Forgettable

Producers Suffer a Monumentally Forgettable Quarter

While most large producers reported net income in the positivecolumn in the first quarter of 1998, it was not a quarter most willwant to remember, as returns compared to the first quarter of 1999dropped anywhere from Exxon’s relatively conservative 44% to 81%down for Enron Oil and Gas or a drop from $177 million in earningsin 1Q’98 for Occidental Petroleum to a $70 million loss in 1Q’99.

May 10, 1999

A Monumentally Forgettable 1Q

Texaco reported a 60% drop and Phillips registered an 89%decline in first quarter net income, excluding special items,compared to the first quarter of 1998. While the first quarterdecline in crude and natural gas prices was blamed for the earningsfall-off, Texaco Chairman Peter I. Bijur found a positive sign forthe rest of the year in the fact that “prices have strengthenedsignificantly.”

May 3, 1999

A Monumentally Forgettable Quarter

Texaco reported a 60% drop and Phillips registered an 89%decline in first quarter net income, excluding special items,compared to the first quarter of 1998. While the first quarterdecline in crude and natural gas prices was blamed for the earningsfall-off, Texaco Chairman Peter I. Bijur found a positive sign forthe rest of the year in the fact that “prices have strengthenedsignificantly.”

April 28, 1999