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Kerr-McGee Reports Record Net Income

July 27, 2005
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OKLAHOMA CITY, July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Kerr-McGee Corp. reports net income for the 2005 second quarter of $370.8 million ($2.60 per diluted common share), compared with $110.6 million ($1.01 per share) for the 2004 second quarter. The company’s 2005 second-quarter adjusted after-tax income was $378.4 million ($2.65 per share), compared with $119.9 million ($1.09 per share) for the second quarter of 2004. Adjusted after-tax income is determined by excluding from net income the results from discontinued operations and other items. The $258.5 million increase in the 2005 second-quarter adjusted after-tax income versus the 2004 quarter primarily was due to higher oil and natural gas sales prices, higher oil and gas sales volumes, and higher chemical operating profit. Higher oil and gas sales volumes were due primarily to the acquisition of Westport Resources Corp. on June 25, 2004, and start of production in the Bohai Bay area of China and from the Red Hawk field in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico in the 2004 third quarter. This increase was partially offset by higher oil and gas lifting costs, depreciation and depletion, exploration expense and a provision for income taxes.

                                                           Six Months Ended                                      Second Quarter           June 30,    (Millions of dollars,     except per-share amounts)       2005        2004      2005         2004   Net Income                       $370.8      $110.6    $725.3       $262.8     Add Loss from Discontinued      Operations                       1.5         3.6       2.0          6.4     Add Other Items (A)               6.1         5.7      46.9         10.2   Adjusted After-Tax Income        $378.4      $119.9    $774.2       $279.4    Diluted Earnings Per Share     Net Income                      $2.60       $1.01     $4.78        $2.42     Discontinued Operations           .01         .04       .01          .06     Continuing Operations           $2.61       $1.05     $4.79        $2.48   Adjusted After-Tax Income         $2.65       $1.09     $5.10        $2.57     (A) Items included in “Other Items” are listed in the tables as “Other        Information, Net of Income Taxes.”

Adjusted after-tax income and the related measure per diluted share exclude items that management deems to not be reflective of the company’s core operations. These measures are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures provide valuable insight into the company’s core earnings from operations and enable investors and analysts to better compare core operating results with those of other companies by eliminating items that may be unique to the company. Other companies may define these items differently, and the company cannot assure that adjusted after-tax income and the related measure per diluted share are comparable with similarly titled amounts for other companies.

“While achieving record net income for the quarter, we have remained focused on transitioning to a pure-play exploration and production company with a balanced portfolio of oil and gas assets,” said Luke R. Corbett, Kerr-McGee chairman and chief executive officer. “Strong market conditions in the energy and chemical sectors provide us with this opportunity and we have returned immediate value to our stockholders through the repurchase of approximately 29% of our total outstanding shares as of March 31, 2005. The separation of our chemical business remains on track, and we expect to make a decision regarding a sale or IPO/spinoff during the third quarter. In regards to the divestiture of select lower-growth oil and gas assets, we are pleased with the level of interest from prospective buyers and expect to complete a majority of the sales by year end.

“We are expanding our development program in the Rocky Mountain division to capitalize on these lower-risk, high-return assets,” he said. “Growth from these properties will be supplemented by our development activities in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and Bohai Bay, which are on or ahead of schedule and within budget.”

Exploration and Production and Chemical Operating Profit

Second-quarter 2005 operating profit was $719.1 million, compared with $276.9 million in the 2004 second quarter. Exploration and production operating profit for the 2005 second quarter was $685.4 million, compared with $263.0 million for the prior-year quarter. The increase was due to higher oil and gas sales prices coupled with higher oil and gas sales volumes primarily as a result of the Westport acquisition and start of production in China and at Red Hawk. These increased revenues were partially offset by higher exploration expense, lifting costs, depreciation and depletion, and other operating expenses.

Chemical operating profit in the 2005 second quarter was $33.7 million, an increase of $19.8 million compared with the same prior-year period. The increase primarily was a result of higher pigment sales prices, partially offset by the effect of lower sales volumes.

Share Repurchase and Debt

During the second quarter of 2005, the company repurchased 46,727,763 shares of its common stock at a price of $85 per share for a total cost of approximately $4 billion. To fund the share purchase program the company sold $4.25 billion of term loans, $2 billion of which matures in two years and the balance in six years. In addition, the company entered into a new $1.25 billion five-year revolving line of credit. At June 30, 2005, debt outstanding totaled $7 billion, compared with $3.1 billion at March 31, 2005.

Oil and Gas Volumes and Prices

Kerr-McGee’s daily oil production averaged 175,000 barrels in the 2005 second quarter, compared with 140,500 barrels in the 2004 period, an increase of 25%. The increase was primarily due to the Westport acquisition and start of production in China.

The average sales price for oil for the 2005 second quarter, including the effect of the company’s hedging program, was $42.90 per barrel, which was 59% higher than in the prior-year quarter.

Natural gas sales averaged 1,118 million cubic feet per day for the 2005 second quarter, up 51% from the prior-year period, primarily due to the Westport acquisition and the start of production at Red Hawk.

The average natural gas sales price, including the effects of the company’s hedging program, was $6.42 per thousand cubic feet, compared with $4.70 per thousand cubic feet in the 2004 second quarter.

In the first half of 2005, Kerr-McGee expanded its hedging program, which includes a combination of costless collars and fixed-price swaps derivative contracts. The hedging program now covers approximately 75% of the company’s remaining 2005 and 2006 expected eligible production and approximately 50% of its 2007 expected eligible production. Eligible production excludes production from Bohai Bay, China, gas production from the North Sea, and production expected to be disposed of in the asset divesture program.

Revenues and Capital Expenditures

Second-quarter 2005 revenues of $1.8 billion were up 70% from the prior-year period. Capital expenditures were $485.0 million, compared with $289.2 million for the 2004 second quarter.

Kerr-McGee will hold a conference call today at 11 a.m. EDT to discuss its second-quarter 2005 financial and operating results and expectations for the future. Interested parties may listen to the call via Kerr-McGee’s website at http://www.kerr-mcgee.com/ or by calling 1-888-482-0024 in the United States, or 1-617-801-9702 outside the United States. The password for both dial-in numbers will be Kerr-McGee.

Detailed listings of Kerr-McGee’s oil and gas derivatives and projected daily average production volumes will be available on the company’s website at http://www.kerr-mcgee.com/ir/guidance.htm at the time of the call. A replay of the call will be available for 48 hours at 1-888-286-8010 in the United States or 1-617-801-6888 outside the United States. The code for the replay will be #37639132. The webcast will be archived for 30 days on the company’s website.

Kerr-McGee is an Oklahoma City-based energy and inorganic chemical company with worldwide operations and assets of more than $15 billion. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.kerr-mcgee.com/ .

Statements in this news release regarding the company’s or management’s intentions, beliefs or expectations, or that otherwise speak to future events, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “expects,”"believe,”"projected,” or similar words. In addition, any statements regarding possible commerciality, development plans, capacity expansions, drilling of new wells, ultimate recoverability of reserves, future production rates, cash flows and changes in any of the foregoing are forward-looking statements. Future results and developments discussed in these statements may be affected by numerous factors and risks, such as the accuracy of the assumptions that underlie the statements, the timing, manner and success of the planned separation of Kerr-McGee’s chemical business and the divestiture of certain oil and gas properties, the success of the oil and gas exploration and production program, drilling risks, the market value of Kerr-McGee’s products, uncertainties in interpreting engineering data, demand for consumer products for which Kerr-McGee’s businesses supply raw materials, the financial resources of competitors, changes in laws and regulations, the ability to respond to challenges in international markets (including changes in currency exchange rates), political or economic conditions in areas where Kerr-McGee operates, trade and regulatory matters, general economic conditions, and other factors and risks identified in the Risk Factors section of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other SEC filings. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied in this news release.

    Media contacts:    Debbie Schramm           John Christiansen                       Direct: 405-270-2877     Direct: 405-270-3995                       Cell:  405-830-6937      Cell:  405-406-6574                       dschramm@kmg.com         jchristiansen@kmg.com     Investor contact:  Rick Buterbaugh                       Direct:  405-270-3561                 KERR-McGEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES                                (Unaudited)                                       Second Quarter Ended  Six Months Ended                                            June 30,            June 30,    (Millions of dollars, except     per-share amounts)                  2005      2004     2005       2004   Consolidated Statement of Income   Revenues                           $1,849.9  $1,091.2  $3,566.9  $2,200.0   Costs and Expenses     Costs and operating expenses        556.1     427.8   1,077.5     822.5     Selling, general and      administrative expenses            109.6      77.9     201.9     158.8     Shipping and handling expenses       50.0      38.3      98.1      76.0     Depreciation and depletion          307.5     190.8     617.7     380.9     Accretion expense                     8.6       6.8      17.3      13.4     Asset impairments                     0.5       1.1       4.6      14.3     (Gain) loss associated with assets      held for sale                      (24.6)      3.9     (46.3)      7.3     Exploration, including dry holes      and amortization of undeveloped      leases                             120.9      65.5     183.8     116.1     Taxes, other than income taxes       45.4      28.4      91.8      56.4     Provision for environmental      remediation and restoration,      net of reimbursements                2.2       3.7      26.5       2.9     Interest and debt expense            81.1      55.7     141.9     112.7       Total Costs and Expenses        1,257.3     899.9   2,414.8   1,761.3                                         592.6     191.3   1,152.1     438.7   Other Income (Expense)                 (9.5)     (6.7)    (10.0)     (6.8)   Income from Continuing Operations    before Income Taxes                  583.1     184.6   1,142.1     431.9   Provision for Income Taxes           (210.8)    (70.4)   (414.8)   (162.7)   Income from Continuing Operations     372.3     114.2     727.3     269.2   Loss from Discontinued Operations,    net of taxes                          (1.5)     (3.6)     (2.0)     (6.4)   Net Income                           $370.8    $110.6    $725.3    $262.8    Income (Loss) per Common Share     Basic –       Continuing operations             $2.64     $1.11     $4.92     $2.64       Discontinued operations           (0.01)    (0.04)    (0.01)    (0.06)         Net income                      $2.63     $1.07     $4.91     $2.58     Diluted –       Continuing operations             $2.61     $1.05     $4.79     $2.48       Discontinued operations           (0.01)    (0.04)    (0.01)    (0.06)         Net income                      $2.60     $1.01     $4.78     $2.42    Weighted average shares outstanding    (thousands) –     Basic                             140,813   103,609   147,783   101,956     Diluted                           142,714   114,795   152,713   113,050                 KERR-McGEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES                                (Unaudited)                                       Second Quarter Ended   Six Months Ended                                            June 30,             June 30,    (Millions of dollars)               2005      2004 (A)   2005     2004 (A)   Segment Information   Revenues     Exploration and production (B)   $1,494.0    $765.1   $2,876.8  $1,598.9     Chemical – Pigment                  331.4     302.8      642.2     555.2     Chemical – Other                     24.4      23.3       47.8      45.8                                       1,849.8   1,091.2    3,566.8   2,199.9     All other                             0.1       —        0.1       0.1       Total                          $1,849.9  $1,091.2   $3,566.9  $2,200.0    Operating Profit     Exploration and production –       Domestic (B)                     $548.1    $261.2  $1,010.4    $569.5       North Sea                         186.0      76.1     377.1     169.1       China                              50.1      (1.7)     99.4      (3.0)       Other international                (2.0)     (2.1)     (4.2)     (5.0)       Asset impairments                  (0.5)     (1.1)     (4.6)    (14.3)       Gain (loss) associated        with assets held for sale         24.6      (3.9)     46.3      (7.3)         Total Production Operations     806.3     328.5   1,524.4     709.0       Exploration expense              (120.9)    (65.5)   (183.8)   (116.1)                                         685.4     263.0   1,340.6     592.9     Chemical –       Pigment                            31.9      13.5      64.2      20.7       Other                               1.8       0.4      (7.2)     (2.3)                                          33.7      13.9      57.0      18.4         Total                           719.1     276.9   1,397.6     611.3   Interest and debt expense             (81.1)    (55.7)   (141.9)   (112.7)   Corporate expenses                    (44.3)    (26.5)    (89.2)    (57.3)   Provision for environmental    remediation and restoration           (1.1)     (3.4)    (14.4)     (2.6)   Other income (expense)                 (9.5)     (6.7)    (10.0)     (6.8)   Provision for income taxes            210.8)    (70.4)   (414.8)   (162.7)   Income from Continuing Operations     372.3     114.2     727.3     269.2   Loss from Discontinued Operations,    net of taxes                          (1.5)     (3.6)     (2.0)     (6.4)   Net Income                           $370.8    $110.6    $725.3    $262.8    Net Operating Profit     Exploration and production         $451.6    $165.8    $868.5    $373.5     Chemical – Pigment                   22.1       8.1      43.9      13.4     Chemical – Other                      1.2       0.2      (4.7)     (1.5)       Total                             474.9     174.1     907.7     385.4   Interest and debt expense             (51.0)    (36.1)    (89.9)    (72.8)   Corporate expenses                    (44.3)    (17.1)    (74.6)    (37.2)   Provision for environmental    remediation and restoration           (0.8)     (2.2)     (9.4)     (1.6)   Other income (expense)                 (6.5)     (4.5)     (6.5)     (4.6)   Income from Continuing Operations     372.3     114.2     727.3     269.2   Loss from Discontinued Operations,    net of taxes                          (1.5)     (3.6)     (2.0)     (6.4)   Net Income                           $370.8    $110.6    $725.3    $262.8    (A) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the       current year’s presentation.   (B) Includes a gain (loss) on nonhedge derivatives of $12.4 and $5.4 for       the quarters ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 respectively, and ($38.8)       and $5.4 for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.                 KERR-McGEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES                                (Unaudited)                                      Second Quarter Ended  Six Months Ended                                           June 30,            June 30,    (Millions of dollars)              2005     2004 (A)    2005     2004 (A)   Selected Exploration and    Production Information   Revenues, excluding marketing    revenues                          $1,355.6    $677.8  $2,606.5  $1,429.9   Lifting Costs –     Lease operating expense             146.4      82.0     288.2     170.9     Production and ad valorem taxes      34.0      18.2      64.1      33.3       Total lifting costs               180.4     100.2     352.3     204.2   Depreciation, depletion and    amortization                         278.0     160.3     558.8     322.0   Accretion expense                       8.4       6.8      16.9      13.4   Asset impairments                       0.5       1.1       4.6      14.3   (Gain) loss associated with assets    held for sale                        (24.6)      3.9     (46.3)      7.3   General and administrative expense     43.7      35.0      73.3      66.2   Transportation expense                 36.3      24.8      71.1      51.6   Gas gathering, pipeline and other    expenses                              26.0      17.9      52.3      42.8   Exploration expense                   120.9      65.5     183.8     116.1     Total operating costs and      expenses                           669.6     415.5   1,266.8     837.9       Operating profit, excluding net        marketing margin                 686.0     262.3   1,339.7     592.0   Marketing – gas sales revenues        138.4      87.3     270.3     169.0   Marketing – gas purchase cost    (including transportation)          (139.0)    (86.6)   (269.4)   (168.1)     Total Operating Profit             $685.4    $263.0  $1,340.6    $592.9    Other Information, Net of Income    Taxes   Nonhedge losses on derivatives and    Devon stock revaluation              $(8.3)     $5.6     (47.8)     $6.1   Foreign currency gains (losses)        (3.2)     (1.6)      0.4      (2.9)   Asset impairments                      (0.3)     (0.7)     (3.0)     (9.3)   Gain (loss) associated with assets    held for sale                         31.6      (2.7)     45.7      (5.0)   Environmental provision, net of    reimbursements                        (1.3)     (2.4)    (17.0)     (1.8)   Employee retention programs            (5.5)      —      (5.5)      —   Cost of separating the chemical    business                              (0.7)      —      (0.7)      —   Mobile plant shutdown                   —      (2.3)       –       (1.1)   Savannah plant write-down              (0.5)      —      (1.0)      —   Gain on sale of Devon stock             —       —       —       5.8   Tax on repatriation of foreign    earnings                             (12.1)      —     (12.1)      —   Other items                            (5.8)     (1.6)     (5.9)     (2.0)     Total                               $(6.1)    $(5.7)   $(46.9)   $(10.2)    Selected Cash Flow Information   Cash Provided by Operating    Activities                          $781.7    $432.8  $1,578.5    $707.4   Depreciation, Depletion and    Amortization     (including asset impairments      and gain/loss on assets      held for sale)                     299.7     209.4     608.2     429.1   Dividends Paid                         73.7      45.6     142.0      91.0   Capital Expenditures (including    dry hole costs) –     Exploration and production         $459.4    $263.9    $843.1    $409.7     Chemical – Pigment                   17.7      18.5      28.5      38.5     Chemical – Other                      1.9       3.4       2.8       5.2                                         479.0     285.8     874.4     453.4     All other                             6.0       3.4       9.0       5.6       Total Capital Expenditures        (including dry hole costs)      $485.0    $289.2    $883.4    $459.0                                                            At          At                                                        June 30,  December 31,                                                             2005       2004   Selected Balance Sheet Information   Cash and Cash Equivalents                                $324.1     $75.7   Current Assets                                          2,298.2   1,887.1   Total Assets                                           15,177.1  14,518.2   Current Liabilities                                     2,468.0   2,505.5   Total Debt                                              6,955.6   3,699.3   Stockholders’ Equity                                    1,962.2   5,317.5    Shares outstanding at period-end                        115,168   151,889    (A) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the       current year’s presentation.                 KERR-McGEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES                                (Unaudited)                                      Second Quarter Ended  Six Months Ended                                           June 30,            June 30,                                        2005      2004      2005      2004    Crude oil & condensate production    (thousands of bbls/day)     Domestic –       Offshore                         60.0      57.0      60.9      57.2       Onshore                          36.1      19.8      36.1      19.3     North Sea                          61.9      63.7      64.9      65.3     China                              17.0       —      19.4       —       Total                           175.0     140.5     181.3     141.8    Average price of crude oil sold    (per bbl) (A)     Domestic –       Offshore                       $42.55    $28.08    $41.96    $28.42       Onshore                         39.56     25.50     38.51     25.68     North Sea                         45.10     26.40     44.27     26.45     China                             42.85       —     40.46       —       Average                        $42.90    $26.97    $41.93    $27.14    Natural gas sold (MMCF/day)     Domestic –       Offshore                          452       314       432       321       Onshore                           571       334       584       328     North Sea                            95        92        95       102       Total                           1,118       740     1,111       751    Average price of natural gas sold    (per MCF) (A)     Domestic –       Offshore                        $6.91     $5.16     $6.77     $5.42       Onshore                          6.35      4.58      6.04      4.96     North Sea                          4.54      3.61      5.35      4.05       Average                         $6.42     $4.70     $6.27     $5.03    Titanium dioxide pigment    production (thousands of tonnes)     131       143       264       279     (A) The effect of the company’s oil and gas commodity hedging program is        included in the average sales prices shown above.                 KERR-McGEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES  Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations                                (Unaudited)                          Second Quarter 2005          Year-to-Date 2005     (Millions of dollars,     except per-share            Other                      Other     amounts)          Reported  Items  Adjusted  Reported  Items  Adjusted                                        Non-GAAP                   Non-GAAP   Operating Profit     Exploration and      production –       Domestic          $548.1  $19.4    $567.5  $1,010.4  $80.1  $1,090.5       North Sea          186.0    —     186.0     377.1    —     377.1       China               50.1    —      50.1      99.4    —      99.4       Other        international      (2.0)   —      (2.0)     (4.2)   —      (4.2)       Asset impairments   (0.5)   0.5       —      (4.6)   4.6       —       Gain associated        with assets held        for sale           24.6  (24.6)      —      46.3  (46.3)      —         Total Production          Operations      806.3   (4.7)    801.6   1,524.4   38.4   1,562.8       Exploration        expense          (120.9)   —    (120.9)   (183.8)   —    (183.8)                          685.4   (4.7)    680.7   1,340.6   38.4   1,379.0       Chemical –         Pigment           31.9    1.9      33.8      64.2    2.9      67.1         Other              1.8   (0.1)      1.7      (7.2)  10.9       3.7                           33.7    1.8      35.5      57.0   13.8      70.8       Total segment        operating profit  719.1   (2.9)    716.2   1,397.6   52.2   1,449.8    Unallocated Expenses     Interest and debt      expense             (81.1)   —     (81.1)   (141.9)   —    (141.9)     Corporate expenses   (44.3)  12.0     (32.3)    (89.2)  12.1     (77.1)     Environmental      provision, net of      reimbursements       (1.1)   1.1       —     (14.4)  14.4       —     Other income (expense)(9.5)   4.5      (5.0)    (10.0)  (0.3)    (10.3)     Provision for income      taxes              (210.8)  (8.6)   (219.4)   (414.8) (31.5)   (446.3)   Income from Continuing    Operations           $372.3   $6.1    $378.4    $727.3  $46.9    $774.2    Net Operating Profit     Exploration and      production         $451.6  (18.7)   $432.9    $868.5    9.3    $877.8     Chemical – Pigment    22.1    1.2      23.3      43.9    1.8      45.7     Chemical – Other       1.2   (0.1)      1.1      (4.7)   7.0       2.3       Total              474.9  (17.6)    457.3     907.7   18.1     925.8   Interest and debt    expense               (51.0)   —     (51.0)    (89.9)   —     (89.9)   Corporate expenses     (44.3)  19.8     (24.5)    (74.6)  19.9     (54.7)   Environmental provision,    net of reimbursements  (0.8)   0.7      (0.1)     (9.4)   9.3      (0.1)   Other income (expense)  (6.5)   3.2      (3.3)     (6.5)  (0.4)     (6.9)   Income from Continuing    Operations           $372.3   $6.1    $378.4    $727.3  $46.9    $774.2    Net Income Per Share    – Diluted             $2.60            $2.65     $4.78            $5.10   

Adjusted after-tax income from continuing operations and the related measure per diluted share exclude items that management deems to not be reflective of the company’s core operations. These measures are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures provide valuable insight into the company’s core earnings from continuing operations and enable investors and analysts to better compare core operating results with those of other companies by eliminating items that may be unique to the company. Other companies may define these items differently, and the company cannot assure that adjusted after-tax income is comparable with similarly titled amounts for other companies.

              KERR-McGEE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES                          Schedule of Other Items                                (Unaudited)                                     Second Quarter 2005    Year-to-Date 2005                                    Before         After   Before        After    (Millions of dollars)           Tax     Tax    Tax     Tax    Tax    Tax   Other Items Adjusting Segment    Operating Profit   Exploration and Production     Nonhedge losses on      derivatives                 $(12.8)  $4.5  $(8.3) $(73.6)  $25.8 $(47.8)     Asset impairments              (0.5)   0.2   (0.3)   (4.6)    1.6   (3.0)     Gain associated with      assets held for sale          24.6    7.0   31.6    46.3    (0.6)  45.7     Environmental provision        (1.1)   0.4   (0.7)   (1.1)    0.4   (0.7)     Employee retention programs    (5.5)   1.9   (3.6)   (5.4)    1.9   (3.5)       Total Exploration and        Production                   4.7   14.0   18.7   (38.4)   29.1   (9.3)    Chemical – Pigment     Savannah plant write-down      (0.9)   0.4   (0.5)   (1.8)    0.8   (1.0)     Employee retention programs    (0.9)   0.3   (0.6)   (0.9)    0.3   (0.6)     Other items                    (0.1)   —   (0.1)   (0.2)    —   (0.2)       Total Chemical – Pigment     (1.9)   0.7   (1.2)   (2.9)    1.1   (1.8)    Chemical – Other     Environmental provision         0.1    —    0.1   (10.9)    3.9   (7.0)        Total Chemical               (1.8)   0.7   (1.1)  (13.8)    5.0   (8.8)     Other Items Adjusting    Unallocated Expenses     Foreign currency      gains (losses)                (4.5)   1.3   (3.2)    0.3     0.1    0.4     Environmental provision,      net of reimbursements         (1.1)   0.4   (0.7)  (14.4)    5.1   (9.3)     Employee retention programs    (2.1)   0.8   (1.3)   (2.1)    0.8   (1.3)     Costs of separating the      chemical business             (1.0)   0.3   (0.7)   (1.0)    0.3   (0.7)     Tax on repatriation of      foreign earnings               —  (12.1) (12.1)    —   (12.1) (12.1)     Other corporate expenses       (8.9)   3.2   (5.7)   (9.0)    3.2   (5.8)       Total Other                 (17.6)  (6.1) (23.7)  (26.2)   (2.6) (28.8)    Total                          $(14.7)  $8.6  $(6.1) $(78.4)  $31.5 $(46.9)   

Adjusted after-tax income from continuing operations and the related measure per diluted share exclude items that management deems to not be reflective of the company’s core operations. These measures are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures provide valuable insight into the company’s core earnings from continuing operations and enable investors and analysts to better compare core operating results with those of other companies by eliminating items that may be unique to the company. Other companies may define these items differently, and the company cannot assure that adjusted after-tax income is comparable with similarly titled amounts for other companies.

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Kerr-McGee Corp.

CONTACT: media, Debbie Schramm, +1-405-270-2877, or cell,+1-405-830-6937, or dschramm@kmg.com , or John Christiansen, +1-405-270-3995,or cell, +1-405-406-6574, or jchristiansen@kmg.com , or investors, RickButerbaugh, +1-405-270-3561, all of Kerr-McGee Corp.

Web site: http://www.kerr-mcgee.com/http://www.kerr-mcgee.com/ir/guidance.htm