UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

______________


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 29, 2008

HESS CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

No. 1-1204

No. 13-4921002

(State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York   10036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:  (212) 997-8500

N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



1

Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.  

          On October 29, 2008, Hess Corporation issued a news release reporting its results for the third quarter of 2008.  A copy of this news release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99(1) and is hereby incorporated by reference. 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.  

(c) Exhibits
 
99(1) News release dated October 29, 2008 reporting results for the third quarter of 2008.
2

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 29, 2008

   

HESS CORPORATION

 

 

By:

/s/ John P. Rielly

Name:

John P. Rielly

Title:

Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

3

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.

Description

 

99(1)

News release dated October 29, 2008 reporting results for the third quarter of 2008.

4

Exhibit 99(1)

Hess Reports Estimated Results for the Third Quarter of 2008

Third Quarter Highlights:

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 29, 2008--Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) reported net income of $775 million for the third quarter of 2008 compared with net income of $395 million for the third quarter of 2007. The after-tax results by major operating activity were as follows:

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended

September 30, (unaudited)

September 30, (unaudited)

2008   2007 2008   2007
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Exploration and Production $ 699 $ 414 $ 2,548 $ 1,259
Marketing and Refining 161 46 125 269
Corporate (42 ) (28 ) (114 ) (91 )
Interest expense   (43 )   (37 )   (125 )   (115 )
 
Net income $ 775   $ 395   $ 2,434   $ 1,322  
 
Net income per share (diluted) $ 2.37   $ 1.23   $ 7.47   $ 4.15  
 
Weighted average number of shares (diluted)   327.4     319.9     325.7     318.6  

Note: See the following page for a table of items affecting the comparability of earnings between periods.

Exploration and Production earnings were $699 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $414 million in the third quarter of 2007. The Corporation’s oil and gas production, on a barrel-of-oil equivalent basis, increased to 361,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of 2008 from 357,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of the prior year. In the third quarter of 2008, the Corporation’s average worldwide crude oil selling price, including the effect of hedging, improved to $93.36 per barrel from $65.26 per barrel in the third quarter of 2007. The Corporation’s average worldwide natural gas selling price, including the effect of hedging, was $7.60 per Mcf in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $5.38 per Mcf in the third quarter of the prior year.


Marketing and Refining earnings were $161 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $46 million in the third quarter of 2007, primarily reflecting higher margins. Refining earnings increased to $46 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $25 million in the third quarter of the prior year. Marketing earnings were $110 million in the third quarter of 2008 up from $21 million in the third quarter of 2007. Trading operations generated income of $5 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with breakeven results in the same quarter of 2007.

The following table reflects the total after-tax impact of items affecting comparability of earnings between periods (in millions):

  Three Months Ended  

 Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

  2008

 

 2007 

  2008

 

 2007 

Exploration and Production $

 -

$

(33

) $

 -

$ (18 )
Marketing and Refining - - - -
Corporate   -     -     -     -  
$ -   $ (33 ) $ -   $ (18 )

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,205 million in the third quarter of 2008 compared with $863 million in the third quarter of 2007. Capital and exploratory expenditures for the third quarter of 2008 amounted to $1,368 million, of which $1,338 million related to Exploration and Production operations. Capital and exploratory expenditures for the third quarter of 2007 amounted to $838 million, of which $800 million related to Exploration and Production operations.

At September 30, 2008, cash and cash equivalents totaled $1,380 million compared with $607 million at December 31, 2007. Total debt was $3,932 million at September 30, 2008 and $3,980 million at December 31, 2007. The Corporation’s debt to capitalization ratio at September 30, 2008 was 24.3 percent compared with 28.9 percent at the end of 2007.

Hess Corporation will review third quarter financial and operating results and other matters on a webcast at 10 a.m. today. For details on the event, refer to the Investor Relations section of our website at www.hess.com.

Hess Corporation, with headquarters in New York, is a leading global independent energy company engaged in the exploration for and production of crude oil and natural gas, as well as in refining and marketing refined petroleum products, natural gas and electricity. More information on Hess Corporation is available at www.hess.com.

 
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, uncertainties inherent in the measurement and interpretation of geological, geophysical and other technical data.

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

     
Third Third Second
Quarter Quarter Quarter
2008 2007 2008

Income Statement

Revenues and Non-operating Income
Sales (excluding excise taxes) and other operating revenues $ 11,398 $ 7,451 $ 11,717
Equity in income (loss) of HOVENSA L.L.C. 52 19 (19 )
Other, net   (62 )   34   37  
 

Total revenues and non-operating income

  11,388     7,504   11,735  
 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold (excluding items shown separately below) 8,165 5,322 8,354
Production expenses 503 394 494
Marketing expenses 266 238 267

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

157 131 158
Other operating expenses 62 45 47
General and administrative expenses 170 133 156
Interest expense 68 59 65
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   497     365   482  
 
Total costs and expenses   9,888     6,687   10,023  
 
Income before income taxes 1,500 817 1,712
Provision for income taxes   725     422   812  
 
Net income $ 775   $ 395 $ 900  
 

Supplemental Income Statement Information

Foreign currency gains (losses), after-tax $ (10 ) $ 1 $ 1
Capitalized interest 2 18 1
 

Cash Flow Information

Net cash provided by operating activities (*)

$ 1,205 $ 863 $ 1,691
 

Capital and Exploratory Expenditures

Exploration and Production
United States $ 509 $ 270 $ 721
International   829     530   484  
 
Total Exploration and Production 1,338 800 1,205
Marketing, Refining and Corporate   30     38   35  
 
Total Capital and Exploratory Expenditures $ 1,368   $ 838 $ 1,240  
 
Exploration expenses charged to income included above
United States $ 56 $ 67 $ 44
International   35     36   40  
 
$ 91   $ 103 $ 84  
 
(*) Includes changes in working capital

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

   
Nine Months
2008 2007

Income Statement

Revenues and Non-operating Income
Sales (excluding excise taxes) and other operating revenues $ 33,782 $ 22,191
Equity in income of HOVENSA L.L.C. 23 156
Gain on asset sales - 21
Other, net   38   56  
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   33,843   22,424  
 
Costs and Expenses

Cost of products sold (excluding items shown separately below)             

24,237 15,922
Production expenses 1,421 1,118
Marketing expenses 766 701

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

467 314
Other operating expenses 154 115
General and administrative expenses 478 406
Interest expense 200 185
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   1,431   1,046  
 
Total costs and expenses   29,154   19,807  
 
Income before income taxes 4,689 2,617
Provision for income taxes   2,255   1,295  
 
Net income $ 2,434 $ 1,322  
 

Supplemental Income Statement Information

Foreign currency gains (losses), after-tax $ 2 $ (10 )
Capitalized interest 4 49
 

Cash Flow Information

Net cash provided by operating activities (*) $ 4,072 $ 2,701
 

Capital and Exploratory Expenditures

Exploration and Production
United States $ 1,645 $ 1,312
International   1,836   1,606  
 
Total Exploration and Production 3,481 2,918
Marketing, Refining and Corporate   97   94  
 
Total Capital and Exploratory Expenditures $ 3,578 $ 3,012  
 
Exploration expenses charged to income included above
United States $ 162 $ 149
International   134   90  
 
$ 296 $ 239  
 
(*) Includes changes in working capital

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

   

September 30, December 31,
2008 2007

Balance Sheet Information

 
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,380 $ 607
Other current assets 6,786 6,319
Investments 1,108 1,117
Property, plant and equipment – net 16,656 14,634
Other long-term assets   3,648     3,454  
Total assets $ 29,578   $ 26,131  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 39 $ 62
Other current liabilities 8,721 7,962
Long-term debt 3,893 3,918
Other long-term liabilities 4,694 4,415

Stockholders' equity excluding other comprehensive income (loss)  

14,149 11,615

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  (1,918 )   (1,841 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 29,578   $ 26,131  

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 
Third Quarter 2008
United    
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 460 $ 2,201 $ 2,661
Non-operating income (expenses)   (1 )   (70 )   (71 )
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   459     2,131     2,590  
 
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 96 407 503

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

82 75 157
General, administrative and other expenses 41 43 84
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   59     420     479  
 
Total costs and expenses   278     945     1,223  
 
Results of operations before income taxes 181 1,186 1,367
Provision for income taxes   71     597     668  
 
Results of operations $ 110   $ 589   $ 699  
 
Third Quarter 2007
United
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 296 $ 1,451 $ 1,747
Non-operating income (expenses)   1     29     30  
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   297     1,480     1,777  
 
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 80 314 394

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

79 52 131
General, administrative and other expenses 27 37 64
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   48     297     345  
 
Total costs and expenses   234     700     934  
 
Results of operations before income taxes 63 780 843
Provision for income taxes   25     404     429  
 
Results of operations $ 38   $ 376   $ 414  
 
Second Quarter 2008
United
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 545 $ 2,530 $ 3,075
Non-operating income (expenses)   -     22     22  
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   545     2,552     3,097  
 
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 101 393 494

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

62 96 158
General, administrative and other expenses 36 37 73
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   61     401     462  
 
Total costs and expenses   260     927     1,187  
 
Results of operations before income taxes 285 1,625 1,910
Provision for income taxes   108     777     885  
 
Results of operations $ 177   $ 848   $ 1,025  

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 
Nine Months 2008
United    
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 1,453 $ 6,890 $ 8,343
Non-operating income (expenses)   9   (11 )   (2 )
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   1,462   6,879     8,341  
 
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 267 1,154 1,421

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

227 240 467
General, administrative and other expenses 109 111 220
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   175   1,200     1,375  
 
Total costs and expenses   778   2,705     3,483  
 
Results of operations before income taxes 684 4,174 4,858
Provision for income taxes   263   2,047     2,310  
 
Results of operations $ 421 $ 2,127   $ 2,548  
 
Nine Months 2007
United
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 810 $ 4,250 $ 5,060
Non-operating income (expenses)   9   43     52  
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   819   4,293     5,112  
 
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 209 909 1,118

Exploration expenses, including dry holes and lease impairment

180 134 314
General, administrative and other expenses 94 89 183
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   129   862     991  
 
Total costs and expenses   612   1,994     2,606  
 
Results of operations before income taxes 207 2,299 2,506
Provision for income taxes   81   1,166     1,247  
 
Results of operations $ 126 $ 1,133   $ 1,259  

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

 

  Third   Third   Second
Quarter Quarter Quarter
2008 2007 2008

Operating Data

Net Production Per Day (in thousands)

Crude oil - barrels
United States 31 31 36
Europe 80 83 83
Africa 121 123 128
Asia and other   12   20   12
Total   244   257   259
 
Natural gas liquids - barrels
United States 9 11 11
Europe   4   3   4

Total

  13   14   15
 
Natural gas - mcf
United States 76 87 83
Europe 216 188 267
Asia and other   333   241   364
Total   625   516   714
Barrels of oil equivalent   361   357   393
 

Average Selling Price

Crude oil - per barrel (including hedging)
United States $ 116.14 $ 73.20 $ 120.23
Europe 83.23 62.06 104.98
Africa 91.72 64.38 97.32
Asia and other 105.58 70.69 120.59
Worldwide 93.36 65.26 104.29
 
Crude oil - per barrel (excluding hedging)
United States $ 116.14 $ 73.20 $ 120.23
Europe 83.23 62.06 104.98
Africa 108.49 73.49 117.49
Asia and other 105.58 70.69 120.59
Worldwide 102.80 69.85 113.79
 
Natural gas liquids - per barrel
United States $ 77.50 $ 51.27 $ 76.60
Europe 81.84 48.44 92.67
Worldwide 78.50 50.58 81.52
 
Natural gas - per mcf (including hedging)
United States $ 8.57 $ 5.80 $ 11.00
Europe 10.12 6.09 10.33
Asia and other 5.77 4.69 5.23
Worldwide 7.60 5.38 7.81
 
Natural gas - per mcf (excluding hedging)
United States $ 8.57 $ 5.80 $ 11.00
Europe 10.84 6.09 10.84
Asia and other 5.77 4.69 5.23
Worldwide 7.85 5.38 8.01

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Nine Months
2008   2007

Operating Data

Net Production Per Day (in thousands)

Crude oil - barrels
United States 34 31
Europe 82 96
Africa 123 112
Asia and other   14   20
Total   253   259
 
Natural gas liquids - barrels
United States 10 10
Europe   4   5
Total   14   15
 
Natural gas - mcf
United States 84 87
Europe 260 249
Asia and other   346   254
Total   690   590
Barrels of oil equivalent   382   372
 

Average Selling Price

Crude oil - per barrel (including hedging)
United States $ 109.39 $ 62.88
Europe 90.69 56.95
Africa 89.66 57.72
Asia and other 106.09 66.59
Worldwide 93.62 58.82
 
Crude oil - per barrel (excluding hedging)
United States $ 109.39 $ 62.88
Europe 90.69 56.95
Africa 106.91 66.47
Asia and other 106.09 66.59
Worldwide 102.03 62.66
 
Natural gas liquids - per barrel
United States $ 72.79 $ 47.43
Europe 84.77 51.55
Worldwide 75.96 48.83
 
Natural gas - per mcf (including hedging)
United States $ 9.35 $ 6.75
Europe 9.75 5.03
Asia and other 5.33 4.55
Worldwide 7.48 5.08
 
Natural gas - per mcf (excluding hedging)
United States $ 9.35 $ 6.75
Europe 10.16 5.03
Asia and other 5.33 4.55
Worldwide 7.64 5.08

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL HEDGING INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of the Corporation’s outstanding Brent crude oil hedges at September 30, 2008:

       
Average
Selling
Price
Thousands
of Barrels
per Day
Maturities
2008

$ 25.56

24
2009

  25.54

24
2010

  25.78

24
2011

  26.37

24
2012

  26.90

24

The after-tax losses from crude oil and natural gas hedges were $138 million in the third quarter of 2008 and $60 million in the third quarter of 2007. The after-tax losses from crude oil and natural gas hedges were $377 million for the nine months of 2008 compared with $155 million for the nine months of 2007. At September 30, 2008, the after-tax deferred losses related to crude oil and natural gas hedges that were included in accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $1.7 billion.

In October 2008, the Corporation closed its Brent crude oil hedge positions by entering into offsetting contracts covering 24,000 barrels per day from 2009 through 2012 at a per barrel price of $86.95 each year. The fourth quarter 2008 hedges were not affected by these transactions and are still open. The deferred after-tax loss as of the date the positions were closed will be recorded in earnings as the contracts mature.


HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

MARKETING AND REFINING SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

     
Third Third Second
Quarter Quarter Quarter
2008 2007 2008

Financial Information (in millions of dollars)

 

Marketing and Refining Results

Income (loss) before income taxes $ 262 $ 75 $ (85 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   101     29     (33 )
Marketing and Refining Earnings (Loss) $ 161   $ 46   $ (52 )
 

Summary of Marketing and Refining Results

Refining $ 46 $ 25 $ 3
Marketing 110 21 (40 )
Trading   5     -     (15 )
Total Marketing and Refining Earnings (Loss) $ 161   $ 46   $ (52 )
             
 

Operating Data (barrels and gallons in thousands)

 

Refined Product Sales (barrels per day)

Gasoline 249 216 236
Distillates 122 134 129
Residuals 46 45 49
Other   43     42     40  
Total   460     437     454  
 

Refinery Throughput (barrels per day)

HOVENSA - Crude runs 457 459 471
HOVENSA - Hess 50% share 228 230 235
Port Reading 65 61 64
 

Refinery Utilization

 

Refinery Capacity

HOVENSA (barrels per day)
Crude

500

91.3 % 91.9 % 94.2 %
FCC

150

72.8 % 82.4 % 73.1 %
Coker

58

105.4 % 92.6 % 99.5 %
Port Reading

70(c)

92.4 % 93.8 % 91.3 %
 

Retail Marketing

Number of retail stations (a) 1,357 1,362 1,363
Convenience store revenue (in millions of dollars) (b) $ 279 $ 279 $ 275
Average gasoline volume per station (gallons per month) (b) 215 232 218

 

(a) Includes company operated, Wilco-Hess, dealer and branded retailer.
(b) Company operated only.
(c) Refinery utilization in 2007 is based on capacity of 65 thousand barrels per day.

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

MARKETING AND REFINING SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

   
Nine Months
2008 2007

Financial Information (in millions of dollars)

 

Marketing and Refining Results

Income before income taxes $ 198 $ 430
Provision for income taxes   73     161  
Marketing and Refining Earnings (Loss) $ 125   $ 269  
 

Summary of Marketing and Refining Results

Refining $ 46 $ 166
Marketing 102 64
Trading   (23 )   39  
Total Marketing and Refining Earnings (Loss) $ 125   $ 269  
         
 

Operating Data (barrels and gallons in thousands)

 

Refined Product Sales (barrels per day)

Gasoline 236 212
Distillates 140 142
Residuals 54 63
Other   40     30  
Total   470     447  
 

Refinery Throughput (barrels per day)

HOVENSA - Crude runs 458 442
HOVENSA - Hess 50% share 229 221
Port Reading 63 60
 

Refinery Utilization

 

Refinery Capacity

 
HOVENSA (barrels per day)
Crude

500

91.5 % 88.4 %
FCC

150

73.4 % 87.8 %
Coker

58

98.8 % 78.1 %
Port Reading

70(c)

90.3 % 92.2 %
 

Retail Marketing

Number of retail stations (a) 1,357 1,362
Convenience store revenue (in millions of dollars) (b) $ 793 $ 796
Average gasoline volume per station (gallons per month) (b) 210 217

 

(a) Includes company operated, Wilco-Hess, dealer and branded retailer.
(b) Company operated only.
(c) Refinery utilization in 2007 is based on capacity of 65 thousand barrels per day.

CONTACT:
Hess Corporation
Investor:
Jay Wilson, 212-536-8940
or
Media:
Jon Pepper, 212-536-8550