portion entitled “Audit Committee” of the section entitled “Corporate Governance” of the registrant’s 2008 Proxy Statement.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

  (a) (1) and (2) Financial Statements:

See Table of Contents of the Financial Section of this report.

 

  (a) (3) Exhibits:

See Index to Exhibits of this report.

 

26


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

FINANCIAL SECTION

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS     

Business Profile

   28

Financial Summary

   29

Frequently Used Terms

   30

Quarterly Information

   32

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    

Functional Earnings

   33

Forward-Looking Statements

   34

Overview

   34

Business Environment and Risk Assessment

   34

Review of 2007 and 2006 Results

   35

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   37

Capital and Exploration Expenditures

   41

Taxes

   41

Environmental Matters

   42

Market Risks, Inflation and Other Uncertainties

   42

Recently Issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards

   43

Critical Accounting Policies

   44

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

   48

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   48

Consolidated Financial Statements

    

Statement of Income

   50

Balance Sheet

   51

Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

   52

Statement of Cash Flows

   53

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    

1. Summary of Accounting Policies

   54

2. Accounting Change for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

   56

3. Miscellaneous Financial Information

   56

4. Cash Flow Information

   57

5. Additional Working Capital Information

   57

6. Equity Company Information

   58

7. Investments, Advances and Long-Term Receivables

   59

8. Property, Plant and Equipment and Asset Retirement Obligations

   59

9. Accounting for Suspended Exploratory Well Costs

   60

10. Leased Facilities

   62

11. Earnings Per Share

   62

12. Financial Instruments and Derivatives

   63

13. Long-Term Debt

   63

14. Incentive Program

   68

15. Litigation and Other Contingencies

   70

16. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

   72

17. Disclosures about Segments and Related Information

   76

18. Income, Sales-Based and Other Taxes

   78

Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Activities

   80

Operating Summary

   90

 

27


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Index to Financial Statements

BUSINESS PROFILE

 

     Earnings After
Income Taxes

   Average Capital
Employed


   Return on
Average Capital
Employed


   Capital and
Exploration
Expenditures


Financial


   2007

    2006

   2007

   2006

   2007

   2006

   2007

   2006

     (millions of dollars)    (percent)    (millions of dollars)

Upstream

                                                    

United States

   $ 4,870     $ 5,168    $ 14,026    $ 13,940    34.7    37.1    $ 2,212    $ 2,486

Non-U.S.

     21,627       21,062      49,539      43,931    43.7    47.9      13,512      13,745
    


 

  

  

            

  

Total

   $ 26,497     $ 26,230    $ 63,565    $ 57,871    41.7    45.3    $ 15,724    $ 16,231
    


 

  

  

            

  

Downstream

                                                    

United States

   $ 4,120     $ 4,250    $ 6,331    $ 6,456    65.1    65.8    $ 1,128    $ 824

Non-U.S.

     5,453       4,204      18,983      17,172    28.7    24.5      2,175      1,905
    


 

  

  

            

  

Total

   $ 9,573     $ 8,454    $ 25,314    $ 23,628    37.8    35.8    $ 3,303    $ 2,729
    


 

  

  

            

  

Chemical

                                                    

United States

   $ 1,181     $ 1,360    $ 4,748    $ 4,911    24.9    27.7    $ 360    $ 280

Non-U.S.

     3,382       3,022      8,682      8,272    39.0    36.5      1,422      476
    


 

  

  

            

  

Total

   $ 4,563     $ 4,382    $ 13,430    $ 13,183    34.0    33.2    $ 1,782    $ 756
    


 

  

  

            

  

Corporate and financing

     (23 )     434      26,451      27,891    —      —        44      139
    


 

  

  

            

  

Total

   $ 40,610     $ 39,500    $ 128,760    $ 122,573    31.8    32.2    $ 20,853    $ 19,855
    


 

  

  

            

  

See Frequently Used Terms for a definition and calculation of capital employed and return on average capital employed.

 

 

Operating


   2007

   2006

     (thousands of barrels daily)

Net liquids production

         

United States

   392    414

Non-U.S.

   2,224    2,267
    
  

Total

   2,616    2,681
    
  
     (millions of cubic feet daily)

Natural gas production available for sale

         

United States

   1,468    1,625

Non-U.S.

   7,916    7,709
    
  

Total

   9,384    9,334
    
  
     (thousands of oil-equivalent barrels daily)

Oil-equivalent production (1)

   4,180    4,237
     (thousands of barrels daily)

Refinery throughput

         

United States

   1,746    1,760

Non-U.S.

   3,825    3,843
    
  

Total

   5,571    5,603
    
  
     (thousands of barrels daily)

Petroleum product sales

         

United States

   2,717    2,729

Non-U.S.

   4,382    4,518
    
  

Total

   7,099    7,247
    
  
     (thousands of metric tons)

Chemical prime product sales

         

United States

   10,855    10,703

Non-U.S.

   16,625    16,647
    
  

Total

   27,480    27,350
    
  

(1) Gas converted to oil-equivalent at 6 million cubic feet = 1 thousand barrels.

 

28


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 

     2007

    2006

    2005

    2004

    2003

 
     (millions of dollars, except per share amounts)  

Sales and other operating revenue (1) (2)

   $ 390,328     $ 365,467     $ 358,955     $ 291,252     $ 237,054  

Earnings

                                        

Upstream

   $ 26,497     $ 26,230     $ 24,349     $ 16,675     $ 14,502  

Downstream

     9,573       8,454       7,992       5,706       3,516  

Chemical

     4,563       4,382       3,943       3,428       1,432  

Corporate and financing

     (23 )     434       (154 )     (479 )     1,510  
    


 


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations

   $ 40,610     $ 39,500     $ 36,130     $ 25,330     $ 20,960  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax

     —         —         —         —         550  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 40,610     $ 39,500     $ 36,130     $ 25,330     $ 21,510  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income per common share

                                        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 7.36     $ 6.68     $ 5.76     $ 3.91     $ 3.16  

Net income per common share – assuming dilution

                                        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 7.28     $ 6.62     $ 5.71     $ 3.89     $ 3.15  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax

     —         —         —         —         0.08  
    


 


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 7.28     $ 6.62     $ 5.71     $ 3.89     $ 3.23  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash dividends per common share

   $ 1.37     $ 1.28     $ 1.14     $ 1.06     $ 0.98  

Net income to average shareholders’ equity (percent)

     34.5       35.1       33.9       26.4       26.2  

Working capital

   $ 27,651     $ 26,960     $ 27,035     $ 17,396     $ 7,574  

Ratio of current assets to current liabilities

     1.47       1.55       1.58       1.40       1.20  

Additions to property, plant and equipment

   $ 15,387     $ 15,462     $ 13,839     $ 11,986     $ 12,859  

Property, plant and equipment, less allowances

   $ 120,869     $ 113,687     $ 107,010     $ 108,639     $ 104,965  

Total assets

   $ 242,082     $ 219,015     $ 208,335     $ 195,256     $ 174,278  

Exploration expenses, including dry holes

   $ 1,469     $ 1,181     $ 964     $ 1,098     $ 1,010  

Research and development costs

   $ 814     $ 733     $ 712     $ 649     $ 618  

Long-term debt

   $ 7,183     $ 6,645     $ 6,220     $ 5,013     $ 4,756  

Total debt

   $ 9,566     $ 8,347     $ 7,991     $ 8,293     $ 9,545  

Fixed-charge coverage ratio (times)

     49.9       46.3       50.2       36.1       30.8  

Debt to capital (percent)

     7.1       6.6       6.5       7.3       9.3  

Net debt to capital (percent) (3)

     (24.0 )     (20.4 )     (22.0 )     (10.7 )     (1.2 )

Shareholders’ equity at year end

   $ 121,762     $ 113,844     $ 111,186     $ 101,756     $ 89,915  

Shareholders’ equity per common share

   $ 22.62     $ 19.87     $ 18.13     $ 15.90     $ 13.69  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions)

     5,517       5,913       6,266       6,482       6,634  

Number of regular employees at year end (thousands) (4)

     80.8       82.1       83.7       85.9       88.3  

CORS employees not included above (thousands) (5)

     26.3       24.3       22.4       19.3       17.4  

(1) Sales and other operating revenue includes sales-based taxes of $31,728 million for 2007, $30,381 million for 2006, $30,742 million for 2005, $27,263 million for 2004 and $23,855 million for 2003.
(2) Sales and other operating revenue includes $30,810 million for 2005, $25,289 million for 2004 and $20,936 million for 2003 for purchases/sales contracts with the same counterparty. Associated costs were included in Crude oil and product purchases. Effective January 1, 2006, these purchases/sales were recorded on a net basis with no resulting impact on net income. See note 1, Summary of Accounting Policies.
(3) Debt net of cash, excluding restricted cash.
(4) Regular employees are defined as active executive, management, professional, technical and wage employees who work full time or part time for the Corporation and are covered by the Corporation’s benefit plans and programs.
(5) CORS employees are employees of company-operated retail sites.

 

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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

Listed below are definitions of several of ExxonMobil’s key business and financial performance measures. These definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of the terms and their calculation.

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS AND ASSET SALES

Cash flow from operations and asset sales is the sum of the net cash provided by operating activities and proceeds from sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment from the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. This cash flow reflects the total sources of cash from both operating the Corporation’s assets and from the divesting of assets. The Corporation employs a long-standing and regular disciplined review process to ensure that all assets are contributing to the Corporation’s strategic and financial objectives. Assets are divested when they are no longer meeting these objectives or are worth considerably more to others. Because of the regular nature of this activity, we believe it is useful for investors to consider sales proceeds together with cash provided by operating activities when evaluating cash available for investment in the business and financing activities, including shareholder distributions.

 

Cash flow from operations and asset sales


   2007

   2006

   2005

     (millions of dollars)

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 52,002    $ 49,286    $ 48,138

Sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment

     4,204      3,080      6,036
    

  

  

Cash flow from operations and asset sales

   $ 56,206    $ 52,366    $ 54,174
    

  

  

CAPITAL EMPLOYED

Capital employed is a measure of net investment. When viewed from the perspective of how the capital is used by the businesses, it includes ExxonMobil’s net share of property, plant and equipment and other assets less liabilities, excluding both short-term and long-term debt. When viewed from the perspective of the sources of capital employed in total for the Corporation, it includes ExxonMobil’s share of total debt and shareholders’ equity. Both of these views include ExxonMobil’s share of amounts applicable to equity companies, which the Corporation believes should be included to provide a more comprehensive measure of capital employed.

 

Capital employed


   2007

    2006

    2005

 
     (millions of dollars)  

Business uses: asset and liability perspective

                        

Total assets

   $ 242,082     $ 219,015     $ 208,335  

Less liabilities and minority share of assets and liabilities

                        

Total current liabilities excluding notes and loans payable

     (55,929 )     (47,115 )     (44,536 )

Total long-term liabilities excluding long-term debt and equity of minority and preferred shareholders in affiliated companies

     (50,543 )     (45,905 )     (41,095 )

Minority share of assets and liabilities

     (5,332 )     (4,948 )     (4,863 )

Add ExxonMobil share of debt-financed equity company net assets

     3,386       2,808       3,450  
    


 


 


Total capital employed

   $ 133,664     $ 123,855     $ 121,291  
    


 


 


Total corporate sources: debt and equity perspective

                        

Notes and loans payable

   $ 2,383     $ 1,702     $ 1,771  

Long-term debt

     7,183       6,645       6,220  

Shareholders’ equity

     121,762       113,844       111,186  

Less minority share of total debt

     (1,050 )     (1,144 )     (1,336 )

Add ExxonMobil share of equity company debt

     3,386       2,808       3,450  
    


 


 


Total capital employed

   $ 133,664     $ 123,855     $ 121,291  
    


 


 


 

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RETURN ON AVERAGE CAPITAL EMPLOYED

Return on average capital employed (ROCE) is a performance measure ratio. From the perspective of the business segments, ROCE is annual business segment earnings divided by average business segment capital employed (average of beginning and end-of-year amounts). These segment earnings include ExxonMobil’s share of segment earnings of equity companies, consistent with our capital employed definition, and exclude the cost of financing. The Corporation’s total ROCE is net income excluding the after-tax cost of financing, divided by total corporate average capital employed. The Corporation has consistently applied its ROCE definition for many years and views it as the best measure of historical capital productivity in our capital-intensive, long-term industry, both to evaluate management’s performance and to demonstrate to shareholders that capital has been used wisely over the long term. Additional measures, which are more cash flow-based, are used to make investment decisions.

 

Return on average capital employed


   2007

    2006

    2005

 
     (millions of dollars)  

Net income

   $ 40,610     $ 39,500     $ 36,130  

Financing costs (after tax)

                        

Gross third-party debt

     (339 )     (264 )     (261 )

ExxonMobil share of equity companies

     (204 )     (156 )     (144 )

All other financing costs – net

     268       499       (35 )
    


 


 


Total financing costs

     (275 )     79       (440 )
    


 


 


Earnings excluding financing costs

   $ 40,885     $ 39,421     $ 36,570  
    


 


 


Average capital employed

   $ 128,760     $ 122,573     $ 116,961  

Return on average capital employed – corporate total

     31.8 %     32.2 %     31.3 %

 

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QUARTERLY INFORMATION

 

     2007

   2006

     First
Quarter


   Second
Quarter


   Third
Quarter


   Fourth
Quarter


   Year

   First
Quarter


   Second
Quarter


   Third
Quarter


   Fourth
Quarter


   Year

Volumes

                                                     
     (thousands of barrels daily)

Production of crude oil and natural gas liquids

     2,746    2,668    2,537    2,517    2,616      2,698    2,702    2,647    2,678    2,681

Refinery throughput

     5,705    5,279    5,582    5,717    5,571      5,548    5,407    5,756    5,698    5,603

Petroleum product sales

     7,198    6,973    7,100    7,125    7,099      7,177    7,060    7,302    7,447    7,247
     (millions of cubic feet daily)

Natural gas production available for sale

     10,114    8,733    8,283    10,414    9,384      11,175    8,754    8,139    9,301    9,334
     (thousands of oil-equivalent barrels daily)

Oil-equivalent production (1)

     4,432    4,123    3,918    4,253    4,180      4,560    4,161    4,004    4,228    4,237
     (thousands of metric tons)

Chemical prime product sales

     6,805    6,897    6,729    7,049    27,480      6,916    6,855    6,752    6,827    27,350

Summarized financial data

                                                     
     (millions of dollars)

Sales and other operating revenue (2)

   $ 84,174    95,059    99,130    111,965    390,328    $ 86,317    96,024    96,268    86,858    365,467

Gross profit (3)

   $ 33,907    36,760    36,114    39,914    146,695    $ 33,428    37,668    37,117    33,764    141,977

Net income

   $ 9,280    10,260    9,410    11,660    40,610    $ 8,400    10,360    10,490    10,250    39,500

Per share data

                                                     
     (dollars per share)

Net income per common share

   $ 1.64    1.85    1.72    2.15    7.36    $ 1.38    1.74    1.79    1.77    6.68

Net income per common share – assuming dilution

   $ 1.62    1.83    1.70    2.13    7.28    $ 1.37    1.72    1.77    1.76    6.62

Dividends per common share

   $ 0.32    0.35    0.35    0.35    1.37    $ 0.32    0.32    0.32    0.32    1.28

Common stock prices

                                                     

High

   $ 76.35    86.58    93.66    95.27    95.27    $ 63.96    65.00    71.22    79.00    79.00

Low

   $ 69.02    75.28    78.76    83.37    69.02    $ 56.42    56.64    61.63    64.84    56.42

(1) Gas converted to oil-equivalent at 6 million cubic feet = 1 thousand barrels.
(2) Includes amounts for sales-based taxes.
(3) Gross profit equals sales and other operating revenue less estimated costs associated with products sold.

The price range of ExxonMobil common stock is as reported on the composite tape of the several U.S. exchanges where ExxonMobil common stock is traded. The principal market where ExxonMobil common stock (XOM) is traded is the New York Stock Exchange, although the stock is traded on other exchanges in and outside the United States.

There were 566,565 registered shareholders of ExxonMobil common stock at December 31, 2007. At January 31, 2008, the registered shareholders of ExxonMobil common stock numbered 561,103.

On January 30, 2008, the Corporation declared a $0.35 dividend per common share, payable March 10, 2008.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FUNCTIONAL EARNINGS


   2007

    2006

   2005

 
     (millions of dollars, except per share amounts)  

Net income (U.S. GAAP)

                       

Upstream

                       

United States

   $ 4,870     $ 5,168    $ 6,200  

Non-U.S.

     21,627       21,062      18,149  

Downstream

                       

United States

     4,120       4,250      3,911  

Non-U.S.

     5,453       4,204      4,081  

Chemical

                       

United States

     1,181       1,360      1,186  

Non-U.S.

     3,382       3,022      2,757  

Corporate and financing

     (23 )     434      (154 )
    


 

  


Net income

   $ 40,610     $ 39,500    $ 36,130  
    


 

  


Net income per common share

   $ 7.36     $ 6.68    $ 5.76  

Net income per common share – assuming dilution

   $ 7.28     $ 6.62    $ 5.71  

Special items included in net income

                       

Non-U.S. Upstream

                       

Gain on Dutch gas restructuring

   $ —       $ —      $ 1,620  

U.S. Downstream

                       

Allapattah lawsuit provision

   $ —       $ —      $ (200 )

Non-U.S. Downstream

                       

Sale of Sinopec shares

   $ —       $ —      $ 310  

Non-U.S. Chemical

                       

Sale of Sinopec shares

   $ —       $ —      $ 150  

Joint venture litigation

   $ —       $ —      $ 390  

Corporate and financing

                       

Tax-related benefit

   $ —       $ 410    $ —    

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this discussion regarding expectations, plans and future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including demand growth and energy source mix; capacity increases; production growth and mix; financing sources; the resolution of contingencies; the effect of changes in prices; interest rates and other market conditions; and environmental and capital expenditures could differ materially depending on a number of factors, such as the outcome of commercial negotiations; changes in the supply of and demand for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum and petrochemical products; and other factors discussed herein and in Item 1A of ExxonMobil’s 2007 Form 10-K.

OVERVIEW

The following discussion and analysis of ExxonMobil’s financial results, as well as the accompanying financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements to which they refer, are the responsibility of the management of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The Corporation’s accounting and financial reporting fairly reflect its straightforward business model involving the extracting, manufacturing and marketing of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-based products. The Corporation’s business model involves the production (or purchase), manufacture and sale of physical products, and all commercial activities are directly in support of the underlying physical movement of goods. Our consistent, conservative approach to financing the capital-intensive needs of the Corporation has helped ExxonMobil to sustain the “triple-A” status of its long-term debt securities for 89 years.

ExxonMobil, with its resource base, financial strength, disciplined investment approach and technology portfolio, is well-positioned to participate in substantial investments to develop new energy supplies. While commodity prices are volatile on a short-term basis and depend on supply and demand, ExxonMobil’s investment decisions are based on our long-term business outlook, using a disciplined approach in selecting and pursuing the most attractive investment opportunities. The corporate plan is a fundamental annual management process that is the basis for setting near-term operating and capital objectives in addition to providing the longer-term economic assumptions used for investment evaluation purposes. Volumes are based on individual field production profiles, which are also updated annually. Prices for crude oil, natural gas and refined products are based on corporate plan assumptions developed annually by major region and are utilized for investment evaluation purposes. Potential investment opportunities are tested over a wide range of economic scenarios to establish the resiliency of each opportunity. Once investments are made, a reappraisal process is completed to ensure relevant lessons are learned and improvements are incorporated into future projects.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Long-Term Business Outlook

By 2030, the world’s population is projected to grow to approximately 8 billion, more than 20 percent higher than today’s level. Coincident with this population increase, the Corporation expects worldwide economic growth to average close to 3 percent per year. This combination of population and economic growth is expected to lead to a primary energy demand increase of approximately 40 percent by 2030 versus 2005. The vast majority (~80 percent) of the increase is expected to occur in developing countries.

As demand rises, energy efficiency will become increasingly important, with the rate of improvement projected to increase. Efficiency gains will result from anticipated improvements in the transportation and power generation sectors, driven by the introduction of new technologies, as well as many other improvements that span the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. A wide variety of energy sources will be required to meet increasing global demand. Oil, gas and coal are expected to remain the predominant energy sources with approximately 80 percent share of total energy. Oil and gas are projected to maintain close to a 60 percent share. These well-established fuel sources are the only ones with the versatility and scale to meet the majority of the world’s growing energy needs over the outlook period. Nuclear power will likely be a growing option to meet electricity needs. Among renewable energy sources, wind, solar and biofuels are anticipated to grow rapidly at about 9 percent per year, reflecting government subsidies and mandates. These energy sources are projected to reach approximately 2 percent of world energy by 2030, up from 0.5 percent currently.

Demand for liquid fuels is expected to grow at 1.3 percent per year from 2005 to 2030, primarily due to increasing transportation requirements, especially related to light- and heavy-duty vehicles. The global fleet of light-duty vehicles will increase significantly, with related demand partly offset by improvements in fuel economy. Natural gas and coal are projected to grow at 1.7 and 0.9 percent per year, respectively, driven by rising needs for electric power generation. The Corporation expects the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market to increase over 250 percent by 2030, with LNG imports helping to meet growing demand in Europe, North America and Asia. With equity positions in many of the largest remote gas accumulations in the world, the Corporation is positioned to benefit from its technological advances in gas liquefaction, transportation and regasification that enable distant gas supplies to reach markets economically.

The Corporation anticipates that the world’s oil and gas resource base will grow not only from new discoveries, but also from increases to known reserves. Technology will underpin these increases. The cost to develop these resources will be significant. According to the International Energy Agency, the investment required to meet total oil and gas energy needs worldwide through 2030 will be about $380 billion per year, or about $9.5 trillion (measured in 2006 dollars) in total for 2006-2030.

Upstream

ExxonMobil continues to maintain a large portfolio of development and exploration opportunities, which enables the Corporation to be selective, optimizing total profitability and mitigating overall political and technical risks. As future development projects bring new production online, the Corporation expects a shift in the geographic mix of its production volumes between now and 2012. Oil and natural gas output from West Africa, the Caspian, the Middle East and Russia is expected to increase over the next five years based on current capital project execution plans. Currently, these growth areas account for 38 percent of the Corporation’s production. By 2012, they are expected to generate about 50 percent of total volumes. The remainder of the Corporation’s production is expected to be sourced from established areas, including Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

 

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In addition to a changing geographic mix, there will also be a change in the type of opportunities from which volumes are produced. Nonconventional production utilizing specialized technology such as arctic technology, deepwater drilling and production systems, heavy oil recovery processes and LNG is expected to grow from about 30 percent to over 40 percent of the Corporation’s output between now and 2012. The Corporation’s overall volume capacity outlook, based on projects coming onstream as anticipated, is for production capacity to grow over the period 2008-2012. However, actual volumes will vary from year to year due to the timing of individual project start-ups, operational outages, reservoir performance, regulatory changes, asset sales, weather events, price effects under production sharing contracts and other factors described in Item 1A of ExxonMobil’s 2007 Form 10-K.

Downstream

ExxonMobil’s Downstream is a large, diversified business with marketing and refining complexes around the world. The Corporation has a strong presence in mature markets as well as in growing areas, such as the Asia Pacific region. The objective of ExxonMobil’s Downstream strategies is to position the Corporation to be the industry leader under a variety of market conditions. These strategies include maintaining best-in-class operations in all aspects of the business, maximizing value from leading-edge technology, capitalizing on integration with other ExxonMobil businesses, and providing quality, valued products and services to the Corporation’s customers.

The downstream industry environment remains very competitive. Refining margins have been relatively strong over the past few years. However, inflation-adjusted refining margins over the prior 20 years have declined at a rate of about 1 percent per year. The intense competition in the retail fuels market has similarly driven down inflation-adjusted margins by about 3 percent per year. Refining margins are a function of the difference between what a refinery pays for its raw materials (primarily crude oil) and the market prices for the range of products produced (primarily gasoline, heating oil, diesel oil, jet fuel and fuel oil). Crude oil and many products are widely traded with published prices, including those quoted on multiple exchanges around the world (e.g., New York Mercantile Exchange and IntercontinentalExchange). Prices for these commodities (crude and various products) are determined by the global marketplace and are influenced by many factors, including global and regional supply/demand balances, inventory levels, refinery operations, import/export balances, seasonal demand, weather and political climate.

ExxonMobil has an ownership interest in 38 refineries, located in 21 countries, with distillation capacity of 6.3 million barrels per day and lubricant basestock manufacturing capacity of about 140 thousand barrels per day. ExxonMobil’s fuels and lubes marketing business portfolios include operations around the world, serving a globally diverse customer base.

ExxonMobil’s Downstream capital expenditures are focused on selective and resilient investments. These investments capitalize on the Corporation’s world-class scale and integration, industry-leading efficiency, leading-edge technology and respected brands, enabling ExxonMobil to take advantage of attractive emerging-growth opportunities around the globe. For example, in mid-2007, ExxonMobil along with our partners Saudi Aramco, Sinopec and the Fujian Province formed the only fully integrated refining, petrochemicals and fuels marketing venture with foreign participation in China. In addition, ExxonMobil successfully started up several projects that produce lower-sulfur motor fuels, including gasoline projects in Japan and diesel projects in North America and Europe, with additional start-ups planned for 2008.

Chemical

The strength of the global economy supported continued solid demand growth for petrochemicals in 2007. Strong economic and industrial production growth increased demand in Asia Pacific, particularly China. North American and European growth were moderate, similar to that of GDP. Overall the global supply/demand balance remained tight, supporting continued strong margins despite higher feedstock costs.

ExxonMobil benefited from continued operational excellence, as well as a portfolio of products that includes many of the largest-volume and highest-growth petrochemicals in the global economy. In addition to being a worldwide supplier of primary petrochemical products, ExxonMobil Chemical also has a diverse portfolio of less-cyclical business lines. Chemical’s competitive advantages are achieved through its business mix, broad geographic coverage, investment discipline, integration of chemical capacity with large refining complexes or Upstream gas processing, advantaged feedstock capabilities, leading proprietary technology and product application expertise.

REVIEW OF 2007 AND 2006 RESULTS

 

     2007

   2006

   2005

     (millions of dollars)

Net income (U.S. GAAP)

   $ 40,610    $  39,500    $ 36,130

2007

Net income in 2007 of $40,610 million was the highest ever for the Corporation, up $1,110 million from 2006. Net income for 2006 included a $410 million gain from the recognition of tax benefits related to historical investments in non-U.S. assets. Earnings in 2007 were also at record levels for each business segment.

2006

Net income in 2006 of $39,500 million was up $3,370 million from 2005. Net income for 2006 included a $410 million gain from the recognition of tax benefits related to historical investments in non-U.S. assets.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Upstream

 

     2007

   2006

   2005

     (millions of dollars)

Upstream

                    

United States

   $ 4,870    $ 5,168    $ 6,200

Non-U.S.

     21,627      21,062      18,149
    

  

  

Total

   $ 26,497    $ 26,230    $ 24,349
    

  

  

2007

Upstream earnings for 2007 totaled $26,497 million, an increase of $267 million from 2006. Higher liquids realizations were mostly offset by higher operating expenses and net unfavorable tax effects. Oil-equivalent production decreased 1 percent versus 2006, including the Venezuela expropriation, divestments, OPEC quota effects and price and spend impacts on volumes. Excluding these impacts, total oil-equivalent production increased by 1 percent. Liquids production of 2,616 kbd (thousands of barrels per day) decreased by 65 kbd from 2006. Production increases from new projects in West Africa and higher Russia volumes were offset by mature field decline and production sharing contract net interest reductions. Natural gas production of 9,384 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day) increased 50 mcfd from 2006. Higher volumes from projects in Qatar and the North Sea were mostly offset by mature field decline. Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations for 2007 were $4,870 million, a decrease of $298 million. Earnings outside the U.S. for 2007 were $21,627 million, an increase of $565 million.

2006

Upstream earnings for 2006 totaled $26,230 million, an increase of $1,881 million from 2005, including a $1,620 million gain related to the Dutch gas restructuring in 2005. Higher liquids and natural gas realizations were partly offset by higher operating expenses. Oil-equivalent production increased 4 percent versus 2005. Liquids production of 2,681 kbd increased by 158 kbd from 2005. Production increases from new projects in West Africa and increased Abu Dhabi volumes were partly offset by mature field decline, entitlement effects and divestment impacts. Natural gas production of 9,334 mcfd increased 83 mcfd from 2005. Higher volumes from projects in Qatar were partly offset by mature field decline. Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations for 2006 were $5,168 million, a decrease of $1,032 million. Earnings outside the U.S. for 2006 were $21,062 million, an increase of $2,913 million, including a $1,620 million gain related to the Dutch gas restructuring in 2005.

Downstream

 

     2007

   2006

   2005

     (millions of dollars)

Downstream

                    

United States

   $ 4,120    $ 4,250    $ 3,911

Non-U.S.

     5,453      4,204      4,081
    

  

  

Total

   $ 9,573    $ 8,454    $ 7,992
    

  

  

2007

Downstream earnings totaled $9,573 million, an increase of $1,119 million from 2006. Improved worldwide refining operations and higher gains on asset sales, primarily outside the U.S., were partly offset by lower refining margins. Petroleum product sales of 7,099 kbd decreased from 7,247 kbd in 2006, primarily due to divestment impacts. Refinery throughput was 5,571 kbd compared with 5,603 kbd in 2006, with the decrease again due to divestments. U.S. Downstream earnings of $4,120 million decreased by $130 million. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $5,453 million were $1,249 million higher than 2006.

2006

Downstream earnings totaled $8,454 million, an increase of $462 million from 2005, including a $310 million gain for the 2005 Sinopec share sale and a special charge of $200 million related to the 2005 Allapattah lawsuit provision. Stronger worldwide refining and marketing margins were partly offset by lower refining throughput. Petroleum product sales of 7,247 kbd decreased from 7,519 kbd in 2005, primarily due to lower refining throughput and divestment impacts. Refinery throughput was 5,603 kbd compared with 5,723 kbd in 2005. U.S. Downstream earnings of $4,250 million increased by $339 million, including a 2005 special charge related to the Allapattah lawsuit provision. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $4,204 million were $123 million higher than 2005 earnings, which included a gain for the Sinopec share sale.

Chemical

 

     2007

   2006

   2005

     (millions of dollars)

Chemical

                    

United States

   $ 1,181    $ 1,360    $ 1,186

Non-U.S.

     3,382      3,022      2,757
    

  

  

Total

   $ 4,563    $ 4,382    $ 3,943
    

  

  

2007

Chemical earnings totaled $4,563 million, an increase of $181 million from 2006. Increased 2007 earnings were driven by higher sales volumes and favorable foreign exchange effects partly offset by lower margins. Prime product sales were 27,480 kt (thousands of metric tons), an increase of 130 kt. Prime product sales are total chemical product sales, including ExxonMobil’s share of equity-company volumes and finished-product transfers to the Downstream business. Carbon black oil and sulfur volumes are excluded. U.S. Chemical earnings of $1,181 million decreased by $179 million. Non-U.S. Chemical earnings of $3,382 million were $360 million higher than 2006.

 

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2006

Chemical earnings totaled $4,382 million, an increase of $439 million from 2005, including a $390 million gain from the favorable resolution of joint venture litigation in 2005 and a $150 million gain for the 2005 Sinopec share sale. Increased 2006 earnings were driven by higher margins and increased sales volumes. Prime product sales were 27,350 kt, an increase of 573 kt. U.S. Chemical earnings of $1,360 million increased by $174 million. Non-U.S. Chemical earnings of $3,022 million were $265 million higher than 2005 earnings, which included gains from the favorable resolution of joint venture litigation and the Sinopec share sale.

Corporate and Financing

 

     2007

    2006

   2005

 
     (millions of dollars)  

Corporate and financing

   $ (23 )   $ 434    $ (154 )

2007

Corporate and financing expenses were $23 million in 2007, compared to an earnings contribution of $434 million in 2006, which included a $410 million gain from tax benefits related to historical investments in non-U.S. assets.

2006

The corporate and financing segment contributed $434 million to earnings in 2006, up $588 million from 2005, primarily due to a $410 million gain from tax benefits related to historical investments in non-U.S. assets and higher interest income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

     2007

    2006

 
     (millions of dollars)  

Net cash provided by/(used in)

                

Operating activities

   $ 52,002     $ 49,286  

Investing activities

     (9,728 )     (14,230 )

Financing activities

     (38,345 )     (36,210 )

Effect of exchange rate changes

     1,808       727  
    


 


Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,737     $ (427 )
    


 


     (Dec. 31)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 33,981     $ 28,244  

Cash and cash equivalents – restricted

     —         4,604  
    


 


Total cash and cash equivalents

   $ 33,981     $ 32,848  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents were $34.0 billion at the end of 2007, $5.7 billion higher than the prior year, reflecting a $4.6 billion increase due to the release of the restriction on the restricted cash and cash equivalents and $1.8 billion of positive foreign exchange effects from the weakening of the U.S. dollar in 2007. There were no restricted cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2007 (see note 3 and note 15).

Cash and cash equivalents were $28.2 billion at the end of 2006, comparable to the prior year, as a net reduction from operating, investing and financing activities was partly offset by $0.7 billion of positive foreign exchange effects from the weakening of the U.S. dollar in 2006. Including restricted cash and cash equivalents of $4.6 billion (see note 3 and note 15), total cash and cash equivalents were $32.8 billion at the end of 2006. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are discussed below. For additional details, see the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

        Although the Corporation issues long-term debt from time to time and has access to short-term liquidity, internally generated funds cover the majority of its financial requirements. The management of cash that may be temporarily available as surplus to the Corporation’s immediate needs is carefully controlled, both to optimize returns on cash balances, and to ensure that it is secure and readily available to meet the Corporation’s cash requirements.

        To support cash flows in future periods the Corporation will need to continually find and develop new fields, and continue to develop and apply new technologies and recovery processes to existing fields, in order to maintain or increase production. After a period of production at plateau rates, it is the nature of oil and gas fields eventually to produce at declining rates for the remainder of their economic life. Averaged over all the Corporation’s existing oil and gas fields and without new projects, ExxonMobil’s production is expected to decline at approximately 6 percent per year, consistent with recent historical performance. Decline rates can vary widely by individual field due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the type of reservoir, fluid properties, recovery mechanisms, and age of the field. Furthermore, the Corporation’s net interest in production for individual fields can vary with price and contractual terms.

        The Corporation has long been successful at offsetting the effects of natural field decline through disciplined investments and anticipates similar results in the future. Projects are in progress or planned to increase production capacity. However, these volume increases are subject to a variety of risks including project start-up timing, operational outages, reservoir performance, crude oil and natural gas prices, weather events, and regulatory changes. The Corporation’s cash flows are also highly dependent on crude oil and natural gas prices.

        The Corporation’s financial strength, as evidenced by its AAA/Aaa debt rating, enables it to make large, long-term capital expenditures. Capital and exploration expenditures in 2007 were $20.9 billion, reflecting the Corporation’s continued active investment program. The Corporation expects spending in the range from $25 billion to $30 billion for the next several years. Actual spending could vary depending on the progress of individual projects. The Corporation has a large and diverse portfolio of development projects and exploration opportunities, which helps mitigate the overall political and technical risks of the Corporation’s Upstream segment and associated cash flow. Further, due to its financial strength, debt capacity and diverse portfolio of opportunities, the risk associated with failure or delay of any single project would not have a significant impact on the Corporation’s liquidity or ability to generate sufficient cash flows for operations and its fixed commitments. The purchase and sale of oil and gas properties have not had a significant impact on the amount or timing of cash flows from operating activities.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cash Flow from operating activities

2007

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $52.0 billion in 2007, a $2.7 billion increase from 2006. The major source of funds was net income of $40.6 billion, adjusted for the noncash provision of $12.3 billion for depreciation and depletion, both of which increased.

2006

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $49.3 billion in 2006, a $1.1 billion increase from 2005. The major source of funds was net income of $39.5 billion, adjusted for the noncash provision of $11.4 billion for depreciation and depletion, both of which increased. The net timing effects of receipts of notes and accounts receivable, payments of accounts and other payables and contributions to pension funds in 2006 provided a partial offset.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

2007

Cash used in investing activities netted to $9.7 billion in 2007, $4.5 billion lower than in 2006. Spending for property, plant and equipment of $15.4 billion in 2007 was comparable to the prior year. Proceeds from the sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment of $4.2 billion in 2007 increased $1.1 billion, reflecting a higher level of asset sales in the Downstream business. Additions from the release of the restriction on the restricted cash and cash equivalents were $4.6 billion. Net investments and advances and net additions to marketable securities were $1.3 billion higher in 2007.

2006

Cash used in investing activities totaled $14.2 billion in 2006, $4.0 billion higher than 2005. Spending for property, plant and equipment increased $1.6 billion. Proceeds from the sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment of $3.1 billion in 2006 decreased $3.0 billion, reflecting a lower level of asset sales and the absence of almost $1.4 billion from the sale of the Corporation’s interest in Sinopec in 2005.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

2007

Cash used in financing activities was $38.3 billion, an increase of $2.1 billion from 2006, reflecting a higher level of purchases of ExxonMobil shares. Dividend payments on common shares increased to $1.37 per share from $1.28 per share and totaled $7.6 billion, a payout of 19 percent. Total consolidated short-term and long-term debt increased $1.2 billion to $9.6 billion at year-end 2007.

Shareholders’ equity increased $7.9 billion in 2007, to $121.8 billion, reflecting $40.6 billion of net income reduced by distributions to ExxonMobil shareholders of $7.6 billion of dividends and $28.0 billion of purchases of shares of ExxonMobil stock to reduce shares outstanding. Shareholders’ equity, and net assets and liabilities, increased $4.2 billion, representing the foreign exchange translation effects of stronger foreign currencies at the end of 2007 on ExxonMobil’s operations outside the United States.

During 2007, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 386 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $31.8 billion. These purchases were to reduce the number of shares outstanding and to offset shares issued in conjunction with company benefit plans and programs. Shares outstanding were reduced by 6.1 percent from 5,729 million at the end of 2006 to 5,382 million at the end of 2007. Purchases were made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions. Purchases may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

2006

Cash used in financing activities was $36.2 billion, an increase of $9.3 billion from 2005, reflecting a higher level of purchases of ExxonMobil shares. Dividend payments on common shares increased to $1.28 per share from $1.14 per share and totaled $7.6 billion, a payout of 19 percent. Total consolidated short-term and long-term debt increased $0.3 billion to $8.3 billion at year-end 2006.

        Shareholders’ equity increased $2.7 billion in 2006, to $113.8 billion, reflecting $39.5 billion of net income reduced by distributions to ExxonMobil shareholders of $7.6 billion of dividends and $25.0 billion of purchases of shares of ExxonMobil stock to reduce shares outstanding. Shareholders’ equity, and net assets and liabilities, increased $2.8 billion, representing the foreign exchange translation effects of stronger foreign currencies at the end of 2006 on ExxonMobil’s operations outside the United States. Recognition of the “Postretirement benefits reserves adjustment” under Financial Accounting Standard No. 158 (see note 16) reduced shareholders’ equity by $6.5 billion.

        During 2006, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 451 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $29.6 billion. These purchases were to reduce the number of shares outstanding and to offset shares issued in conjunction with company benefit plans and programs. Shares outstanding were reduced by 6.6 percent from 6,133 million at the end of 2005 to 5,729 million at the end of 2006. Purchases were made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Commitments

Set forth below is information about the outstanding commitments of the Corporation’s consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 2007. It combines data from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and from individual notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

     Payments Due by Period

Commitments


   Note
Reference
Number


   2008

   2009-
2012


   2013
and
Beyond


   Total

     (millions of dollars)

Long-term debt (1)

   13    $ —      $ 2,910    $ 4,273    $ 7,183

– Due in one year (2)

          318      —        —        318

Asset retirement obligations (3)

   8      307      1,182      3,652      5,141

Pension and other postretirement obligations (4)

   16      1,392      3,654      7,851      12,897

Operating leases (5)

   10      1,994      5,358      2,564      9,916

Unconditional purchase obligations (6)

   15      490      1,497      778      2,765

Take-or-pay obligations (7)

          956      2,851      2,369      6,176

Firm capital commitments (8)

          7,290      6,332      1,512      15,134

This table excludes commodity purchase obligations (volumetric commitments but no fixed or minimum price) which are resold shortly after purchase, either in an active, highly liquid market or under long-term, unconditional sales contracts with similar pricing terms. Examples include long-term, noncancelable LNG and natural gas purchase commitments and commitments to purchase refinery products at market prices. Inclusion of such commitments would not be meaningful in assessing liquidity and cash flow, because these purchases will be offset in the same periods by cash received from the related sales transactions. The table also excludes net unrecognized tax benefits totaling $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2007, because the Corporation is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities. Further details on the unrecognized tax benefits can be found in note 18, Income, Sales-Based and Other Taxes.

Notes:

 

(1) Includes capitalized lease obligations of $409 million.
(2) The amount due in one year is included in notes and loans payable of $2,383 million (note 5).
(3) The discounted present value of upstream asset retirement obligations, primarily asset removal costs at the completion of field life.
(4) The amount by which the benefit obligations exceeded the fair value of fund assets for certain U.S. and non-U.S. pension and other postretirement plans at year end. The payments by period include expected contributions to funded pension plans in 2008 and estimated benefit payments for unfunded plans in all years.
(5) Minimum commitments for operating leases, shown on an undiscounted basis, cover drilling equipment, tankers, service stations and other properties.
(6) Unconditional purchase obligations (UPOs) are those long-term commitments that are noncancelable and that third parties have used to secure financing for the facilities that will provide the contracted goods or services. The undiscounted obligations of $2,765 million mainly pertain to pipeline throughput agreements and include $1,847 million of obligations to equity companies. The present value of the total commitments, which excludes imputed interest of $562 million, was $2,203 million.
(7) Take-or-pay obligations are noncancelable, long-term commitments for goods and services other than UPOs. The undiscounted obligations of $6,176 million mainly pertain to manufacturing supply, pipeline and terminaling agreements and include $1,526 million of obligations to equity companies. The present value of the total commitments, which excludes imputed interest of $1,308 million, totaled $4,868 million.
(8) Firm commitments related to capital projects, shown on an undiscounted basis, totaled approximately $15.1 billion. These commitments were primarily associated with Upstream projects outside the U.S., of which $5.5 billion was associated with West African projects. The Corporation expects to fund the majority of these projects through internal cash flow.

Guarantees

The Corporation and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries were contingently liable at December 31, 2007, for $5,148 million, primarily relating to guarantees for notes, loans and performance under contracts (note 15). Included in this amount were guarantees by consolidated affiliates of $4,591 million, representing ExxonMobil’s share of obligations of certain equity companies. The below-mentioned guarantees are not reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

     Dec. 31, 2007

     Equity
Company
Obligations


   Other
Third-Party
Obligations


   Total

     (millions of dollars)

Total guarantees

   $  4,591    $  557    $ 5,148

 

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Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Financial Strength

On December 31, 2007, unused credit lines for short-term financing totaled approximately $5.7 billion (note 5).

The table below shows the Corporation’s fixed-charge coverage and consolidated debt-to-capital ratios. The data demonstrate the Corporation’s creditworthiness. Throughout this period, the Corporation’s long-term debt securities maintained the top credit rating from both Standard & Poor’s (AAA) and Moody’s (Aaa), a rating it has sustained for 89 years.

 

     2007

  2006

  2005

Fixed-charge coverage ratio (times)

   49.9   46.3   50.2

Debt to capital (percent)

   7.1   6.6   6.5

Net debt to capital (percent)

   (24.0)   (20.4)   (22.0)

Credit rating

   AAA/Aaa   AAA/Aaa   AAA/Aaa

Management views the Corporation’s financial strength, as evidenced by the above financial ratios and other similar measures, to be a competitive advantage of strategic importance. The Corporation’s sound financial position gives it the opportunity to access the world’s capital markets in the full range of market conditions, and enables the Corporation to take on large, long-term capital commitments in the pursuit of maximizing shareholder value.

The Corporation makes limited use of derivative instruments, which are discussed in note 12.

Litigation and Other Contingencies

Litigation

As discussed in note 15, a number of lawsuits, including class actions, were brought in various courts against Exxon Mobil Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries relating to the accidental release of crude oil from the tanker Exxon Valdez in 1989. All the compensatory claims have been resolved and paid. All of the punitive damage claims were consolidated in the civil trial that began in 1994. The first judgment from the United States District Court for the District of Alaska in the amount of $5 billion was vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as being excessive under the Constitution. The second judgment in the amount of $4 billion was vacated by the Ninth Circuit panel without argument and sent back for the District Court to reconsider in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Campbell v. State Farm. The most recent District Court judgment for punitive damages was for $4.5 billion plus interest and was entered in January 2004. The Corporation posted a $5.4 billion letter of credit. ExxonMobil and the plaintiffs appealed this decision to the Ninth Circuit, which ruled on December 22, 2006, that the award be reduced to $2.5 billion. On January 12, 2007, ExxonMobil petitioned the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for a rehearing en banc of its appeal. On May 23, 2007, with two dissenting opinions, the Ninth Circuit determined not to re-hear ExxonMobil’s appeal before the full court. ExxonMobil filed a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court on August 20, 2007. On October 29, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court granted ExxonMobil’s petition for a writ of certiorari. Oral argument was held on February 27, 2008. While it is reasonably possible that a liability for punitive damages may have been incurred from the Exxon Valdez grounding, it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome or to reasonably estimate any such potential liability.

In December 2000, a jury in the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Alabama, returned a verdict against the Corporation in a dispute over royalties in the amount of $88 million in compensatory damages and $3.4 billion in punitive damages in the case of Exxon Corporation v. State of Alabama, et al. The verdict was upheld by the trial court in May 2001. In December 2002, the Alabama Supreme Court vacated the $3.5 billion jury verdict. The case was retried and in November 2003, a state district court jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned a verdict against Exxon Mobil Corporation. The verdict included $63.5 million in compensatory damages and $11.8 billion in punitive damages. In March 2004, the district court judge reduced the amount of punitive damages to $3.5 billion. ExxonMobil appealed the decision to the Alabama Supreme Court. On November 1, 2007, the Alabama Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s fraud judgment and instructed the district court to enter judgment for ExxonMobil on the fraud claim, eliminating the punitive damage award. The Court also ruled in ExxonMobil’s favor on some of the disputed lease issues, reducing the compensatory award to $52 million plus interest. Following the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision, an appeal bond was canceled and the collateral was subsequently released.

        In 2001, a Louisiana state court jury awarded compensatory damages of $56 million and punitive damages of $1 billion to a landowner for damage caused by a third party that leased the property from the landowner. The third party provided pipe cleaning and storage services for the Corporation and other entities. The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reduced the punitive damage award to $112 million in 2005. The Corporation appealed this decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court which, in March 2006, refused to hear the appeal. ExxonMobil has fully accrued and paid the compensatory and punitive damage awards. The Corporation appealed the punitive damage award to the U.S. Supreme Court, which on February 26, 2007, vacated the judgment and remanded the case to the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for reconsideration in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Williams v. Phillip Morris USA. On August 8, 2007, the Fourth Circuit issued its decision on remand and declined to reduce the punitive damage award. On November 16, 2007, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied ExxonMobil’s writ for review of the Fourth Circuit’s decision. ExxonMobil has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Based on a consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, the Corporation does not believe the ultimate outcome of any currently pending lawsuit against ExxonMobil will have a materially adverse effect upon the Corporation’s operations or financial condition. There are no events or uncertainties beyond those already included in reported financial information that would indicate a material change in future operating results or financial condition.

Other Contingencies

In accordance with a nationalization decree issued by Venezuela’s president in February 2007, by May 1, 2007, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan National Oil Company (PdVSA) assumed the operatorship of the Cerro Negro Heavy Oil Project. This Project had been operated and owned by ExxonMobil affiliates holding a 41.67 percent ownership interest in the Project. The decree also required conversion of the Cerro Negro Project into a “mixed enterprise” and an increase in PdVSA’s or one of its affiliate’s ownership interest in the Project, with the stipulation that if ExxonMobil refused to accept the terms for the formation of the mixed enterprise within a specified period of time, the government would “directly assume the activities” carried out by the joint venture. ExxonMobil refused to accede to the terms proffered by PdVSA, and on June 27, 2007, the government expropriated ExxonMobil’s 41.67 percent interest in the Cerro Negro Project.

To date, discussions with Venezuelan authorities have not resulted in an agreement on the amount of compensation to be paid to ExxonMobil. On September 6, 2007, ExxonMobil filed a Request for Arbitration with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. ExxonMobil has also filed an arbitration under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce against PdVSA and a PdVSA affiliate for breach of their contractual obligations under certain Cerro Negro Project agreements. At this time, the net impact of this matter on the Corporation’s consolidated financial results cannot be reasonably estimated. However, the Corporation does not expect the resolution to have a material effect upon the Corporation’s operations or financial condition. At the time the assets were expropriated, ExxonMobil’s remaining net book investment in Cerro Negro producing assets was about $750 million.

CAPITAL AND EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES

 

     2007

   2006

     U.S.

   Non-U.S.

   U.S.

   Non-U.S.

     (millions of dollars)

Upstream (1)

   $ 2,212    $ 13,512    $ 2,486    $ 13,745

Downstream

     1,128      2,175      824      1,905

Chemical

     360      1,422      280      476

Other

     44      —        130      9
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 3,744    $ 17,109    $ 3,720    $ 16,135
    

  

  

  

 

(1) Exploration expenses included.

Capital and exploration expenditures in 2007 were $20.9 billion, reflecting the Corporation’s continued active investment program. The Corporation expects annual expenditures to range from $25 billion to $30 billion for the next several years. Actual spending could vary depending on the progress of individual projects.

Upstream spending of $15.7 billion in 2007 was down 3 percent from 2006, mainly due to timing of project implementation and related expenditures. During the past three years, Upstream capital and exploration expenditures averaged $15.5 billion. The majority of these expenditures are on development projects, which typically take two to four years from the time of recording proved undeveloped reserves to the start of production from those reserves. The percentage of proved developed reserves has remained relatively stable over the past five years at over 60 percent of total proved reserves, indicating that proved reserves are consistently moved from undeveloped to developed status. Capital and exploration expenditures are not tracked by the undeveloped and developed proved reserve categories. Capital investments in the Downstream totaled $3.3 billion in 2007, an increase of $0.6 billion from 2006, as a result of new investment in China and higher environmental expenditures. Chemical 2007 capital expenditures of $1.8 billion were up $1.0 billion from 2006 due to increased investment in Singapore and China to meet Asia Pacific demand growth.

TAXES

 

     2007

    2006

    2005

 
     (millions of dollars)  

Income taxes

   $ 29,864     $ 27,902     $ 23,302  

Sales-based taxes

     31,728       30,381       30,742  

All other taxes and duties

     44,091       42,393       44,571  
    


 


 


Total

   $ 105,683     $ 100,676     $ 98,615  
    


 


 


Effective income tax rate

     44 %     43 %     41 %

2007

Income, sales-based and all other taxes totaled $105.7 billion in 2007, an increase of $5.0 billion or 5 percent from 2006. Income tax expense, both current and deferred, was $29.9 billion, $2.0 billion higher than 2006, reflecting higher pre-tax income in 2007. The effective tax rate was 44 percent in 2007, compared to 43 percent in 2006. Sales-based and all other taxes and duties of $75.8 billion in 2007 increased $3.0 billion from 2006, reflecting higher prices.

2006

Income, sales-based and all other taxes and duties totaled $100.7 billion in 2006, an increase of $2.1 billion or 2 percent from 2005. Income tax expense, both current and deferred, was $27.9 billion, $4.6 billion higher than 2005, reflecting higher pre-tax income in 2006. The effective tax rate was 43 percent in 2006, compared to 41 percent in 2005. During both periods, the Corporation continued to benefit from the favorable resolution of tax-related issues. Sales-based and all other taxes and duties of $72.8 billion in 2006 decreased $2.5 billion from 2005, reflecting the tax impact of net reporting of purchases and sales of inventory with the same counterparty, only partly offset by the effects of higher prices.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Environmental Expenditures

 

     2007

   2006

     (millions of dollars)

Capital expenditures

   $ 1,525    $ 1,081

Other expenditures

     2,272      2,127
    

  

Total

   $ 3,797    $ 3,208
    

  

Throughout ExxonMobil’s businesses, new and ongoing measures are taken to prevent and minimize the impact of our operations on air, water and ground. These include a significant investment in refining infrastructure and technology to manufacture clean fuels as well as projects to reduce nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions and expenditures for asset retirement obligations. ExxonMobil’s 2007 worldwide environmental expenditures for all such preventative and remediation steps, including ExxonMobil’s share of equity company expenditures, were about $3.8 billion. The total cost for such activities is expected to remain in this range in 2008 and 2009 (with capital expenditures approximately 45 percent of the total).

Environmental Liabilities

The Corporation accrues environmental liabilities when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. This policy applies to assets or businesses currently owned or previously disposed. ExxonMobil has accrued liabilities for probable environmental remediation obligations at various sites, including multiparty sites where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified ExxonMobil as one of the potentially responsible parties. The involvement of other financially responsible companies at these multiparty sites could mitigate ExxonMobil’s actual joint and several liability exposure. At present, no individual site is expected to have losses material to ExxonMobil’s operations or financial condition. Consolidated company provisions made in 2007 for environmental liabilities were $432 million ($350 million in 2006) and the balance sheet reflects accumulated liabilities of $916 million as of December 31, 2007, and $864 million as of December 31, 2006.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The fair values of asset retirement obligations are recorded as liabilities on a discounted basis when they are incurred, which is typically at the time assets are installed, with an offsetting amount booked as additions to property, plant and equipment ($113 million for 2007). Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the increase in their present value, with this effect included in expenses ($322 million in 2007). Consolidated company expenditures for asset retirement obligations in 2007 were $352 million and the ending balance of the obligations recorded on the balance sheet at December 31, 2007, totaled $5,141 million.

MARKET RISKS, INFLATION AND OTHER UNCERTAINTIES

 

Worldwide Average Realizations (1)


   2007

   2006

   2005

Crude oil and NGL ($/barrel)

   $ 66.02    $ 58.34    $ 48.23

Natural gas ($/kcf)

     5.29      6.08      5.96

 

(1) Consolidated subsidiaries.

Crude oil, natural gas, petroleum product and chemical prices have fluctuated in response to changing market forces. The impacts of these price fluctuations on earnings from Upstream, Downstream and Chemical operations have varied. In the Upstream, based on the 2007 worldwide production levels, a $1 per barrel change in the weighted-average realized price of oil would have approximately a $400 million annual after-tax effect on Upstream consolidated plus equity company earnings. Similarly, a $0.10 per kcf change in the worldwide average gas realization would have approximately a $200 million annual after-tax effect on Upstream consolidated plus equity company earnings. For any given period, the extent of actual benefit or detriment will be dependent on the price movements of individual types of crude oil, taxes and other government take impacts, price adjustment lags in long-term gas contracts, and crude and gas production volumes. Accordingly, changes in benchmark prices for crude oil and natural gas only provide a broad indicator of changes in the earnings experienced in any particular period.

        In the very competitive downstream and chemical environments, earnings are primarily determined by margin capture rather than absolute price levels of products sold. Refining margins are a function of the difference between what a refiner pays for its raw materials (primarily crude oil) and the market prices for the range of products produced. These prices in turn depend on global and regional supply/demand balances, inventory levels, refinery operations, import/export balances and weather.

        The global energy markets can give rise to extended periods in which market conditions are adverse to one or more of the Corporation’s businesses. Such conditions, along with the capital-intensive nature of the industry and very long lead times associated with many of our projects, underscore the importance of maintaining a strong financial position. Management views the Corporation’s financial strength, including the AAA and Aaa ratings of its long-term debt securities by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, as a competitive advantage.

        In general, segment results are not dependent on the ability to sell and/or purchase products to/from other segments. Instead, where such sales take place, they are the result of efficiencies and competitive advantages of integrated refinery/chemical complexes. Additionally, intersegment sales are at market-based prices. The products bought and sold between segments can also be acquired in worldwide markets that have substantial liquidity, capacity and transportation capabilities. About 40 percent of the Corporation’s intersegment sales are crude oil produced by the Upstream and sold to the Downstream. Other intersegment sales include those between refineries and chemical plants related to raw materials, feedstocks and finished products.

 

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Although price levels of crude oil and natural gas may rise or fall significantly over the short to medium term due to political events, OPEC actions and other factors, industry economics over the long term will continue to be driven by market supply and demand. Accordingly, the Corporation tests the viability of all of its assets over a broad range of future prices. The Corporation’s assessment is that its operations will continue to be successful in a variety of market conditions. This is the outcome of disciplined investment and asset management programs. Investment opportunities are tested against a variety of market conditions, including low-price scenarios. As a result, investments that would succeed only in highly favorable price environments are screened out of the investment plan.

The Corporation has had an active asset management program in which underperforming assets are either improved to acceptable levels or considered for divestment. The asset management program involves a disciplined, regular review to ensure that all assets are contributing to the Corporation’s strategic and financial objectives. The result has been the creation of an efficient capital base and has meant that the Corporation has seldom been required to write down the carrying value of assets, even during periods of low commodity prices.

Risk Management

The Corporation’s size, strong capital structure, geographic diversity and the complementary nature of the Upstream, Downstream and Chemical businesses reduce the Corporation’s enterprise-wide risk from changes in interest rates, currency rates and commodity prices. As a result, the Corporation makes limited use of derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of such changes. The Corporation does not engage in speculative derivative activities or derivative trading activities nor does it use derivatives with leveraged features. The Corporation maintains a system of controls that includes the authorization, reporting and monitoring of derivative activity. The Corporation’s limited derivative activities pose no material credit or market risks to ExxonMobil’s operations, financial condition or liquidity. Note 12 summarizes the fair value of derivatives outstanding at year end and the gains or losses that have been recognized in net income.

The Corporation is exposed to changes in interest rates, primarily as a result of its short-term debt and long-term debt carrying floating interest rates. The impact of a 100-basis-point change in interest rates affecting the Corporation’s debt would not be material to earnings, cash flow or fair value. The Corporation’s cash balances exceeded total debt at year-end 2007 and 2006.

The Corporation conducts business in many foreign currencies and is subject to exchange rate risk on cash flows related to sales, expenses, financing and investment transactions. The impacts of fluctuations in exchange rates on ExxonMobil’s geographically and functionally diverse operations are varied and often offsetting in amount. The Corporation makes limited use of currency exchange contracts, commodity forwards, swaps and futures contracts to mitigate the impact of changes in currency values and commodity prices. Exposures related to the Corporation’s limited use of the above contracts are not material.

Inflation and Other Uncertainties

The general rate of inflation in most major countries of operation has been relatively low in recent years and the associated impact on costs has generally been countered by cost reductions from efficiency and productivity improvements. Increased global demand for certain services and materials has resulted in higher operating and capital costs in recent years. The Corporation continues to mitigate these effects through its economies of scale in global procurement and its efficient project management practices.

RECENTLY ISSUED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Fair Value Measurements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Statement No. 157 (FAS 157), “Fair Value Measurements.” FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value when an entity is required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes and expands the disclosures about fair value measurements.

FAS 157 must be adopted by the Corporation no later than January 1, 2008, for all financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are remeasured at fair value at least annually. FAS 157 must be adopted no later than January 1, 2009, for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not remeasured at fair value at least annually. The Corporation does not expect the adoption of FAS 157 to have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 160 (FAS 160), “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51.” FAS 160 changes the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which will be recharacterized as non-controlling interests and classified as a component of equity.

FAS 160 must be adopted by the Corporation no later than January 1, 2009. FAS 160 requires retrospective adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements of FAS 160 will be applied prospectively. The Corporation does not expect the adoption FAS 160 to have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Corporation’s accounting and financial reporting fairly reflect its straightforward business model involving the extracting, refining and marketing of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-based products. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The following summary provides further information about the critical accounting policies and the judgments that are made by the Corporation in the application of those policies.

Oil and Gas Reserves

Evaluations of oil and gas reserves are important to the effective management of Upstream assets. They are integral to making investment decisions about oil and gas properties such as whether development should proceed or enhanced recovery methods should be undertaken. Oil and gas reserve quantities are also used as the basis for calculating unit-of-production depreciation rates and for evaluating impairment. Oil and gas reserves include both proved and unproved reserves. Proved reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions; i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Unproved reserves are those with less than reasonable certainty of recoverability and include probable reserves. Probable reserves are reserves that are more likely to be recovered than not.

The estimation of proved reserves, which is based on the requirement of reasonable certainty, is an ongoing process based on rigorous technical evaluations, commercial and market assessment, and detailed analysis of well information such as flow rates and reservoir pressure declines. The estimation of proved reserves is controlled by the Corporation through long-standing approval guidelines. Reserve changes are made within a well-established, disciplined process driven by senior level geoscience and engineering professionals (assisted by a central reserves group with significant technical experience), culminating in reviews with and approval by senior management. Notably, the Corporation does not use specific quantitative reserve targets to determine compensation.

Key features of the reserves estimation process include:

 

   

rigorous peer-reviewed technical evaluations and analysis of well and field performance information (such as flow rates and reservoir pressure declines) and

 

   

a requirement that management make significant funding commitments toward the development of the reserves prior to reporting as proved.

Although the Corporation is reasonably certain that proved reserves will be produced, the timing and amount recovered can be affected by a number of factors including completion of development projects, reservoir performance, regulatory approvals and significant changes in long-term oil and gas price levels.

Proved reserves can be further subdivided into developed and undeveloped reserves. The percentage of proved developed reserves has remained relatively stable over the past five years at over 60 percent of total proved reserves (including both consolidated and equity company reserves), indicating that proved reserves are consistently moved from undeveloped to developed status. Over time, these undeveloped reserves will be reclassified to the developed category as new wells are drilled, existing wells are recompleted and/or facilities to collect and deliver the production from existing and future wells are installed. Major development projects typically take two to four years from the time of recording proved reserves to the start of production from these reserves.

        The year-end reserves volumes as well as the reserves change categories shown in the proved reserves tables are calculated using December 31 prices and costs. These reserves quantities are also used in calculating unit-of-production depreciation rates and in calculating the standardized measure of discounted net cash flow. We understand that the use of December 31 prices and costs is intended to provide a point in time measure to calculate reserves and to enhance comparability between companies.

        Regulations preclude the Corporation from showing in this document the reserves that are calculated in a manner that is consistent with the basis that the Corporation uses to make its investment decisions. The use of year-end prices for reserves estimation introduces short-term price volatility into the process, since annual adjustments are required based on prices occurring on a single day. The Corporation believes that this approach is inconsistent with the long-term nature of the upstream business where production from individual projects often spans multiple decades. The use of prices from a single date is not relevant to the investment decisions made by the Corporation and annual variations in reserves based on such year-end prices are not of consequence in how the business is actually managed.

        Revisions can include upward or downward changes in previously estimated volumes of proved reserves for existing fields due to the evaluation or re-evaluation of (1) already available geologic, reservoir or production data, (2) new geologic, reservoir or production data or (3) changes in year-end prices and costs that are used in the determination of reserves. This category can also include changes associated with the performance of improved recovery projects and significant changes in either development strategy or production equipment/facility capacity.

        The Corporation uses the “successful efforts” method to account for its exploration and production activities. Under this method, costs are accumulated on a field-by-field basis with certain exploratory expenditures and exploratory dry holes being expensed as incurred. Costs of productive wells and development dry holes are capitalized and amortized on the unit-of-production method. The Corporation uses this accounting policy instead of the “full cost” method because it provides a more timely accounting of the success or failure of the Corporation’s exploration and production activities. If the full cost method were used, all costs would be capitalized and depreciated on a country-by-country basis. The capitalized costs would be subject to an impairment test by country. The full cost method would tend to delay the expense recognition of unsuccessful projects.

 

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Impact of Oil and Gas Reserves on Depreciation. The calculation of unit-of-production depreciation is a critical accounting estimate that measures the depreciation of upstream assets. It is the ratio of actual volumes produced to total proved developed reserves (those proved reserves recoverable through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods), applied to the asset cost. The volumes produced and asset cost are known and, while proved developed reserves have a high probability of recoverability, they are based on estimates that are subject to some variability. While the revisions the Corporation has made in the past are an indicator of variability, they have had a very small impact on the unit-of-production rates because they have been small compared to the large reserves base.

Impact of Oil and Gas Reserves and Prices on Testing for Impairment. Proved oil and gas properties held and used by the Corporation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets.

The Corporation estimates the future undiscounted cash flows of the affected properties to judge the recoverability of carrying amounts. In general, analyses are based on proved reserves. Where probable reserves exist, an appropriately risk-adjusted amount of these reserves may be included in the impairment evaluation. An asset would be impaired if the undiscounted cash flows were less than its carrying value. Impairments are measured by the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its fair value.

The Corporation performs asset valuation analyses on an ongoing basis as a part of its asset management program. These analyses monitor the performance of assets against corporate objectives. They also assist the Corporation in assessing whether the carrying amounts of any of its assets may not be recoverable. In addition to estimating oil and gas reserve volumes in conducting these analyses, it is also necessary to estimate future oil and gas prices. Trigger events for impairment evaluation include a significant decrease in current and projected prices or reserve volumes, an accumulation of project costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected, and historical and current operating losses.

In general, the Corporation does not view temporarily low oil and gas prices as a trigger event for conducting the impairment tests. The markets for crude oil and natural gas have a history of significant price volatility. Although prices will occasionally drop significantly, industry prices over the long term will continue to be driven by market supply and demand. On the supply side, industry production from mature fields is declining, but this is being offset by production from new discoveries and field developments. OPEC production policies also have an impact on world oil supplies. The demand side is largely a function of global economic growth. The relative growth/decline in supply versus demand will determine industry prices over the long term and these cannot be accurately predicted. Accordingly, any impairment tests that the Corporation performs make use of the Corporation’s price assumptions developed in the annual planning and budgeting process for the crude oil and natural gas markets, petroleum products and chemicals. These are the same price assumptions that are used for capital investment decisions. Volumes are based on individual field production profiles, which are updated annually. Cash flow estimates for impairment testing exclude the use of derivative instruments.

Supplemental information regarding oil and gas results of operations, capitalized costs and reserves is provided following the notes to consolidated financial statements. The standardized measure of discounted future cash flows is based on the year-end price applied for all future years, as required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69 (FAS 69), “Disclosure about Oil and Gas Producing Activities.” Future prices used for any impairment tests will vary from the one used in the FAS 69 disclosure and could be lower or higher for any given year.

Suspended Exploratory Well Costs

The Corporation carries as an asset exploratory well costs when the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and where the Corporation is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. Exploratory well costs not meeting these criteria are charged to expense. Assessing whether a project has made sufficient progress is a subjective area and requires careful consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances. The facts and circumstances that support continued capitalization of suspended wells as of year-end 2007 are disclosed in note 9 to the financial statements.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidations

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of those subsidiaries that the Corporation controls. They also include the Corporation’s share of the undivided interest in certain upstream assets and liabilities. Amounts representing the Corporation’s percentage interest in the underlying net assets of other significant affiliates that it does not control, but exercises significant influence, are included in “Investments, advances and long-term receivables”; the Corporation’s share of the net income of these companies is included in the Consolidated Statement of Income caption “Income from equity affiliates.” The accounting for these non-consolidated companies is referred to as the equity method of accounting.

Majority ownership is normally the indicator of control that is the basis on which subsidiaries are consolidated. However, certain factors may indicate that a majority-owned investment is not controlled and therefore should be accounted for using the equity method of accounting. These factors occur where the minority shareholders are granted by law or by contract substantive participating rights. These include the right to approve operating policies, expense budgets, financing and investment plans and management compensation and succession plans.

Additional disclosures of summary balance sheet and income information for those subsidiaries accounted for under the equity method of accounting can be found in note 6.

Investments in companies that are partially owned by the Corporation are integral to the Corporation’s operations. In some cases they serve to balance worldwide risks and in others they provide the only available means of entry into a particular market or area of interest. The other parties who also have an equity interest in these companies are either independent third parties or host governments that share in the business results according to their percentage ownership. The Corporation does not invest in these companies in order to remove liabilities from its balance sheet. In fact, the Corporation has long been on record supporting an alternative accounting method that would require each investor to consolidate its percentage share of all assets and liabilities in these partially owned companies rather than only its percentage in the net equity. This method of accounting for investments in partially owned companies is not permitted by GAAP except where the investments are in the direct ownership of a share of upstream assets and liabilities. However, for purposes of calculating return on average capital employed, which is not covered by GAAP standards, the Corporation includes its share of debt of these partially owned companies in the determination of average capital employed.

Pension Benefits

The Corporation and its affiliates sponsor approximately 100 defined benefit (pension) plans in about 50 countries. The funding arrangement for each plan depends on the prevailing practices and regulations of the countries where the Corporation operates. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (note 16) provides details on pension obligations, fund assets and pension expense.

Some of these plans (primarily non-U.S.) provide pension benefits that are paid directly by their sponsoring affiliates out of corporate cash flow rather than a separate pension fund. Book reserves are established for these plans because tax conventions and regulatory practices do not encourage advance funding. The portion of the pension cost attributable to employee service is expensed as services are rendered. The portion attributable to the increase in pension obligations due to the passage of time is expensed over the term of the obligations, which ends when all benefits are paid. The primary difference in pension expense for unfunded versus funded plans is that pension expense for funded plans also includes a credit for the expected long-term return on fund assets.

For funded plans, including many in the United States, pension obligations are financed in advance through segregated assets or insurance arrangements. These plans are managed in compliance with the requirements of governmental authorities and meet or exceed required funding levels as measured by relevant actuarial and government standards at the mandated measurement dates. In determining liabilities and required contributions, these standards often require approaches and assumptions that differ from those used for accounting purposes.

The Corporation will continue to make contributions to these funded plans as necessary. All defined-benefit pension obligations, regardless of the funding status of the underlying plans, are fully supported by the financial strength of the Corporation or the respective sponsoring affiliate.

        Pension accounting requires explicit assumptions regarding, among others, the long-term expected earnings rate on fund assets, the discount rate for the benefit obligations and the long-term rate for future salary increases. Pension assumptions are reviewed annually by outside actuaries and senior management. These assumptions are adjusted only as appropriate to reflect changes in market rates and outlook. For example, the long-term expected earnings rate on U.S. pension plan assets in 2007 was 9.0 percent. This compares to an actual rate of return over the past decade of 10 percent. The Corporation establishes the long-term expected rate of return by developing a forward-looking, long-term return assumption for each pension fund asset class, taking into account factors such as the expected real return for the specific asset class and inflation. A single, long-term rate of return is then calculated as the weighted average of the target asset allocation and the long-term return assumption for each asset class. A worldwide reduction of 0.5 percent in the long-term rate of return on assets would increase annual pension expense by approximately $140 million before tax.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Differences between actual returns on fund assets and the long-term expected return are not recognized in pension expense in the year that the difference occurs. Such differences are deferred, along with other actuarial gains and losses, and are amortized into pension expense over the expected remaining service life of employees.

Litigation Contingencies

A variety of claims have been made against the Corporation and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries in a number of pending lawsuits. Management has regular litigation reviews, including updates from corporate and outside counsel, to assess the need for accounting recognition or disclosure of these contingencies. The status of significant claims is summarized in note 15.

GAAP requires that liabilities for contingencies be recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred by the date of the balance sheet and that the amount can be reasonably estimated. These amounts are not reduced by amounts that may be recovered under insurance or claims against third parties, but undiscounted receivables from insurers or other third parties may be accrued separately. The Corporation revises such accruals in light of new information. For contingencies where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and which are significant, the Corporation discloses the nature of the contingency and, where feasible, an estimate of the possible loss.

Significant management judgment is required related to contingent liabilities and the outcome of litigation because both are difficult to predict. However, the Corporation has been successful in defending litigation in the past. Payments have not had a materially adverse effect on operations or financial condition. In the Corporation’s experience, large claims often do not result in large awards. Large awards are often reversed or substantially reduced as a result of appeal or settlement.

Tax Contingencies

The Corporation is subject to income taxation in many jurisdictions around the world. Significant management judgment is required in the accounting for income tax contingencies and tax disputes because the outcomes are often difficult to predict.

GAAP requires recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions that the Corporation has taken or expects to take in its income tax returns. The benefit of an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements if management concludes that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained with the tax authorities. For a position that is likely to be sustained, the benefit recognized in the financial statements is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. A reserve is established for the difference between a position taken in an income tax return and the amount recognized in the financial statements. The Corporation’s unrecognized tax benefits and a description of open tax years are summarized in note 18.

Foreign Currency Translation

The method of translating the foreign currency financial statements of the Corporation’s international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars is prescribed by GAAP. Under these principles, it is necessary to select the functional currency of these subsidiaries. The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the subsidiary operates. Management selects the functional currency after evaluating this economic environment. Downstream and Chemical operations use the local currency, except in countries with a history of high inflation (primarily in Latin America) and Singapore, which uses the U.S. dollar because it predominantly sells into the U.S. dollar export market. Upstream operations also use the local currency as the functional currency, except where crude and natural gas production is predominantly sold in the export market in U.S. dollars. Operations using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency include Malaysia, Indonesia, Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Russia and the Middle East.

Factors considered by management when determining the functional currency for a subsidiary include: the currency used for cash flows related to individual assets and liabilities; the responsiveness of sales prices to changes in exchange rates; the history of inflation in the country; whether sales are into local markets or exported; the currency used to acquire raw materials, labor, services and supplies; sources of financing; and significance of intercompany transactions.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management, including the Corporation’s chief executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Corporation’s financial reporting. Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that Exxon Mobil Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, audited the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, as stated in their report included in the Financial Section of this report.

 

LOGO    LOGO    LOGO
Rex W. Tillerson    Donald D. Humphreys    Patrick T. Mulva
Chief Executive Officer   

Sr. Vice President and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  

Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

LOGO

To the Shareholders of Exxon Mobil Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed under Item 8 of the Form 10-K present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Exxon Mobil Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2007, and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Corporation’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Corporation changed its method of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in 2007.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

LOGO

Dallas, Texas

February 28, 2008

 

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Index to Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

     Note
Reference
Number


   2007

   2006

   2005

          (millions of dollars)

Revenues and other income

                         

Sales and other operating revenue (1) (2)

        $ 390,328    $ 365,467    $ 358,955

Income from equity affiliates

   6      8,901      6,985      7,583

Other income

          5,323      5,183      4,142
         

  

  

Total revenues and other income

        $ 404,552    $ 377,635    $ 370,680
         

  

  

Costs and other deductions

                         

Crude oil and product purchases

        $ 199,498    $ 182,546    $ 185,219

Production and manufacturing expenses

          31,885      29,528      26,819

Selling, general and administrative expenses

          14,890      14,273      14,402

Depreciation and depletion

          12,250      11,416      10,253

Exploration expenses, including dry holes

          1,469      1,181      964

Interest expense

          400      654      496

Sales-based taxes (1)

   18      31,728      30,381      30,742

Other taxes and duties

   18      40,953      39,203      41,554

Income applicable to minority and preferred interests

          1,005      1,051      799
         

  

  

Total costs and other deductions

        $ 334,078    $ 310,233    $ 311,248
         

  

  

Income before income taxes

        $ 70,474    $ 67,402    $ 59,432

Income taxes

   18      29,864      27,902      23,302
         

  

  

Net income

        $ 40,610    $ 39,500    $ 36,130
         

  

  

Net income per common share (dollars)

   11    $ 7.36    $ 6.68    $ 5.76

Net income per common share – assuming dilution (dollars)

   11    $ 7.28    $ 6.62    $ 5.71

 

(1) Sales and other operating revenue includes sales-based taxes of $31,728 million for 2007, $30,381 million for 2006 and $30,742 million for 2005.
(2) Sales and other operating revenue includes $30,810 million for 2005 for purchases/sales contracts with the same counterparty. Associated costs were included in Crude oil and product purchases. Effective January 1, 2006, these purchases/sales were recorded on a net basis with no resulting impact on net income. See note 1, Summary of Accounting Policies.

The information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

     Note
Reference
Number


   Dec. 31
2007


    Dec. 31
2006


 
          (millions of dollars)  

Assets

                     

Current assets

                     

Cash and cash equivalents

        $ 33,981     $ 28,244  

Cash and cash equivalents – restricted

   3, 15      —         4,604  

Marketable securities

          519       —    

Notes and accounts receivable, less estimated doubtful amounts

   5      36,450       28,942  

Inventories

                     

Crude oil, products and merchandise

   3      8,863       8,979  

Materials and supplies

          2,226       1,735  

Prepaid taxes and expenses

          3,924       3,273  
         


 


Total current assets

        $ 85,963     $ 75,777  

Investments, advances and long-term receivables

   7      28,194       23,237  

Property, plant and equipment, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and depletion

   8      120,869       113,687  

Other assets, including intangibles, net

          7,056       6,314  
         


 


Total assets

        $ 242,082     $ 219,015  
         


 


Liabilities

                     

Current liabilities

                     

Notes and loans payable

   5    $ 2,383     $ 1,702  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   5      45,275       39,082  

Income taxes payable

          10,654       8,033  
         


 


Total current liabilities

        $ 58,312     $ 48,817  

Long-term debt

   13      7,183       6,645  

Postretirement benefits reserves

   16      13,278       13,931  

Deferred income tax liabilities

   18      22,899       20,851  

Other long-term obligations

          14,366       11,123  

Equity of minority and preferred shareholders in affiliated companies

          4,282       3,804  
         


 


Total liabilities

        $ 120,320     $ 105,171  
         


 


Commitments and contingencies

   15                 

Shareholders’ equity

                     

Common stock without par value

        $ 4,933     $ 4,786  

(9,000 million shares authorized, 8,019 million shares issued)

                     

Earnings reinvested

          228,518       195,207  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

                     

Cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustment

          7,972       3,733  

Postretirement benefits reserves adjustment

          (5,983 )     (6,495 )

Common stock held in treasury (2,637 million shares in 2007 and 2,290 million shares in 2006)

          (113,678 )     (83,387 )
         


 


Total shareholders’ equity

        $ 121,762     $ 113,844  
         


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

        $ 242,082     $ 219,015  
         


 


The information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

          2007

    2006

   2005

 
     Note
Reference
Number


   Shareholders’
Equity


    Comprehensive
Income


    Shareholders’
Equity


    Comprehensive
Income
(1)


   Shareholders’
Equity


    Comprehensive
Income


 
                      (millions of dollars)             

Common stock

                                                    

At beginning of year

        $ 4,786             $ 4,477            $ 4,053          

Restricted stock amortization

          531               480              356          

Tax benefits related to stock-based awards

          113               169              224          

Cumulative effect of accounting change

   2      (55 )             —                —            

Other

          (442 )             (340 )            (156 )        
         


         


        


       

At end of year

        $ 4,933             $ 4,786            $ 4,477          
         


         


        


       

Earnings reinvested

                                                    

At beginning of year

          195,207               163,335              134,390          

Net income for the year

          40,610     $ 40,610       39,500     $ 39,500      36,130     $ 36,130  

Cumulative effect of accounting change

   2      322               —                —            

Dividends – common shares

          (7,621 )             (7,628 )            (7,185 )        
         


         


        


       

At end of year

        $ 228,518             $ 195,207            $ 163,335          
         


         


        


       

Accumulated other comprehensive income

                                                    

At beginning of year

          (2,762 )             (1,279 )            1,527          

Foreign exchange translation adjustment

          4,239       4,239       2,754       2,754      (2,619 )     (2,619 )

Postretirement benefits reserves adjustment

   16      (326 )     (326 )     (6,495 )     —        —         —    

Amortization of postretirement benefits reserves adjustment included in net periodic benefit costs

   16      838       838       —         —        —         —    

Minimum pension liability adjustment

          —         —         2,258       749      241       241  

Reclassification adjustment for gain on sale of stock investment included in net income

          —         —         —         —        (428 )     (428 )
         


         


        


       

At end of year

        $ 1,989             $ (2,762 )          $ (1,279 )        
         


 


 


 

  


 


Total

                $ 45,361             $ 43,003            $ 33,324  
                 


         

          


Common stock held in treasury

                                                    

At beginning of year

          (83,387 )             (55,347 )            (38,214 )        

Acquisitions, at cost

          (31,822 )             (29,558 )            (18,221 )        

Dispositions

          1,531               1,518              1,088          
         


         


        


       

At end of year

        $ (113,678 )           $ (83,387 )          $ (55,347 )        
         


         


        


       

Shareholders’ equity at end of year

        $ 121,762             $ 113,844            $ 111,186          
         


         


        


       
     Share Activity

 
          2007

          2006

         2005

       
     (millions of shares)  

Common stock

                                                    

Issued

                                                    

At beginning of year

          8,019               8,019              8,019          

Issued

          —                 —                —            
         


         


        


       

At end of year

          8,019               8,019              8,019          
         


         


        


       

Held in treasury

                                                    

At beginning of year

          (2,290 )             (1,886 )            (1,618 )        

Acquisitions

          (386 )             (451 )            (311 )        

Dispositions

          39               47              43          
         


         


        


       

At end of year

          (2,637 )             (2,290 )            (1,886 )        
         


         


        


       

Common shares outstanding at end of year

          5,382               5,729              6,133          
         


         


        


       

 

(1) Includes pre-FAS 158 adoption change in minimum pension liability.

The information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.

 

52


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Index to Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Note
Reference
Number


   2007

    2006

    2005

 
          (millions of dollars)  

Cash flows from operating activities

                             

Net income

                             

Accruing to ExxonMobil shareholders

        $ 40,610     $ 39,500     $ 36,130  

Accruing to minority and preferred interests

          1,005       1,051       799  

Adjustments for noncash transactions

                             

Depreciation and depletion

          12,250       11,416       10,253  

Deferred income tax charges/(credits)

          124       1,717       (429 )

Postretirement benefits expense in excess of/(less than) payments

          (1,314 )     (1,787 )     254  

Other long-term obligation provisions in excess of/(less than) payments

          1,065       (666 )     398  

Dividends received greater than/(less than) equity in current earnings of equity companies

          (714 )     (579 )     (734 )

Changes in operational working capital, excluding cash and debt

                             

Reduction/(increase) – Notes and accounts receivable

          (5,441 )     (181 )     (3,700 )

                                                       – Inventories

          72       (1,057 )     (434 )

                                                       – Prepaid taxes and expenses

          280       (385 )     (7 )

Increase/(reduction) – Accounts and other payables

          6,228       1,160       7,806  

Net (gain) on asset sales

   4      (2,217 )     (1,531 )     (1,980 )

All other items – net

          54       628       (218 )
         


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

        $ 52,002     $ 49,286     $ 48,138  
         


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities

                             

Additions to property, plant and equipment

        $ (15,387 )   $ (15,462 )   $ (13,839 )

Sales of subsidiaries, investments and property, plant and equipment

   4      4,204       3,080       6,036  

Decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents

   3,15      4,604       —         —    

Additional investments and advances

          (3,038 )     (2,604 )     (2,810 )

Collection of advances

          391       756       343  

Additions to marketable securities

          (646 )     —         —    

Sales of marketable securities

          144       —         —    
         


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

        $ (9,728 )   $ (14,230 )   $ (10,270 )
         


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities

                             

Additions to long-term debt

        $ 592     $ 318     $ 195  

Reductions in long-term debt

          (209 )     (33 )     (81 )

Additions to short-term debt

          1,211       334       377  

Reductions in short-term debt

          (809 )     (451 )     (687 )

Additions/(reductions) in debt with less than 90-day maturity

          (187 )     (95 )     (1,306 )

Cash dividends to ExxonMobil shareholders

          (7,621 )     (7,628 )     (7,185 )

Cash dividends to minority interests

          (289 )     (239 )     (293 )

Changes in minority interests and sales/(purchases) of affiliate stock

          (659 )     (493 )     (681 )

Tax benefits related to stock-based awards

          369       462       —    

Common stock acquired

          (31,822 )     (29,558 )     (18,221 )

Common stock sold

          1,079       1,173       941  
         


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

        $ (38,345 )   $ (36,210 )   $ (26,941 )
         


 


 


Effects of exchange rate changes on cash

        $ 1,808     $ 727     $ (787 )
         


 


 


Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

        $ 5,737     $ (427 )   $ 10,140  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

          28,244       28,671       18,531  
         


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

        $ 33,981     $ 28,244     $ 28,671  
         


 


 


The information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.

 

53


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and the supporting and supplemental material are the responsibility of the management of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

The Corporation’s principal business is energy, involving the worldwide exploration, production, transportation and sale of crude oil and natural gas (Upstream) and the manufacture, transportation and sale of petroleum products (Downstream). The Corporation is also a major worldwide manufacturer and marketer of petrochemicals (Chemical) and participates in electric power generation (Upstream).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Prior years’ data has been reclassified in certain cases to conform to the 2007 presentation basis.

1. Summary of Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of those subsidiaries owned directly or indirectly with more than 50 percent of the voting rights held by the Corporation and for which other shareholders do not possess the right to participate in significant management decisions. They also include the Corporation’s share of the undivided interest in certain upstream assets and liabilities.

Amounts representing the Corporation’s percentage interest in the underlying net assets of other subsidiaries and less-than-majority-owned companies in which a significant ownership percentage interest is held are included in “Investments, advances and long-term receivables”; the Corporation’s share of the net income of these companies is included in the Consolidated Statement of Income caption “Income from equity affiliates.” The Corporation’s share of the cumulative foreign exchange translation adjustment for equity method investments is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity. Evidence of loss in value that might indicate impairment of investments in companies accounted for on the equity method is assessed to determine if such evidence represents a loss in value of the Corporation’s investment that is other than temporary. Examples of key indicators include a history of operating losses, a negative earnings and cash flow outlook, significant downward revisions to oil and gas reserves, and the financial condition and prospects for the investee’s business segment or geographic region. If evidence of an other than temporary loss in fair value below carrying amount is determined, an impairment is recognized. In the absence of market prices for the investment, discounted cash flows are used to assess fair value.

Revenue Recognition. The Corporation generally sells crude oil, natural gas and petroleum and chemical products under short-term agreements at prevailing market prices. In some cases (e.g., natural gas), products may be sold under long-term agreements, with periodic price adjustments. In all cases, revenues are recognized when the products are delivered, which occurs when the customer has taken title and has assumed the risks and rewards of ownership, prices are fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Revenues from the production of natural gas properties in which the Corporation has an interest with other producers are recognized on the basis of the Corporation’s net working interest. Differences between actual production and net working interest volumes are not significant.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Corporation adopted the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) consensus on Issue No. 04-13, “Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty.” The EITF concluded that purchases and sales of inventory with the same counterparty that are entered into in contemplation of one another should be combined and recorded as exchanges measured at the book value of the item sold. In prior periods, the Corporation recorded certain crude oil, natural gas, petroleum product and chemical sales and purchases contemporaneously negotiated with the same counterparty as revenues and purchases. As a result of the EITF consensus, the Corporation’s accounts “Sales and other operating revenue,” “Crude oil and product purchases” and “Other taxes and duties” on the Consolidated Statement of Income were reduced prospectively from 2006 by associated amounts with no impact on net income. All operating segments were affected by this change, with the largest impact in the Downstream.

Sales-Based Taxes. The Corporation reports sales, excise and value-added taxes on sales transactions on a gross basis in the Consolidated Statement of Income (included in both revenues and costs). This gross reporting basis is footnoted on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Derivative Instruments. The Corporation makes limited use of derivative instruments. The Corporation does not engage in speculative derivative activities or derivative trading activities nor does it use derivatives with leveraged features. When the Corporation does enter into derivative transactions, it is to offset exposures associated with interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and hydrocarbon prices that arise from existing assets, liabilities and transactions.

The gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in income. In some cases, the Corporation designates derivatives as fair value hedges, in which case the gains and losses are offset in income by the gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged items.

 

54


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Inventories. Crude oil, products and merchandise inventories are carried at the lower of current market value or cost (generally determined under the last-in, first-out method – LIFO). Inventory costs include expenditures and other charges (including depreciation) directly and indirectly incurred in bringing the inventory to its existing condition and location. Selling expenses and general and administrative expenses are reported as period costs and excluded from inventory cost. Inventories of materials and supplies are valued at cost or less.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Depreciation, depletion and amortization, based on cost less estimated salvage value of the asset, are primarily determined under either the unit-of-production method or the straight-line method, which is based on estimated asset service life taking obsolescence into consideration. Maintenance and repairs, including planned major maintenance, are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized and the assets replaced are retired.

Interest costs incurred to finance expenditures during the construction phase of multiyear projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of acquiring the constructed assets. The project construction phase commences with the development of the detailed engineering design and ends when the constructed assets are ready for their intended use. Capitalized interest costs are included in property, plant and equipment and are depreciated over the service life of the related assets.

The Corporation uses the “successful efforts” method to account for its exploration and production activities. Under this method, costs are accumulated on a field-by-field basis with certain exploratory expenditures and exploratory dry holes being expensed as incurred. Costs of productive wells and development dry holes are capitalized and amortized on the unit-of-production method.

The Corporation carries as an asset exploratory well costs when the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and where the Corporation is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. Exploratory well costs not meeting these criteria are charged to expense.

Acquisition costs of proved properties are amortized using a unit-of-production method, computed on the basis of total proved oil and gas reserves. Significant unproved properties are assessed for impairment individually and valuation allowances against the capitalized costs are recorded based on the estimated economic chance of success and the length of time that the Corporation expects to hold the properties. The cost of properties that are not individually significant are aggregated by groups and amortized over the average holding period of the properties of the groups. The valuation allowances are reviewed at least annually. Other exploratory expenditures, including geophysical costs, other dry hole costs and annual lease rentals, are expensed as incurred.

Unit-of-production depreciation is applied to property, plant and equipment, including capitalized exploratory drilling and development costs, associated with productive depletable extractive properties in the Upstream segment. Unit-of-production rates are based on the amount of proved developed reserves of oil, gas and other minerals that are estimated to be recoverable from existing facilities using current operating methods. Additional oil and gas to be obtained through the application of improved recovery techniques is included when, or to the extent that, the requisite commercial-scale facilities have been installed and the required wells have been drilled.

Under the unit-of-production method, oil and gas volumes are considered produced once they have been measured through meters at custody transfer or sales transaction points at the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank.

Production costs are expensed as incurred. Production involves lifting the oil and gas to the surface and gathering, treating, field processing and field storage of the oil and gas. The production function normally terminates at the outlet valve on the lease or field production storage tank. Production costs are those incurred to operate and maintain the Corporation’s wells and related equipment and facilities. They become part of the cost of oil and gas produced. These costs, sometimes referred to as lifting costs, include such items as labor costs to operate the wells and related equipment; repair and maintenance costs on the wells and equipment; materials, supplies and energy costs required to operate the wells and related equipment; and administrative expenses related to the production activity.

Gains on sales of proved and unproved properties are only recognized when there is no uncertainty about the recovery of costs applicable to any interest retained or where there is no substantial obligation for future performance by the Corporation. Losses on properties sold are recognized when incurred or when the properties are held for sale and the fair value of the properties is less than the carrying value.

Proved oil and gas properties held and used by the Corporation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets.

        The Corporation estimates the future undiscounted cash flows of the affected properties to judge the recoverability of carrying amounts. Cash flows used in impairment evaluations are developed using annually updated corporate plan investment evaluation assumptions for crude oil commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. Annual volumes are based on individual field production profiles, which are also updated annually. Prices for natural gas and other products are based on corporate plan assumptions developed annually by major region and also for investment evaluation purposes. Cash flow estimates for impairment testing exclude derivative instruments.

        Impairment analyses are generally based on proved reserves. Where probable reserves exist, an appropriately risk-adjusted amount of these reserves may be included in the impairment evaluation. Impairments are measured by the amount the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

 

55


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Asset Retirement Obligations and Environmental Liabilities. The Corporation incurs retirement obligations for certain assets at the time they are installed. The fair values of these obligations are recorded as liabilities on a discounted basis. The costs associated with these liabilities are capitalized as part of the related assets and depreciated. Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the change in their present value.

Liabilities for environmental costs are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. These liabilities are not reduced by possible recoveries from third parties and projected cash expenditures are not discounted.

Foreign Currency Translation. The Corporation selects the functional reporting currency for its international subsidiaries based on the currency of the primary economic environment in which each subsidiary operates. Downstream and Chemical operations primarily use the local currency. However, the U.S. dollar is used in countries with a history of high inflation (primarily in Latin America) and Singapore, which predominantly sells into the U.S. dollar export market. Upstream operations which are relatively self-contained and integrated within a particular country, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway and continental Europe, use the local currency. Some Upstream operations, primarily in Asia, West Africa, Russia and the Middle East, use the U.S. dollar because they predominantly sell crude and natural gas production into U.S. dollar-denominated markets. For all operations, gains or losses from remeasuring foreign currency transactions into the functional currency are included in income.

Share-Based Payments. The Corporation awards share-based compensation to employees in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Compensation expense is measured by the market price of the restricted shares at the date of grant and is recognized in the income statement over the requisite service period of each award. See note 14, Incentive Program, for further details.

2. Accounting Change for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 2007, the Corporation adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN 48 is an interpretation of FASB Statement 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” and prescribes a comprehensive model for recognizing, measuring, presenting and disclosing in the financial statements uncertain tax positions that the Corporation has taken or expects to take in its income tax returns. Upon the adoption of FIN 48, the Corporation recognized a transition gain of $267 million in shareholders’ equity. The gain reflected the recognition of several refund claims, partly offset by increased liability reserves. FIN 48 also resulted in a reclassification of amounts previously reported net on the balance sheet. The balance sheet reclassifications resulted in a $2.4 billion increase to investments, advances and long-term receivables, a $1.0 billion decrease to current liabilities, primarily income taxes payable, and a $3.1 billion increase to other long-term obligations. See note 18, Income, Sales-Based and Other Taxes, for additional disclosures.

3. Miscellaneous Financial Information

Research and development costs totaled $814 million in 2007, $733 million in 2006 and $712 million in 2005.

Net income included aggregate foreign exchange transaction gains of $229 million and $278 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively, and losses of $138 million in 2005.

In 2007, 2006 and 2005, net income included gains of $327 million, $401 million and $215 million, respectively, attributable to the combined effects of LIFO inventory accumulations and draw-downs. The aggregate replacement cost of inventories was estimated to exceed their LIFO carrying values by $25.4 billion and $15.9 billion at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

Crude oil, products and merchandise as of year-end 2007 and 2006 consist of the following:

 

     2007

   2006

     (billions of dollars)

Petroleum products

   $ 3.8    $ 3.8

Crude oil

     2.6      2.8

Chemical products

     2.1      2.1

Gas/other

     0.4      0.3
    

  

Total

   $ 8.9    $ 9.0
    

  

The restriction on approximately $4.6 billion of cash and cash equivalents was released in 2007 following an Alabama Supreme Court judgment in ExxonMobil’s favor (see note 15).