Marathon Oil Corporation Provides Third Quarter 2007 Interim Update

[Anonymous]

HOUSTON, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) today is providing information on market factors and operating conditions which occurred during the third quarter of 2007 that could impact the Company’s quarterly financial results. The market indicators and Company estimates noted below and in the attached table may differ significantly from actual results. The Company will report third quarter results Nov. 1, 2007, and conduct a conference call and webcast that same day. Details of the earnings conference call and webcast are noted at the end of this release.
Exploration and Production
Production sold during the third quarter is estimated to be approximately 367,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Revenues are reported based on production sold during the period which can vary from production available for sale primarily as a result of the timing of international crude oil liftings and natural gas sales. Oil and natural gas production available for sale during the third quarter is expected to be approximately 371,000 boepd, within the previously provided third quarter guidance of 355,000 to 375,000 boepd.
As shown in the attached table, Marathon’s average liquid hydrocarbon realization for the first two months of the third quarter, as compared to the second quarter of 2007, increased $7.55 per barrel domestically and $9.23 per barrel internationally, reflecting the general market price movements during the first two months of the quarter as well as the timing of liftings. For the entire third quarter of 2007, the average West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil market price indicator was $10.13 per barrel higher than the second quarter of 2007 while the average Dated Brent indicator increased $5.98 per barrel.
Marathon’s domestic average natural gas price realization for July and August decreased $0.78 per thousand cubic feet over the Company’s average realized price in the second quarter of 2007. The average Henry Hub (HH) prompt natural gas price for the third quarter decreased $1.37 per million British Thermal Units (BTUs), while the average HH bid week natural gas price decreased $1.39 per million BTUs during this same period. The decrease in Marathon’s domestic average realized price as compared to the market indicators for the first two months of the third quarter reflects regional pricing differentials to HH as well as the influence of Alaskan natural gas pricing. Marathon’s average international natural gas realization during the first two months of the third quarter was essentially flat when compared to the average second quarter 2007 natural gas realization.
Marathon’s actual crude oil and natural gas price realizations vary from market indicators primarily due to product quality and location differentials.
Third quarter exploration expense is now estimated to be between $90 and $110 million, slightly lower than the Company’s previous guidance. U.S. exploration expense is estimated to be between $50 and $55 million, while international exploration expense is estimated to be $40 to $55 million.
Refining, Marketing and Transportation
The Company currently projects refined products sales volume will average approximately 1,435,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the third quarter of 2007.
The Company projects its third quarter 2007 refining and wholesale marketing gross margin will be about half the $0.3271 per gallon earned in the same quarter last year. The primary reason for the quarter to quarter reduction is the significant change in crude oil prices during these periods. For example, Light Louisiana Sweet (LLS) declined $12.07 per barrel during the third quarter of 2006 but increased $6.28 per barrel in the third quarter of 2007. As a result, the Company’s cost of crude oil and other feedstocks was relatively higher than what the quarter to quarter change in average LLS prices would indicate. In addition, the Company’s third quarter 2007 increase in its average wholesale sales price realization over the same quarter last year was less than the average spot market price increase for the products that are used in the LLS-based market indicators. The narrowing of the sweet- sour market differential in the third quarter of 2007 versus the same quarter last year also increased the cost of sour crudes that the Company refined during the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same quarter last year. Therefore, while the LLS-based market indicators for refining margins were stronger in the third quarter of 2007 in the Midwest and Gulf Coast compared to the same quarter last year, the Company projects its refining and wholesale marketing gross margin will be lower.
Crude oil refined averaged 1,069,000 bpd during July and August 2007 and is expected to be approximately 1,040,000 bpd for the entire third quarter of 2007. Total refinery throughput averaged 1,279,000 bpd during July and August 2007 and is expected to be approximately 1,240,000 bpd for the entire third quarter of 2007.
Speedway SuperAmerica LLC’s gasoline and distillate gross margin averaged $0.1045 per gallon during July and August 2007 and is expected to average approximately $0.1090 per gallon for the third quarter of 2007.
In addition to the above, the Company expects all other expenses to be slightly higher than in the same quarter last year.
Integrated Gas
Marathon’s Equatorial Guinea and Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operations combined are estimated to have sold 6,180 net metric tonnes per day (mtpd) of LNG in the third quarter of 2007, slightly more than previous guidance. The Company also estimates it sold 1,420 net mtpd of methanol from the Ampco Methanol Plant in Equatorial Guinea, also higher than guidance.
Unallocated Administrative Expense and Other Information
Total pre-tax unallocated administrative expense for the quarter is estimated to be $80 to $90 million.
The overall corporate effective income tax rate, excluding special items, is expected to be approximately 44 to 46 percent. The effective income tax rate for the Refining, Marketing and Transportation segment is expected to be approximately 36 to 37 percent, while the Exploration and Production segment is expected to have a third quarter effective income tax rate of approximately 54 to 56 percent.
Since January 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $5.0 billion of Marathon’s common stock. To date, the Company has repurchased approximately $2.5 billion in Marathon shares.
Earnings Release Date and Conference Call Information
Marathon will report its third quarter 2007 results on Nov. 1, 2007. The Company will also conduct a conference call and webcast that same day at 2 p.m. EDT. The call will cover third quarter 2007 financial results and may include forward-looking information. Interested parties can listen to this call and view associated slides by accessing the Marathon Oil Corporation Web site at http://www.Marathon.com and clicking on the Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results Conference Call link. Replays of the conference call will be available on the Web site through Nov. 15, 2007. Financial information, including earnings releases and other investor-related material, is also available online.
This release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the estimated levels of the Company’s worldwide liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas production and domestic natural gas realizations, estimated exploration expenses, integrated gas segment income, refined products sales volume, refining and wholesale marketing gross margin, crude oil and total refinery throughputs, Speedway SuperAmerica LLC gasoline and distillate gross margin, administrative expenses, and corporate and segment effective income tax rates. These are preliminary estimates and are therefore subject to change. This release also contains forward-looking statements with respect to the common stock repurchase program, which may be affected by changes in prices of and demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined products, actions of competitors, disruptions or interruptions of our production or refining operations due to unforeseen hazards such as weather conditions, acts of war or terrorist acts and the governmental or military response, and other operating and economic considerations. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and other forward-looking statements contained in this update. In accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Marathon Oil Corporation has included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and subsequent Form 10-Q and 8-K filings, cautionary language identifying other important factors, though not necessarily all such factors, that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Media Relations Contacts: Lee Warren 713-296-4103
Scott Scheffler 713-296-4102

Investor Relations Contacts: Ken Matheny 713-296-4114
Howard Thill 713-296-4140
Michol Ecklund 713-296-3919

Select Operating and Financial Data (unaudited)

3Q 2Q July.-Aug. 3Q
2006 2007 2007 2007
Actual Actual Actual Actual
Exploration and Production
Net Sales (1)
Domestic – Liquid
Hydrocarbons (MBPD) 72 65 64 —
Domestic – Natural Gas (MMCFD) 522 460 454 —
International – Liquid
Hydrocarbons (MBPD) 170 134 140 —
International – Natural
Gas (MMCFD) (2) 197 374 562 —
MBOED(1) 362 338 373 —

Market Prices
NYMEX prompt WTI oil
price ($/BBL) 70.54 65.02 73.21 75.15
Dated Brent oil price ($/BBL) 69.60 68.76 73.80 74.74
HH prompt natural gas ($/MMBTU) 6.09 7.54 6.25 6.17
HH bid week natural gas
price ($/MMBTU) 6.58 7.55 6.52 6.16

Average Realizations(3)
Liquid Hydrocarbons:
Domestic ($/BBL) 60.37 55.19 62.74 —
International ($/BBL) 64.07 61.02 70.25 —
Natural Gas:
Domestic ($/MCF) 5.62 6.16 5.38 —
International ($/MCF) 4.10 2.27 2.32 —

Refining, Marketing and
Transportation
LLS Chicago 6-3-2-1 crack
spread ($/BBL)
7.77 16.61 11.08 10.51
LLS Gulf Coast 6-3-2-1 crack
spread ($/BBL) 5.91 13.20 6.09 6.01
LLS Chicago 3-2-1 crack
spread ($/BBL) 13.91 24.68 17.48 16.77
LLS Gulf Coast 3-2-1 crack
spread ($/BBL) 11.64 20.37 11.27 11.22

LLS-WTI differential ($/BBL) 1.42 5.63 2.63 1.85

LLS Sweet/sour differential(4)
($/BBL) (11.66) (13.08) (9.85) (9.77)
Refinery Runs:
Crude oil refined (MBPD)
1,031 1,072 1,069 —
Other charge & blend stocks
(MBPD) 218 208 210 —
Total (MBPD) 1,249 1,280 1,279 —
Crude oil capacity utilization
(%) 106 110 110 —
Refined products sales volumes
(MBPD) (5) 1,434 1,426 1,459 —
Refining & wholesale marketing
gross margin ($/gal) (6) 0.3271 0.3925 — —
SSA gasoline and distillate
sales (MMGal) 867 828 613 —

SSA gasoline and distillate
gross margin ($/gal) 0.1410 0.1029 $0.1045 —
SSA merchandise gross margin
($million) 178 182 130 —

Integrated Gas
Net Sales
LNG (MTPD) 1,001 1,997 6,302 —
Methanol (MTPD) 613 1,107 1,448 —

BBL — barrel
MBPD — thousand barrels per day
MMCFD — million cubic feet per day
MMBTU — million British Thermal Units
MBOED — thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day
MCF — thousand cubic feet
MMGal — million gallons
MTPD — metric tonnes per day
(1) Amounts represent net sales after royalties, except for Ireland where
amounts are before royalties.
(2) Includes natural gas acquired for injection and subsequent resale.
(3) Excludes gains and losses on traditional derivative instruments and
the unrealized effects of long-term U.K. natural gas contracts that
are accounted for as derivatives.
(4) 15% Bow River, 15% Maya, 35% Kuwait, 35% Arab Medium.
(5) Total average daily volumes of all refined product sales to wholesale,
branded and retail (SSA) customers.
(6) Sales revenue less cost of refinery inputs, purchased products and
manufacturing expenses, including depreciation.

SOURCE Marathon Oil Corporation

CONTACT: Media Relations, Lee Warren, 713-296-4103, or Scott
Scheffler,713-296-4102, or Investor Relations, Ken Matheny,
713-296-4114, or Howard Thill, 713-296-4140, or Michol Ecklund,
713-296-3919, all of Marathon Oil Corporation

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