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 27, 2010

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))




Item 2.02     Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

          On October 27, 2010, Hess Corporation issued a news release reporting estimated results for the third quarter of 2010.  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 27, 2010 reporting estimated results for the third quarter of 2010.

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 27, 2010

 

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 27, 2010 reporting estimated results for the third quarter of 2010.


4

Exhibit 99(1)

Hess Reports Estimated Results for the Third Quarter of 2010

Third Quarter Highlights:

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 27, 2010--Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) reported net income of $1,154 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared with net income of $341 million for the third quarter of 2009. The after-tax income (loss) by major operating activity was as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30, (unaudited) September 30, (unaudited)
  2010       2009     2010       2009  
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Exploration and Production $ 1,277 $ 397 $ 2,316 $ 548
Marketing and Refining (38 ) 38 30 110
Corporate (26 ) (33 ) (116 ) (108 )
Interest expense   (59 )   (61 )   (163 )   (168 )
Net income attributable to Hess Corporation $ 1,154   $ 341   $ 2,067   $ 382  
 
Net income per share (diluted) $ 3.52   $ 1.05   $ 6.31   $ 1.17  
 
Weighted average number of shares (diluted)   327.6     326.0     327.3     325.8  

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


Exploration and Production earnings were $1,277 million in the third quarter of 2010 up from $397 million in the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter oil and gas production was 413,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, compared with 420,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the third quarter a year ago. The Corporation’s average worldwide crude oil selling price, including the effect of hedging, was $64.81 per barrel compared with $56.07 per barrel in the third quarter of 2009. The average worldwide natural gas selling price was $5.73 per Mcf in the third quarter of 2010 compared with $4.60 per Mcf in the same quarter a year ago.

Marketing and Refining generated a loss of $38 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with income of $38 million in the same period of 2009. Refining operations incurred losses of $50 million compared with $3 million in the third quarter a year ago as a result of lower refining margins. Marketing earnings were $40 million, an increase of $5 million from the third quarter of 2009. Trading activities generated a loss of $28 million, compared with income of $6 million in the third quarter of last year.

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

  Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

  2010       2009   2010     2009
Exploration and Production $ 725 $ 89 $ 783 $ 45
Marketing and Refining - 12 - 12
Corporate   -   -   (7 )   (16 )
$ 725 $ 101 $ 776 $ 41

Third quarter 2010 results included an after-tax gain of $1,072 million related to the exchange of the Corporation’s interests in Gabon and the Clair Field in the United Kingdom for a 28.1 percent interest in the Valhall Field and a 25.0 percent interest in the Hod Field, both in Norway. The results also included an after-tax charge of $347 million to fully impair the carrying value of the Corporation’s interests in the West Med Block 1 Concession, located offshore Egypt.


Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,246 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared with $534 million in the same quarter of 2009. Capital and exploratory expenditures were $1,567 million, of which $1,548 million related to Exploration and Production operations. In September 2010, the Corporation acquired, for cash of $507 million, a 7.9 percent interest in the Valhall Field and a 12.5 percent in the Hod Field. Capital and exploratory expenditures for the third quarter of 2009 were $668 million, of which $646 million related to Exploration and Production operations.

At September 30, 2010, cash and cash equivalents totaled $2,353 million compared with $1,362 million at December 31, 2009. Total debt was $5,584 million at September 30, 2010 and $4,467 million at December 31, 2009. In August 2010, the Corporation issued $1.25 billion of 30 year unsecured notes with a coupon of 5.60 percent. The Corporation’s debt to capitalization ratio at September 30, 2010 was 26.1 percent compared with 24.8 percent at the end of 2009.

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 in 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
  2010     2009     2010  

Income Statement

Revenues and Non-operating Income
Sales (excluding excise taxes) and other operating revenues $ 7,864 $ 7,270 $ 7,732
Equity in income (loss) of HOVENSA L.L.C. (83 ) (49 ) (6 )
Other, net   1,172     163     24  
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   8,953     7,384     7,750  
 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold (excluding items shown separately below) 5,330 5,069 5,316
Production expenses 475 460 440
Marketing expenses 232 240 245
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 225 167 172
Other operating expenses 39 43 80
General and administrative expenses 151 148 159
Interest expense 94 97 83
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 584 626 558
Asset impairments   532     -     -  
 
Total costs and expenses   7,662     6,850     7,053  
 
Income before income taxes 1,291 534 697
Provision for income taxes   200     182     301  
 
Net income 1,091 352 396
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests   (63 )   11     21  
Net income attributable to Hess Corporation $ 1,154   $ 341   $ 375  
 

Supplemental Income Statement Information

Foreign currency gains (losses), after-tax $ (5 ) $ 3 $ (4 )
Capitalized interest 1 1 1
 

Cash Flow Information

Net cash provided by operating activities (*) $ 1,246 $ 534 $ 981
 

Capital and Exploratory Expenditures

Exploration and Production
United States $ 379 $ 198 $ 399
International   1,169     448     531  
 
Total Exploration and Production 1,548 646 930
Marketing, Refining and Corporate   19     22     33  
 
Total Capital and Exploratory Expenditures $ 1,567   $ 668   $ 963  
 
Exploration expenses charged to income included above
United States $ 46 $ 22 $ 21
International   59     42     41  
 
$ 105   $ 64   $ 62  
 

(*) Includes changes in working capital


 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 
  Nine Months
  2010         2009  

Income Statement

  Revenues and Non-operating Income
  Sales (excluding excise taxes) and other operating revenues $ 24,855 $ 20,936
Equity in income (loss) of HOVENSA L.L.C. (174 ) (165 )
Other, net   1,242     240  
 
  Total revenues and non-operating income   25,923     21,011  
 
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold (excluding items shown separately below) 17,186 14,956
Production expenses 1,392 1,313
Marketing expenses 730 742
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 548 672
Other operating expenses 171 134
General and administrative expenses 465 444
Interest expense 261 269
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,684 1,616
Asset impairments   532     54  
 
Total costs and expenses   22,969     20,200  
 
Income before income taxes 2,954 811
Provision for income taxes   899     374  
 
Net income 2,055 437
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests   (12 )   55  
Net income attributable to Hess Corporation $ 2,067   $ 382  
 

Supplemental Income Statement Information

Foreign currency gains (losses), after-tax $ (10 ) $ (1 )
Capitalized interest 3 4
 

Cash Flow Information

Net cash provided by operating activities (*) $ 3,052 $ 1,775
 

Capital and Exploratory Expenditures

Exploration and Production
United States $ 1,115 $ 813
International   2,204     1,362  
 
Total Exploration and Production 3,319

 

2,175
Marketing, Refining and Corporate   72     83  
 
Total Capital and Exploratory Expenditures $ 3,391   $ 2,258  
 
Exploration expenses charged to income included above
United States $ 108 $ 127
International   132     138  
 
$ 240   $ 265  
 

 

(*) Includes changes in working capital


 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 

 

September 30,

   

December 31,

  2010     2009  

Balance Sheet Information

 
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,353 $ 1,362
Other current assets 6,486 6,625
Investments 775 913
Property, plant and equipment – net 19,084 16,627
Other long-term assets   4,787     3,938  
Total assets $ 33,485   $ 29,465  
 
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 43 $ 148
Other current liabilities 6,524 6,702
Long-term debt 5,541 4,319
Other long-term liabilities 5,549 4,768
Total equity excluding other comprehensive income (loss) 17,205 15,203
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (1,377 )   (1,675 )
Total liabilities and equity $ 33,485   $ 29,465  

 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 
  Third Quarter 2010
United        
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 622 $ 1,657 $ 2,279
Other, net   (2

)

  1,159   1,157
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   620   2,816   3,436
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 117 357 474
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 105 120 225
General, administrative and other expenses 37 33 70
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 172 388 560
Asset impairments   -   532   532
 
Total costs and expenses   431   1,430   1,861
 
Results of operations before income taxes 189 1,386 1,575
Provision for income taxes   71   227   298
 
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ 118 $ 1,159 $ 1,277
 
Third Quarter 2009
United
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 499 $ 1,293 $ 1,792
Other, net   137   8   145
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   636   1,301   1,937
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 106 354 460
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 56 111 167
General, administrative and other expenses 37 28 65
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 176 426 602
Asset impairments   -   -   -
 
Total costs and expenses   375   919   1,294
 
Results of operations before income taxes 261 382 643
Provision for income taxes   99   147   246
 
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ 162 $ 235 $ 397
 
Second Quarter 2010
United
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 570 $ 1,489 $ 2,059
Other, net   5   9   14
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   575   1,498   2,073
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 113 328 441
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 60 112 172
General, administrative and other expenses 32 32 64
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 157 377 534
Asset impairments   -   -   -
 
Total costs and expenses   362   849   1,211
 
Results of operations before income taxes 213 649 862
Provision for income taxes   84   290   374
 
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ 129 $ 359 $ 488

 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 
  Nine Months 2010
United        
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 1,774 $ 4,678 $ 6,452
Other, net   2   1,223   1,225
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   1,776   5,901   7,677
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 346 1,046 1,392
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 243 305 548
General, administrative and other expenses 105 96 201
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 465 1,148 1,613
Asset impairments   -   532   532
 
Total costs and expenses   1,159   3,127   4,286
 
Results of operations before income taxes 617 2,774 3,391
Provision for income taxes   232   843   1,075
 
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ 385 $ 1,931 $ 2,316
 
Nine Months 2009
United
States International Total
Sales and other operating revenues $ 1,024 $ 3,598 $ 4,622
Other, net   132   78   210
 
Total revenues and non-operating income   1,156   3,676   4,832
Costs and expenses
Production expenses, including related taxes 327 986 1,313
Exploration expenses, including dry holes
and lease impairment 306 366 672
General, administrative and other expenses 97 85 182
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 338 1,213 1,551
Asset impairments   -   54   54
 
Total costs and expenses   1,068   2,704   3,772
 
Results of operations before income taxes 88 972 1,060
Provision for income taxes   35   477   512
 
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ 53 $ 495 $ 548

 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

 

  Third     Third     Second
Quarter Quarter Quarter
2010 2009 2010

Operating Data

Net Production Per Day (in thousands)

Crude oil - barrels
United States 78 73 73
Europe 82 83 81
Africa 117 124 118
Asia and other   13   17   14
Total   290   297   286
 
Natural gas liquids - barrels
United States 15 12 12
Europe 3 2 3
Asia and other   -   -   1
Total   18   14   16
 
Natural gas - mcf
United States 120 105 102
Europe 104 120 140
Asia and other   406   429   437
Total   630   654   679
Barrels of oil equivalent   413   420   415
 

Average Selling Price

Crude oil - per barrel (including hedging)*
United States $ 71.92 $ 63.79 $ 72.99
Europe 57.28 47.34 56.21
Africa 64.78 54.97 63.54
Asia and other 75.95 67.49 78.01
Worldwide 64.81 56.07 64.81
 
Crude oil - per barrel (excluding hedging)
United States $ 71.92 $ 63.79 $ 72.99
Europe 57.28 47.34 56.21
Africa 75.70 67.27 77.03
Asia and other 75.95 67.49 78.01
Worldwide 69.47 61.42 70.15
 
Natural gas liquids - per barrel
United States $ 43.20 $ 36.05 $ 45.84
Europe 57.69 43.53 54.61
Asia and other 53.60 44.74 60.89
Worldwide 46.10 37.27 48.10
 
Natural gas - per mcf
United States $ 3.56 $ 2.65 $ 3.65
Europe 6.50 4.38 5.35
Asia and other 6.18 5.12 6.09
Worldwide 5.73 4.60 5.57

* The after-tax losses from crude oil hedging activities were $85 million in the third quarter of 2010, $84 million in the third quarter of 2009 and second quarter of 2010.


 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 
     

 

  Nine Months
2010     2009

Operating Data

Net Production Per Day (in thousands)

Crude oil - barrels
United States 74 54
Europe 83 82
Africa 117 125
Asia and other   14   16
  Total   288   277
 
Natural gas liquids - barrels
United States 13 10
Europe 3 3
Asia and other   1   1
Total   17   14
 
Natural gas - mcf
United States 107 92
Europe 133 153
Asia and other   432   442
Total   672   687
Barrels of oil equivalent   417   406
 

Average Selling Price

Crude oil - per barrel (including hedging)*
United States $ 73.05 $ 56.02
Europe 56.29 42.80
Africa 63.67 44.98
Asia and other 75.97 56.63
Worldwide 64.44 47.09
 
Crude oil - per barrel (excluding hedging)
United States $ 73.05 $ 56.02
Europe 56.29 42.80
Africa 76.19 56.59
Asia and other 75.97 56.63
Worldwide 69.56 52.35
 
Natural gas liquids - per barrel
United States $ 46.49 $ 32.38
Europe 57.28 37.86
Asia and other 60.15 38.49
Worldwide 48.84 33.90
 
Natural gas - per mcf
United States $ 3.91 $ 3.19
Europe 5.67 5.25
Asia and other 6.21 4.88
Worldwide 5.74 4.74

* The after-tax losses from hedging activities were $252 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $249 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.


 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

MARKETING AND REFINING SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 
  Third     Third     Second
Quarter Quarter Quarter
2010 2009 2010

Financial Information (in millions of dollars)

 

Marketing and Refining Results

Income (loss) before income taxes $ (78 ) $ 29 $ (37 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   (40 )   (9 )   (18 )
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ (38 ) $ 38   $ (19 )
 

Summary of Marketing and Refining Results

Refining $ (50 ) $ (3 ) $ (31 )
Marketing 40 35 17
Trading   (28 )   6     (5 )
Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation $ (38 ) $ 38   $ (19 )

 

 

Operating Data (barrels and gallons in thousands)

 

Refined Product Sales (barrels per day)

Gasoline 253 253 238
Distillates 96 113 112
Residuals 56 51 57
Other   41     26     28  
Total   446     443     435  
 

Refinery Throughput (barrels per day)

HOVENSA - Crude runs 408 384 392
HOVENSA - Hess 50% share 204 192 196
Port Reading 61 65 35
 

Refinery Utilization

  Refinery Capacity
HOVENSA (barrels per day)
Crude 500 81.6 % 76.9 % 78.5 %
FCC 150 76.1 % 82.9 % 91.0 %
Coker 58 73.0 % 78.9 % 81.9 %
Port Reading 70 87.7 % 92.2 % 49.7 %
 

Retail Marketing

Number of retail stations (a) 1,360 1,353 1,358
Convenience store revenue (in millions of dollars) (b) $ 322 $ 313 $ 317
Average gasoline volume per station (gallons per month) (b) 204 202 203

 

(a) Includes company operated, Wilco-Hess, dealer and branded retailer.

(b) Company operated only.


 

HESS CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

MARKETING AND REFINING SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 
  Nine Months
2010     2009
 

Financial Information (in millions of dollars)

 

Marketing and Refining Results

Income (loss) before income taxes $ 24 $ 135
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   (6 )   25  

Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation

$ 30   $ 110  
 

Summary of Marketing and Refining Results

Refining $ (137 ) $ (47 )
Marketing 178 123
Trading   (11 )   34  

Results of operations attributable to Hess Corporation

$ 30   $ 110  
 
 

Operating Data (barrels and gallons in thousands)

 

Refined Product Sales (barrels per day)

Gasoline 247 234
Distillates 112 129
Residuals 66 67
Other   40     36  
Total   465     466  
 

Refinery Throughput (barrels per day)

HOVENSA - Crude runs 392 412
HOVENSA - Hess 50% share 196 206
Port Reading 53 64
 

Refinery Utilization

  Refinery Capacity
HOVENSA (barrels per day)
Crude 500 78.4 % 82.4 %
FCC 150 69.5 % 75.2 %
Coker 58 80.0 % 83.6 %
Port Reading 70 75.4 % 91.1 %
 

Retail Marketing

Number of retail stations (a) 1,360 1,353
Convenience store revenue (in millions of dollars) (b) $ 915 $ 868
Average gasoline volume per station (gallons per month) (b) 198 203

 

(a) Includes company operated, Wilco-Hess, dealer and branded retailer.

(b) Company operated only.

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