IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM):

EXXONMOBIL'S CHAIRMAN REX W. TILLERSON COMMENTED:

"Global economic conditions continue to impact the energy industry both in the volatility of commodity prices and reduced demand for products. In spite of these challenges, ExxonMobil achieved solid results. We continued our capital investment program at near record levels while returning over $16 billion to our shareholders during the first half of the year.

"ExxonMobil’s second quarter 2009 earnings excluding special items were $4.1 billion, down 66% from the second quarter of 2008. Earnings per share excluding special items were down 63% reflecting lower earnings and the benefit of the share purchase program. Earnings for the second quarter of 2009 were $4.0 billion, down 66% from last year, and included a special charge of $140 million for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Second quarter 2008 earnings included a charge of $290 million related to the Valdez punitive damages award.

"First half earnings excluding special items decreased 62% compared to the first half of 2008 reflecting lower crude oil and natural gas realizations. Earnings for the first half of 2009 were also down 62% versus 2008.

"ExxonMobil continued its robust capital investment program. For the first half of 2009, spending on capital and exploration projects was $12.3 billion, in line with our longer term plan.

"The Corporation distributed a total of $7.0 billion to shareholders in the second quarter, through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding."

SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Earnings excluding special items were $4,090 million, a decrease of 66% or $7,880 million from the second quarter of 2008.
• Earnings per share excluding special items were $0.84, a decrease of 63%.
• Earnings were down 66% from the second quarter of 2008. Earnings for the second quarter of 2009 included a special charge of $140 million for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Earnings for the second quarter of 2008 included a charge of $290 million related to the Valdez punitive damages award.
• Capital and exploration expenditures were $6.6 billion, down 6% from the second quarter of 2008, mainly due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.
• The effective income tax rate increased to 50% from 49%.
• Oil-equivalent production decreased about 3% from the second quarter of 2008. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was down about 2.5%.
• Cash flow from operations and asset sales was approximately $3.0 billion, including asset sales of $0.8 billion.
• Share purchases of $5.0 billion reduced shares outstanding by 1.5%.
• Qatargas 2 Train 4, the first of two LNG trains associated with this project, commenced full scale production. With an annual output of 7.8 million tons per year, it is the largest LNG production train in service in the world.
• Start up of the Piceance Phase 1 project in western Colorado was achieved. The new facilities have the capacity to process up to 200 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Production has ramped up to over 80 million cubic feet per day and is expected to continue to increase in the second half of the year.
• ExxonMobil’s joint venture in Fujian Province, China, announced the start up of the 160-thousand-barrel-per-day crude and vacuum distillation units in the new integrated refining and petrochemical complex.

Second Quarter 2009 vs. Second Quarter 2008

Upstream earnings were $3,812 million, down $6,200 million from the second quarter of 2008. Lower crude oil and natural gas realizations accounted for the decline, reducing earnings approximately $6.1 billion.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased about 3% from the second quarter of 2008. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was down about 2.5%.

Liquids production totaled 2,347 kbd (thousands of barrels per day), down 44 kbd from the second quarter of 2008. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, liquids production was flat, as field decline was offset by increased production from projects in the United States and west Africa, and lower maintenance activity.

Second quarter natural gas production was 8,013 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day), down 476 mcfd from 2008. New production volumes from project additions in Qatar, the United States and the North Sea were more than offset by field decline and lower European demand.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations were $813 million, $1,221 million lower than the second quarter of 2008. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were $2,999 million, down $4,979 million from last year.

Downstream earnings of $512 million were down $1,046 million from the second quarter of 2008. Lower margins drove the decline, reducing earnings approximately $1.0 billion, as weaker refining margins more than offset stronger marketing margins. Petroleum product sales of 6,487 kbd were 288 kbd lower than last year's second quarter, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.

The U.S. Downstream recorded a loss of $15 million, down $308 million from the second quarter of 2008. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $527 million were $738 million lower than last year.

Chemical earnings of $367 million were $320 million lower than the second quarter of 2008. Lower volumes reduced earnings approximately $150 million, while weaker margins decreased earnings by about $100 million. Hurricane repair costs and unfavorable foreign exchange effects also reduced earnings. Second quarter prime product sales of 6,267 kt (thousands of metric tons) were 451 kt lower than the prior year primarily due to weaker demand.

Corporate and financing expenses excluding special items were $601 million, up $314 million due mainly to lower interest income.

During the second quarter of 2009, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 75 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $5.2 billion. These purchases included $5.0 billion to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to offset shares issued in conjunction with the company's benefit plans and programs. Shares outstanding were reduced from 4,880 million at the end of the first quarter to 4,806 million at the end of the second quarter. Share purchases to reduce shares outstanding are currently anticipated to equal $4.0 billion in the third quarter of 2009. Purchases may be made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions, and may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

First Half 2009 vs. First Half 2008

Earnings of $8,500 million ($1.73 per share) decreased $14,070 million from 2008. Earnings for 2009 included a special charge of $140 million for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Earnings for 2008 included a charge of $290 million related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Excluding these impacts, 2009 earnings decreased by $14,220 million.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS

• Earnings excluding special items were $8,640 million, down 62%.
• Earnings per share excluding special items decreased 59% to $1.76, reflecting lower earnings and the continued reduction in the number of shares outstanding.
• Earnings were down 62% from 2008. Earnings for 2009 included a special charge of $140 million for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Earnings for 2008 included a charge of $290 million related to the Valdez punitive damages award.
• Oil equivalent production decreased less than 2% from 2008. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was flat.
• Cash flow from operations and asset sales was approximately $12.0 billion, including $0.9 billion from asset sales.
• The Corporation distributed a total of $16.0 billion to shareholders in the first half of 2009 through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.
• Dividends per share of $0.82 increased 9%.
• Capital and exploration expenditures were $12.3 billion, down 1% versus 2008 due to the stronger U.S. dollar.

Upstream earnings were $7,315 million, down $11,482 million from 2008. Lower crude oil and natural gas realizations decreased earnings approximately $11.0 billion while higher operating costs reduced earnings about $600 million.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased less than 2% from last year. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was flat.

Liquids production of 2,411 kbd decreased 19 kbd from 2008. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was up over 1%, as new volumes from project additions in west Africa and the United States, and lower maintenance activity, were partly offset by field decline.

Natural gas production of 9,094 mcfd decreased 265 mcfd from 2008. Higher volumes from Qatar and North Sea projects were more than offset by field decline and lower European demand.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations for 2009 were $1,173 million, a decrease of $2,492 million. Earnings outside the U.S. were $6,142 million, $8,990 million lower than last year.

Downstream earnings of $1,645 million were $1,079 million lower than 2008. Weaker margins reduced earnings approximately $300 million. Lower volumes and refinery optimization associated with weaker demand reduced earnings about $500 million. Higher operating costs mainly associated with planned work activity also reduced earnings. Petroleum product sales of 6,461 kbd decreased from 6,798 kbd in 2008, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.

U.S. Downstream earnings were $337 million, down $354 million. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings were $1,308 million, $725 million lower than last year.

Chemical earnings of $717 million decreased $998 million from 2008. Lower volumes reduced earnings by approximately $450 million while lower margins reduced earnings about $350 million. Unfavorable foreign exchange effects and hurricane costs also decreased earnings. Prime product sales of 11,794 kt were down 1,502 kt from 2008.

Corporate and financing expenses excluding special items were $1,037 million, up $661 million mainly due to lower interest income.

Gross share purchases through the first half of 2009 were $13.1 billion, reducing shares outstanding by 3.4%.

Estimates of key financial and operating data follow.

ExxonMobil will discuss financial and operating results and other matters on a webcast at 10 a.m. Central time on July 30, 2009. To listen to the event live or in archive, go to our website at exxonmobil.com.

Cautionary statement

Statements in this release relating to future plans, projections, events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual results, including project plans, costs, timing, and capacities; capital and exploration expenditures; and share purchase levels, could differ materially due to factors including: changes in long-term oil or gas prices or other market or economic conditions affecting the oil and gas industry; completion of repair projects as planned; unforeseen technical difficulties; political events or disturbances; reservoir performance; the outcome of commercial negotiations; wars and acts of terrorism or sabotage; changes in technical or operating conditions; and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" on our website and in Item 1A of ExxonMobil's 2008 Form 10-K. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date. References to quantities of oil expected to be developed may include amounts not yet classified as proved reserves but that we believe will ultimately be produced.

Frequently used terms

Consistent with previous practice, this press release includes both earnings excluding special items and earnings per share excluding special items. Both are non-GAAP financial measures and are included to help facilitate comparisons of base business performance across periods. A reconciliation to net income attributable to ExxonMobil is shown in Attachment II. The release also includes cash flow from operations and asset sales. Because of the regular nature of our asset management and divestment program, 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. A reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities is shown in Attachment II. Further information on ExxonMobil's frequently used financial and operating measures and other terms is contained under the heading "Frequently Used Terms" available through the Investors section of our website at exxonmobil.com.

Accounting standards adopted in first quarter 2009

Effective January 1, 2009, ExxonMobil adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement No. 160 (FAS 160), “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51”. FAS 160 changed the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which were recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and classified as a component of equity. FAS 160 required retrospective adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements of FAS 160 will be applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 160 did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial statements.

References to total corporate earnings mean net income attributable to ExxonMobil (U.S. GAAP) from the income statement. Unless otherwise indicated, references to earnings, special items, earnings excluding special items, Upstream, Downstream, Chemical and Corporate and Financing segment earnings, and earnings per share are ExxonMobil's share after excluding amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Effective January 1, 2009, ExxonMobil adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Staff Position (FSP) on the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities”. The FSP required that all unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends should be included in the basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) calculation. Prior-year EPS numbers have been adjusted retrospectively on a consistent basis with 2009 reporting. This standard did not affect the consolidated financial position or results of operations.