Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2006

Registration No. 333-130967


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


CONOCOPHILLIPS

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware   2911   01-0562944

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

(281) 293-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)


Stephen F. Gates, Esq.

Senior Vice President, Legal, and General Counsel

ConocoPhillips

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

(281) 293-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)


Copies to:

Warren S. de Wied, Esq.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &

Jacobson LLP

One New York Plaza

New York, New York 10004

(212) 859-8000

 

Frederick J. Plaeger II, Esq.

Vice President and General Counsel

Burlington Resources Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 624-9000

 

Andrew R. Brownstein, Esq.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

51 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

(212) 403-1000


Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public:  As soon as practicable after the effectiveness of this registration statement and the effective time of the merger of Burlington Resources Inc. with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the registrant as described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among ConocoPhillips, Cello Acquisition Corp. and Burlington Resources Inc., dated as of December 12, 2005.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Each Class of Securities

to be Registered(1)

   Amount to
be
Registered(2)
  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
per Share
  Aggregate
Offering Price(3)
  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common stock, par value $.01 per share

   279,052,488   n/a   15,529,456,040.84   1,665,651

(1) This registration statement relates to shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips issuable to holders of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Burlington Resources Inc. (“BR”) pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
(2) The maximum number of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock issuable in connection with the merger in exchange for shares of BR common stock, based on the number of shares of BR common stock exchangeable in the merger, is equal to the sum of (i) 375,332,950 shares of BR common stock outstanding on January 6, 2006, and 409,998 shares of restricted BR common stock issuable prior to closing of the merger, multiplied by an exchange ratio of 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock for each share of BR common stock and (ii) up to 5,370,562 shares of BR common stock issuable on the exercise of options outstanding on January 6, 2006, as well as options issuable prior to closing of the merger, multiplied by the sum of (a) the exchange ratio of 0.7214 and (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is $46.50 and the denominator of which is the average of the high and low prices of ConocoPhillips common stock as reported on the consolidated tape of the New York Stock Exchange on January 9, 2006, which was $60.95.
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c), Rule 457(f)(1) and Rule 457(f)(3) of the Securities Act, based on the market value of the shares of BR common stock to be exchanged in the merger, as established by the average of the high and low prices of BR common stock as reported on the consolidated tape of the New York Stock Exchange on January 6, 2006, which was $87.83, and the amount of cash to be paid by ConocoPhillips in exchange for shares of BR common stock (equal to $46.50 multiplied by 375,742,948, the aggregate number of shares of BR common stock calculated as set forth above).

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.



Table of Contents

The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

LOGO

 

[                    ], 2006

 

Dear Burlington Resources Inc. Stockholder:

 

The board of directors of Burlington Resources Inc. has unanimously approved a merger agreement with ConocoPhillips. If BR stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement and the merger is subsequently completed, BR will merge into a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips and stockholders of BR will receive (i) 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and (ii) $46.50 in cash for each share of BR common stock owned. The implied value of the stock consideration will fluctuate as the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock fluctuates. You should obtain current stock price quotations for BR common stock and ConocoPhillips common stock. BR common stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BR.” ConocoPhillips common stock is quoted on the NYSE under the symbol “COP.” Based on the closing price of ConocoPhillips’ common stock on the NYSE on [                    ], 2006, the value of the aggregate consideration to be received by BR stockholders would be approximately [                    ] per share. Upon completion of the merger, we estimate that BR’s former stockholders will own approximately 16% of the common stock of ConocoPhillips.

 

You will be asked to vote on the merger proposal at a special meeting of BR stockholders to be held on [                    ], 2006, at [            ], [    ] Central Daylight Time, at [            ]. Only holders of record of BR common stock at the close of business on [    ], 2006, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to vote at the special meeting. Attached to this letter is an important document containing detailed information about BR, ConocoPhillips, the proposed merger and the merger agreement. We urge you to read this document carefully and in its entirety. In particular, see “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 18. You can also obtain information about BR and ConocoPhillips from documents that BR and ConocoPhillips have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.

 

After careful consideration, BR’s board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger is advisable and in the best interests of BR and its stockholders and unanimously recommends BR stockholders vote FOR approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

Your vote is very important. Because approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of BR common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting, a failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible so that your shares are represented at the meeting. This action will not limit your right to vote in person if you wish to attend the special meeting and vote in person.

 

BR’s board of directors very much appreciates and looks forward to your support.

 

Sincerely,

Bobby S. Shackouls

Chairman of the Board, President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with the merger nor have they determined if this document is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not determined the fairness or merits of the merger. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This document is dated [                    ], 2006, and is first being mailed to stockholders of BR on or about [                    ], 2006.


Table of Contents

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This document, which is sometimes referred to as this proxy statement/prospectus, constitutes a proxy statement of BR to BR stockholders with respect to the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting described within and a prospectus of ConocoPhillips for the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock that ConocoPhillips will issue to BR stockholders in the merger. As permitted under the rules of the SEC, this proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about BR, ConocoPhillips and their affiliates that is contained in documents filed with the SEC that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain copies of these documents, without charge, from the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, as well as other sources. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100. You may also obtain copies of these documents, without charge, from ConocoPhillips and from BR by writing or calling:

 

Burlington Resources Inc.

Corporate Secretary

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100

Houston, Texas 77002

(800) 262-3456

 

ConocoPhillips

Shareholder Relations Department

P.O. Box 2197

Houston, Texas 77079

(281) 293-6800

 

You also may obtain documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from D.F. King & Co., the proxy solicitor for the merger, at the following address and telephone number:

 

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

(800) 714-3313

 

To receive timely delivery of requested documents in advance of the special meeting, you should make your request no later than [                    ], 2006.

 

In “Questions and Answers About the Special Meeting and the Merger” and in the “Summary” below, we highlight selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus. However, we may not have included all of the information that may be important to you. To better understand the merger agreement and the merger, and for a description of the legal terms governing the merger, you should carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the appendices, as well as the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD [                    ], 2006

 

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC.:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting of stockholders of Burlington Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation, which will be held on [                    ], 2006, at [            ], [Central Daylight Time] at [                    ], for the following purposes:

 

    to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 12, 2005, by and among Burlington Resources Inc., sometimes referred to in this document as BR, ConocoPhillips and Cello Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips;

 

    to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement; and

 

    to consider and transact any other business as may properly be brought before the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Only holders of record of BR common stock at the close of business on [                    ], 2006, the record date, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. A complete list of BR stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting shall be made available for inspection by any BR stockholder at the special meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of BR common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting is required to approve and adopt the merger agreement in order for the merger to be completed.

 

A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus of which this notice is a part. The proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement is described in more detail in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. You should read these documents carefully and in their entirety before voting.

 

BR’s board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger is advisable and in the best interests of BR and its stockholders and unanimously recommends BR stockholders vote FOR the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

JEFFERY P. MONTE

Corporate Secretary

 

[                    ], 2006

Houston, Texas

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign, date and return your proxy card or voting instruction card in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible. A proxy may also be completed electronically or by phone as described on the proxy card in the attached document. Giving your proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the special meeting.


Table of Contents

VOTING ELECTRONICALLY OR BY TELEPHONE

 

In addition to voting by signing, dating and timely returning a completed proxy card provided with this proxy statement/prospectus, BR’s stockholders of record may submit their proxies:

 

    through the Internet, by visiting a web site established for this purpose at http://www.eproxyvote.com.br and following the instructions; or

 

    by telephone, by calling the toll-free number 1-877-PRX-VOTE (1-877-779-8683) in the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada on a touch-tone pad and following the recorded instructions.

 

Internet and telephone voting facilities will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [                    ], 2006. Please have your proxy card in hand when you use the Internet or telephone voting options.

 

If your shares are held by a broker, bank or other holder of record, please refer to your voting card or other information forwarded by that entity to determine whether you may vote by telephone or electronically on the Internet, following the instructions on the card or other information provided by the record holder.

 

If you do not vote in favor of approval and adoption of the merger agreement and you strictly comply with the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, you will be entitled to obtain payment in cash of the fair market value of your shares of BR common stock under applicable provisions of Delaware law. A copy of the applicable Delaware statutory provisions is included as Annex D to this document, and a summary of these provisions can be found in the section titled “The Merger—Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 39.

 

Please do not send your stock certificates at this time. If the merger is completed, you will be sent instructions regarding the surrender of your stock certificates.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING.

 

2


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

   1

SUMMARY

   5

HISTORICAL MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA

   11

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF CONOCOPHILLIPS

   12

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF BR

   13

SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

   14

COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

   15

COMPARATIVE MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES

   16

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

   17

RISK FACTORS

   18

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   24

THE MERGER

   26

General

   26

The Companies

   26

Background of the Merger

   26

BR’s Reasons for the Merger and the BR Board’s Recommendation

   29

ConocoPhillips’ Reasons for the Merger

   33

Accounting Treatment

   33

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

   33

Regulatory Matters

   38

Appraisal Rights

   39

Federal Securities Laws Consequences; Stock Transfer Restriction Agreements

   42

OPINIONS OF BR’S FINANCIAL ADVISORS

   43

Opinion of Morgan Stanley

   43

Opinion of JPMorgan

   51

INTERESTS OF BR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THE MERGER

   58

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

   63

Structure of the Merger

   63

Timing of Closing

   63

Merger Consideration

   63

Explanation of Potential Adjustment to Merger Consideration

   63

Conversion of Shares

   64

Exchange of BR Stock Certificates

   64

Treatment of BR Options and Other Incentive Awards

   64

Covenants

   65

Representations and Warranties

   71

Conditions to the Completion of the Merger

   73

Termination of the Merger Agreement

   73

Expenses

   75

Amendments; Waivers

   75

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING

   76

COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS

   80

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN OTHER HOLDERS

   88

DESCRIPTION OF CONOCOPHILLIPS CAPITAL STOCK

   90

ConocoPhillips Common Stock

   90

ConocoPhillips Preferred Stock

   90

Note on Delaware Law Change regarding Uncertificated Shares

   90

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   91

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES (UNAUDITED)

   97

LEGAL MATTERS

   99

 

i


Table of Contents

EXPERTS

   99

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

   99

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR STOCKHOLDERS

   100

Where You Can Find More Information

   100

Documents Incorporated by Reference

   100

Annex A: Agreement and Plan of Merger

   A-1

Annex B: Opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

   B-1

Annex C: Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   C-1

Annex D: Appraisal Rights; Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

   D-1

 

ii


Table of Contents

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT

THE MERGER AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

 

About the Merger

 

Q: What am I voting on?

 

A: ConocoPhillips is proposing to acquire BR. You are being asked to vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement. In the merger BR will merge into Cello Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips. We sometimes refer to this subsidiary as merger sub. Merger sub would be the surviving entity in the merger and would remain a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, and BR would no longer be a separate company.

 

     BR is also seeking your approval of a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of approval and adoption of the merger agreement and any other matters that may come before the special meeting.

 

Q: What will I receive in exchange for my BR shares?

 

A: Upon completion of the merger, you will receive a combination of 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and $46.50 in cash, without interest, for each share of BR common stock that you own. We refer to the aggregate amount of the stock consideration and cash consideration to be received by BR stockholders pursuant to the merger as the merger consideration.

 

Q: Do I have the option to receive all cash consideration or all stock consideration for my BR shares?

 

A: No. All BR stockholders will receive the fixed combination of the cash consideration and the stock consideration for each share of BR common stock that they own.

 

Q: What are the tax consequences of the merger to me?

 

A: The merger is intended to constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, so that you generally will recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount not to exceed any cash received as part of the merger consideration for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger. The merger is conditioned on the receipt of legal opinions that for U.S. federal income tax purposes the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

     For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger, see “The Merger—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 33.

 

     Tax matters are very complicated and the consequences of the merger to any particular BR stockholder will depend on that stockholder’s particular facts and circumstances. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor to determine your own tax consequences from the merger.

 

Q: Will I continue to receive future dividends?

 

A: Before completion of the merger, BR expects to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends on BR shares, which currently are $0.10 per share, at times and intervals consistent with its prior practice. Receipt of the regular quarterly dividend will not reduce your per share merger consideration. After completion of the merger, you will be entitled only to dividends on any ConocoPhillips shares you receive in the merger. While ConocoPhillips provides no assurances as to the level or payment of any future ConocoPhillips dividends on shares of ConocoPhillips common stock, and ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has the power to modify dividend policy, ConocoPhillips presently pays dividends at a quarterly dividend rate of $0.31 per share of ConocoPhillips common stock.


Table of Contents
Q: What is the required vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement?

 

A: Holders representing a majority of the outstanding shares of BR common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting must vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement to complete the merger. No vote of ConocoPhillips stockholders is required in connection with the merger.

 

Q: What happens if I do not vote?

 

A: Because the required vote of BR stockholders is based upon the number of outstanding shares of BR common stock entitled to vote rather than upon the number of shares actually voted, abstentions from voting and “broker non-votes” will have the same practical effect as a vote AGAINST approval and adoption of the merger agreement. If you return a properly signed proxy card but do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote FOR approval and adoption of the merger agreement and FOR approval of any proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

Q: How does the BR board of directors recommend I vote?

 

A: The board of directors of BR unanimously recommends that BR’s stockholders vote FOR approval and adoption of the merger agreement. The BR board of directors believes the merger is advisable and in the best interests of BR and its stockholders.

 

Q: Do I have dissenters’ or appraisal rights with respect to the merger?

 

A: Yes. Under Delaware law, you have the right to dissent from the merger and, in lieu of receiving the merger consideration, obtain payment in cash of the fair value of your shares of BR common stock as determined by the Delaware Chancery Court. To exercise appraisal rights, you must strictly follow the procedures prescribed by Section 262 of the DGCL. See “The Merger—Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 39. In addition, the full text of the applicable provisions of Delaware law is included as Annex D to this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Q: When do you expect the merger to be completed?

 

A: We are working on completing the merger as quickly as possible. To complete the merger, we must obtain the approval of the BR stockholders and satisfy or waive all other closing conditions under the merger agreement, which we currently expect should occur in the first half of 2006. However, we cannot assure you when or if the merger will occur. See “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Completion of the Merger” beginning on page 73. If the merger occurs, we will promptly make a public announcement of this fact.

 

Q: What will happen to my BR shares after completion of the merger?

 

A: Upon completion of the merger, your shares of BR common stock will be canceled and will represent only the right to receive your portion of the merger consideration (or the fair value of your BR common stock if you seek appraisal rights) and any declared but unpaid dividends that you may be owed. In addition, trading in shares of BR common stock on the New York Stock Exchange will cease and price quotations for shares of BR common stock will no longer be available.

 

About the Special Meeting

 

Q: When and where is the BR special stockholder meeting?

 

A: The BR special stockholder meeting will take place on [                    ], 2006, at [            ], [Central Daylight Time], and will be held at [            ].

 

2


Table of Contents
Q: Who is entitled to vote at the special meeting?

 

     Only holders of record of BR common stock at the close of business on [            ], 2006, which is the date BR’s board of directors has fixed as the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the special meeting.

 

Q: What do I need to do now?

 

A: After carefully reading and considering the information contained and referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus, including its annexes, please authorize your shares of BR common stock to be voted by returning your completed, dated and signed proxy card in the enclosed return envelope, or vote by telephone or the Internet, as soon as possible. To be sure that your vote is counted, please submit your proxy as instructed on your proxy card even if you plan to attend the special meeting in person. DO NOT enclose or return your stock certificate(s) with your proxy card. If you hold shares registered in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, that broker, bank or other nominee has enclosed or will provide a voting instruction card for use in directing your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote those shares.

 

Q: May I vote in person?

 

A: Yes. You may attend the special meeting of BR’s stockholders and vote your shares in person rather than by signing and returning your proxy card. If you wish to vote in person and your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you need to obtain a proxy from the broker, bank or nominee authorizing you to vote your shares held in the broker’s, bank’s or nominee’s name.

 

Q: If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker, bank or other nominee vote my shares for me?

 

A: Yes, but your broker, bank or other nominee may vote your shares of BR common stock only if you instruct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote. If you do not provide your broker, bank or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your “street name” shares, your broker, bank or other nominee will not be permitted to vote them on the merger agreement. You should follow the directions your broker, bank or other nominee provides to ensure your shares are voted at the special meeting. Please check the voting form used by your broker, bank or other nominee to see if it offers telephone or Internet voting.

 

Q: May I change my vote?

 

A: Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the special meeting. If your shares of BR common stock are registered in your own name, you can do this in one of three ways.

 

    First, you can deliver to BR, prior to the special meeting, a written notice stating that you want to revoke your proxy. The notice should be sent to the attention of Mr. Jeffery P. Monte, Corporate Secretary, Burlington Resources Inc., 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002, to arrive by the close of business on [            ], 2006.

 

    Second, prior to the special meeting, you can complete and deliver a new proxy card. The proxy card should be sent to the addressee indicated on the pre-addressed envelope enclosed with your initial proxy card to arrive by the close of business on [            ], 2006. The latest dated and signed proxy actually received by this addressee before the special meeting will be counted, and any earlier proxies will be considered revoked.

 

If you vote your proxy electronically through the Internet or by telephone, you can change your vote by submitting a different vote through the Internet or by telephone, in which case your later-submitted proxy will be recorded and your earlier proxy revoked.

 

    Third, you can attend the BR special meeting and vote in person. Any earlier proxy will thereby be revoked automatically. Simply attending the meeting, however, will not revoke your proxy, as you must vote at the special meeting to revoke a prior proxy.

 

3


Table of Contents

If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow directions you receive from your broker to change or revoke your vote.

 

If you are a street-name stockholder and you vote by proxy, you may later revoke your proxy instructions by informing the holder of record in accordance with that entity’s procedures.

 

Q: Why is it important for me to vote?

 

A: We cannot complete the merger without holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of BR common stock entitled to vote voting in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

Q: What happens if I sell my shares of BR common stock before the special meeting?

 

A: The record date for the special meeting is [            ], 2006, which is earlier than the date of the special meeting. If you hold your shares of BR common stock on the record date you will retain your right to vote at the special meeting. If you transfer your shares of BR common stock after the record date but prior to the date on which the merger is completed, you will lose the right to receive the merger consideration for shares of BR common stock and any dividends that have a record date after the date on which you transfer your shares. The right to receive the merger consideration will pass to the person who owns your shares of BR common stock when the merger is completed.

 

Q: Should I send in my stock certificates with my proxy card?

 

A: No. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH YOUR PROXY CARD. After the merger is completed, you will receive written instructions informing you how to send in your stock certificates to receive the merger consideration. In the event the merger agreement is terminated, any BR stock certificates that you previously sent to the exchange agent will be promptly returned to you without charge.

 

How to Get More Information

 

Q: Where can I find more information about BR and ConocoPhillips?

 

A: You can find more information about BR and ConocoPhillips from various sources described under the heading “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

Q: Who do I call if I have questions about the meeting or the merger?

 

A: If you have any questions about the special meeting, the merger or this proxy statement/prospectus, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact BR’s proxy solicitation agent, D.F. King & Co., toll-free at (800) 714-3313. If your broker holds your shares, you can also call your broker for additional information.

 

4


Table of Contents

SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the merger, you should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and the documents to which we have referred you, including the merger agreement attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

BR Stockholder Vote Required to Approve the Merger (page 73)

 

Approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of holders representing a majority of the shares of BR common stock outstanding as of the close of business on [    ], the record date for the special meeting of BR stockholders.

 

What BR Stockholders Will Receive in the Merger (page 63)

 

BR stockholders will receive a combination of 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and $46.50 in cash for each share of BR common stock owned, which we refer to as the merger consideration.

 

Fractional Shares

 

You will not be entitled to receive any fractional shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in the merger. Instead, you will be entitled to receive cash, without interest, for any fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock you might otherwise have been entitled to receive, based on a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all fractional shares in the market.

 

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger to BR Stockholders (page 33)

 

The merger is intended to constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, so that you generally will recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount not to exceed any cash received as part of the merger consideration for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger. The merger is conditioned on the receipt of legal opinions that the merger will constitute a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

For a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger, see “The Merger—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 33.

 

Tax matters can be complicated and the tax consequences of the merger to BR stockholders will depend on each stockholder’s particular tax situation. You should consult your tax advisors to understand fully the tax consequences of the merger to you.

 

BR Board’s Recommendation to BR Stockholders (page 29)

 

The BR board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger is advisable and in your best interests and unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

 

Opinions of BR’s Financial Advisors (page 43)

 

In deciding to approve the merger, BR’s board of directors received opinions from Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., which we refer to as Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, respectively, each dated December 12, 2005, as to the fairness from a financial point of view to the holders of BR common stock of the consideration to be received in the merger. These opinions are attached as Annex B and Annex C,

 

5


Table of Contents

respectively. You should read these opinions in their entirety for a discussion of the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the review by Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan in rendering their opinions. These opinions do not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how he or she should vote on the merger.

 

ConocoPhillips’ Reasons for the Merger (page 33)

 

ConocoPhillips believes the complementary assets and strategies of ConocoPhillips and BR, in combination with their personnel, technical expertise and financial strength, will create a company with capabilities and resources better positioned to succeed and grow in the new competitive energy marketplace.

 

These anticipated benefits depend on several factors, including the ability to obtain the necessary approvals for the merger and on other uncertainties. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18.

 

Ownership of ConocoPhillips After the Merger

 

BR stockholders will receive a total of approximately [            ] million shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in the merger. The shares of ConocoPhillips to be received by BR stockholders in the merger will represent approximately 16% of the outstanding ConocoPhillips common stock after the merger. This information is based on the number of ConocoPhillips and BR shares outstanding on [                    ], 2005 and does not take into account stock options or other equity-based awards or any other shares that may be issued or repurchased before the merger as permitted by the merger agreement.

 

Governance

 

ConocoPhillips has agreed to take all action necessary, as of the effective time of the merger, to appoint Bobby S. Shackouls, BR’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and William E. Wade Jr., a member of the BR board of directors, to the ConocoPhillips board of directors. ConocoPhillips has also agreed to appoint Randy Limbacher, BR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, as Executive Vice President, responsible for North and South America Exploration and Production.

 

Market Prices and Share Info

 

ConocoPhillips common stock is quoted on the NYSE under the symbol “COP.” BR common stock is quoted on the NYSE under the symbol “BR.” The following table shows the closing sale prices of ConocoPhillips and BR common stock as reported on the NYSE on December 9, 2005, the last business day preceding the press accounts of discussions between the parties regarding a potential merger, and on January [    ], 2006, the last practicable day before the distribution of this proxy statement/prospectus. This table also shows the merger consideration equivalent proposed for each share of BR common stock, which we calculated by multiplying the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock on those dates by the exchange ratio of 0.7214 and adding the cash consideration of $46.50.

 

     Closing Price per Share

    

December 9,

2005


  

January [    ],

2006


ConocoPhillips Common Stock

   $ 63.07    $             

BR Common Stock

   $ 76.09    $             

BR Merger Consideration Equivalent

   $ 92.00    $             

 

Because the 0.7214 exchange ratio is fixed and will not be adjusted as a result of changes in the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock, the merger consideration equivalent will fluctuate with the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock. The merger agreement does not include a price-based termination right or provisions that would limit the impact of increases or decreases in the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock. You should obtain current market quotations for the shares of both companies from a newspaper, the Internet or your broker prior to voting on the merger agreement.

 

6


Table of Contents

The Interests of Certain BR Officers and Directors in the Merger May Differ from Your Interests (page 58)

 

When you consider the BR board of directors’ recommendation that BR stockholders vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, you should be aware that some BR officers and directors may have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of other BR stockholders generally. The BR board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in unanimously approving and adopting the merger agreement and unanimously recommending that BR stockholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement. As of the record date, BR’s directors, executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned in the aggregate less than 1% of BR’s outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the BR special meeting.

 

Accounting Treatment (page 33)

 

The combination of the two companies will be accounted for as an acquisition of BR by ConocoPhillips using the purchase method of accounting.

 

The purchase price (reflecting the cash consideration and the weighted average price of ConocoPhillips’ common stock two days before, two days after and the first trading day after the transaction was announced on the evening of Monday, December 12, 2005) will be allocated to BR’s identifiable assets and liabilities based on their respective estimated fair values at the closing date of the acquisition, and any excess of the purchase price over those fair values will be accounted for as goodwill. The valuation of BR’s assets and liabilities and the finalization of plans for restructuring after the closing of the merger have not yet been completed. The allocation of the purchase price reflected in this proxy statement/prospectus may be revised as additional information becomes available.

 

Completion of the Merger Is Subject to Certain Conditions (page 73)

 

The completion of the merger depends upon satisfaction of a number of conditions, including the following:

 

    approval and adoption of the merger agreement by BR stockholders;

 

    expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which we refer to as the HSR Act;

 

    receipt of all approvals required in connection with the Canadian Competition Act and Investment Regulations, and all other regulatory approvals, except where the failure to obtain such approval would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on BR;

 

    absence of any legal prohibition on completion of the merger;

 

    ConocoPhillips’ registration statement on Form S-4, which includes this proxy statement/prospectus, being effective and not subject to any stop order by the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

    approval for the listing on the NYSE of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock to be issued in the merger;

 

    performance by the other party of the obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to closing, to the extent specified in the merger agreement;

 

    accuracy as of the closing of the representations and warranties made by the other party to the extent specified in the merger agreement; and

 

    receipt by each of ConocoPhillips and BR of an opinion of its counsel, dated as of the closing date of the merger, to the effect that for U.S. federal income tax purposes the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. BR will resolicit stockholder approval if BR waives its closing condition that it receive an opinion of its counsel to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

We cannot be certain when, or if, the conditions to the merger will be satisfied or waived, or that the merger will be completed.

 

7


Table of Contents

We Have Not Yet Obtained All Regulatory Approvals (page 38)

 

Certain regulatory requirements imposed by U.S. and foreign regulatory authorities must be complied with before the merger is completed.

 

Under the HSR Act and the related rules and regulations, the merger may not be completed until notifications have been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and specified waiting period requirements have been satisfied.

 

Completion of the merger may also require regulatory approvals of other foreign regulatory authorities. Under the laws of certain jurisdictions, the merger may not be completed unless certain filings are made with the antitrust regulatory authorities of these jurisdictions and these authorities approve or clear the merger. We currently expect to obtain approvals or otherwise file merger notifications in certain jurisdictions, including Canada.

 

ConocoPhillips and BR are working to obtain the required regulatory approvals and consents. However, although we expect to receive the required regulatory approvals, we can give no assurance as to when or whether these approvals and consents will be obtained, or the terms and conditions that may be imposed.

 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, ConocoPhillips is required to take all actions necessary to obtain regulatory approvals.

 

The Merger Agreement May Be Terminated (page 73)

 

The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing in any of the following ways:

 

    by mutual written consent of ConocoPhillips and BR;

 

    by either ConocoPhillips or BR if:

 

  the merger has not been completed by June 12, 2007 (provided that neither party may terminate if its failure to fulfill any of its obligations under the merger agreement has been the primary cause of, or resulted in, the failure to complete the merger by such date);

 

  the approval of BR stockholders has not been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at the BR special meeting of stockholders or at any adjournment or postponement of that special meeting;

 

  there is a permanent legal prohibition to closing the merger, or a governmental entity has failed to take actions necessary to fulfill certain closing conditions (provided that neither party may terminate if its failure to fulfill its obligations under the merger agreement has been the primary cause of, or resulted in, such legal action or inaction); or

 

  the other party has breached any of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations under the merger agreement, and that breach would result in the failure to satisfy certain specified closing conditions and is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured, has not been cured by the earlier of June 12, 2007, or within 30 days after the party alleged to have breached receives written notice of the breach (provided that neither party may terminate if such party is then in material breach of the merger agreement);

 

    by ConocoPhillips if:

 

  the BR board of directors fails to recommend the merger agreement or withdraws, qualifies or modifies in a manner adverse to ConocoPhillips its approval or recommendation of the merger agreement;

 

8


Table of Contents
  BR materially breaches its obligation to call the BR stockholder meeting or to comply with its obligations under the merger agreement with respect to this proxy statement/prospectus; or

 

  BR has materially breached its obligations. See “The Merger Agreement—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals” beginning on page 65;

 

    by BR, prior to approval and adoption by BR’s stockholders of the merger agreement if the BR board of directors has determined that it has received a superior proposal and BR has complied with its obligations under the no-solicitation provisions of the merger agreement. See “The Merger Agreement—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals” beginning on page 65.

 

If the merger agreement is validly terminated, the agreement will become void without any liability on the part of any party unless such party is in breach. However, certain provisions of the merger agreement, including, among others, those provisions relating to expenses and termination fees, will continue in effect notwithstanding termination of the merger agreement.

 

Certain Fees May Be Payable on Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 74)

 

BR has agreed to pay ConocoPhillips a $1.0 billion termination fee in cash if BR terminates the merger agreement prior to its adoption by BR’s stockholders, if the BR board of directors has determined that it has received a superior proposal and BR has complied with its obligations with respect to non-solicitation of other acquisition proposals.

 

BR has alternatively agreed to pay ConocoPhillips a $1.0 billion termination fee in cash if within twelve months of any termination of the merger agreement, BR enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, an acquisition proposal (as such term is defined below in “The Merger Agreement—Covenants —Acquisition Proposals” except that references in the definition of “acquisition proposal” to 20% are for purposes of this termination fee determination, changed to 50%) with any third party, and:

 

    ConocoPhillips terminates the merger agreement because BR has breached any of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations under the merger agreement, and that breach would result in the failure to satisfy certain specified closing conditions and is incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured, has not been cured by the earlier of June 12, 2007 or the date within 30 days after BR receives written notice of the breach, and at any time prior to any such termination, an acquisition proposal with respect to BR has been announced or otherwise communicated to the senior management, board of directors or stockholders of BR, which proposal has not been withdrawn prior to such termination;

 

    ConocoPhillips terminates the merger agreement because (A) the BR board failed to recommend the merger agreement to its stockholders or has otherwise changed or proposed publicly to change its recommendation of the merger agreement to its stockholders; (B) BR failed to comply with its obligation to hold the BR stockholders’ special meeting or to obtain SEC clearance for this proxy statement/prospectus; or (C) BR has materially breached its obligations under the merger agreement with respect to non-solicitation of other acquisition proposals, and at any time prior to any such termination, an acquisition proposal with respect to BR has been announced or otherwise communicated to the senior management, board of directors or stockholders of BR, which proposal has not been withdrawn prior to such termination; or

 

    either ConocoPhillips or BR terminates the merger agreement because BR’s stockholders fail to adopt the merger agreement and, at any time prior to the BR stockholders’ special meeting, an acquisition proposal has been publicly announced or otherwise communicated to BR’s stockholders and the proposal is not withdrawn prior to the BR stockholders’ special meeting.

 

9


Table of Contents

The Companies

 

ConocoPhillips

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

(281) 293-1000

 

ConocoPhillips is an international, integrated energy company, known worldwide for its technological expertise in deepwater exploration and production, reservoir management and exploitation, 3-D seismic technology, petroleum coke upgrading and sulfur removal from petroleum feedstocks. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips, operating in more than 40 countries, had approximately 35,800 employees worldwide and assets of $104 billion at September 30, 2005. ConocoPhillips has four core activities worldwide: petroleum exploration and production; petroleum refining, marketing, supply and transportation; natural gas gathering, processing and marketing; and chemicals and plastics production and distribution. In addition, ConocoPhillips is investing in several emerging businesses—fuels technology, gas-to-liquids, power generation and emerging technologies—that provide current and potential future growth opportunities.

 

Burlington Resources Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 624-9000

 

BR is one of the world’s leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies with a focus on natural gas, long-life reserves, strong cash flow generation throughout the business cycle, and high expertise in managing large-scale development programs and maximizing recovery from geologically complex reservoirs. BR has assembled an international portfolio that offers a combination of current production growth and long-term potential. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, BR employs more than 2,200 people, with major offices located in Calgary, Alberta; London, England; Farmington, New Mexico; Midland, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas.

 

10


Table of Contents

HISTORICAL MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA

 

The following table sets forth the high and low intra-day trading prices and dividends per share of ConocoPhillips and BR common stock, as adjusted for all stock splits and as reported on the NYSE, for the periods indicated:

 

     ConocoPhillips*

   BR**

         High    

       Low    

       Dividends    

       High    

       Low    

       Dividends    

For the quarterly period ended:

                                         

2003

                                         

March 31, 2003

   $ 26.93    $ 22.57    $ 0.20    $ 24.04    $ 20.38    $ 0.06875

June 30, 2003

     27.98      24.84      0.20      27.98      22.92      0.06875

September 30, 2003

     28.77      25.65      0.20      27.04      22.52      0.075

December 31, 2003

     33.02      27.15      0.215      28.73      23.48      0.075

2004

                                         

March 31, 2004

     35.75      32.15      0.215      31.98      26.33      0.075

June 30, 2004

     39.50      34.29      0.215      37.49      31.23      0.075

September 30, 2004

     42.18      35.64      0.215      41.24      34.92      0.085

December 31, 2004

     45.61      40.75      0.25      46.41      39.19      0.085

2005

                                         

March 31, 2005

     56.99      41.40      0.25      53.32      40.40      0.085

June 30, 2005

     61.36      47.55      0.31      57.18      44.72      0.085

September 30, 2005

     71.48      58.05      0.31      81.98      55.57      0.10

December 31, 2005

     70.66      57.05      0.31      87.03      64.02      0.10

* All ConocoPhillips amounts reflect a two-for-one stock split effected as a 100% stock dividend on June 1, 2005.
** All BR amounts reflect a two-for-one stock split effected as a 100% stock dividend on June 1, 2004.

 

11


Table of Contents

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF CONOCOPHILLIPS

 

We are providing the following information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger. The selected historical financial data in the table below for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, were derived from ConocoPhillips’ unaudited consolidated financial statements. The data for the five years ended December 31, 2004, were derived from ConocoPhillips’ audited consolidated financial statements. This information is only a summary, and you should read it together with ConocoPhillips’ historical financial statements and related notes contained in the annual reports and other information that ConocoPhillips has filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

     Millions of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts

     Nine Months Ended
September 30


   Year Ended December 31

     2005

   2004

   2004

   2003

   2002

    2001

   2000

Sales and other operating revenues

   $ 128,184    $ 95,691    $ 135,076    $ 104,246    $ 56,748     $ 24,892    $ 22,155

Income from continuing operations

     9,858      5,627      8,107      4,593      698       1,601      1,848

Per common share*

                                                 

Basic

     7.06      4.08      5.87      3.37      0.72       2.73      3.63

Diluted

     6.94      4.03      5.79      3.35      0.72       2.71      3.60

Net income (loss)

     9,850      5,697      8,129      4,735      (295 )     1,661      1,862

Per common share*

                                                 

Basic

     7.05      4.13      5.88      3.48      (0.31 )     2.83      3.66

Diluted

     6.94      4.08      5.80      3.45      (0.31 )     2.82      3.63

Total assets

   $ 104,372    $ 88,818    $ 92,861    $ 82,455    $ 76,836     $ 35,217    $ 20,509

Long-term debt

   $ 12,372    $ 14,407    $ 14,370    $ 16,340    $ 18,917     $ 8,610    $ 6,622

Mandatorily redeemable minority interests and preferred securities

     —        —        —        141      491       650      650

Cash dividends declared per common share*

   $ 0.87    $ 0.645    $ 0.895    $ 0.815    $ 0.74     $ 0.70    $ 0.68

* The per-share amounts in all periods reflect a two-for-one stock split effected as a 100% stock dividend on June 1, 2005.

 

The following transactions affect the comparability of the amounts included in the table above:

 

    The merger of Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company in 2002.

 

    The acquisition of Tosco Corporation in 2001.

 

    The acquisition of ordinary shares of LUKOIL in 2004 and 2005.

 

12


Table of Contents

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA OF BR

 

We are providing the following information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger. The selected historical financial data in the table below for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, were derived from BR’s unaudited consolidated financial statements. The data for the five years ended December 31, 2004, were derived from BR’s audited consolidated financial statements. This information is only a summary, and you should read it together with BR’s historical financial statements and related notes contained in the annual reports and other information that BR has filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

     Millions of Dollars Except Per Share Amounts

     Nine Months Ended
September 30


   Year Ended December 31

     2005

   2004

   2004

   2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

Sales and other operating revenues

   $ 5,215    $ 4,060    $ 5,618    $ 4,311    $ 2,968    $ 3,419    $ 3,218

Income from continuing operations

     1,756      1,127      1,527      1,260      454      558      675

Per common share

                                                

Basic

     4.60      2.87      3.90      3.17      1.13      1.35      1.57

Diluted

     4.56      2.84      3.86      3.15      1.13      1.34      1.56

Net income(1)

     1,756      1,127      1,527      1,201      454      561      675

Per common share(1)(2)(3)

                                                

Basic

     4.60      2.87      3.90      3.02      1.13      1.35      1.57

Diluted

     4.56      2.84      3.86      3.00      1.13      1.35      1.56

Total assets

   $ 17,858    $ 14,851    $ 15,744    $ 12,995    $ 10,645    $ 10,582    $ 7,506

Long-term debt

   $ 3,893    $ 3,917    $ 3,887    $ 3,873    $ 3,853    $ 4,337    $ 2,301

Cash dividends declared per common share(3)

   $ 0.27    $ 0.24    $ 0.32    $ 0.29    $ 0.28    $ 0.28    $ 0.28

(1) Year 2004 includes an income tax benefit of $23 million or $0.06 per share related to the reduction of the Canadian federal income tax rate and $45 million or $0.11 per share related to the reduction of the Alberta provincial income tax rate. In 2004, BR recorded a U.S. income tax expense of $26 million or $0.07 per share related to the planned repatriation of $500 million of eligible foreign earnings to the U.S. under the one-time provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Year 2004 also includes a non cash after-tax charge of $59 million ($90 million pretax) or $0.15 per share related to the impairment of undeveloped properties in Canada. Year 2003 includes an income tax benefit of $203 million or $0.51 per share related to the reduction of the Canadian federal income tax rate and $11 million or $0.02 per share related to the reduction of the Alberta provincial income tax rate. Year 2003 also includes a non cash after-tax charge of $38 million ($63 million pretax) or $0.09 per share related to the impairment of oil and gas properties in Canada.
(2) Year 2003 includes a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, which we refer to as a Cumulative Effect, loss of $0.15 related to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, which we refer to as SFAS, No. 143, Asset Retirement Obligations. Year 2001 includes a Cumulative Effect gain of $0.01 related to the adoption of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended.
(3) Share amounts related to years 2000 through 2003 have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split of BR’s common stock effective June 1, 2004.

 

13


Table of Contents

SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following selected unaudited pro forma financial data has been derived from and should be read together with the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and related notes on pages 91 through 96. This information is based on the historical consolidated balance sheets and related historical consolidated statements of income of ConocoPhillips and BR, and gives effect to the acquisition using the purchase method of accounting.

 

The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. You should not rely on the selected pro forma combined financial data as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that ConocoPhillips will experience.

 

    

(Millions of Dollars, except

per share amounts)


     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2005


   Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2004


Income statement data

             

Sales and other operating revenues

   $ 132,699    $ 140,116

Income from continuing operations

     10,665      8,269

Basic(1)

     6.40      5.00

Diluted(1)

     6.29      4.94
     At
September 30,
2005


    

Balance sheet data

             

Total assets

   $ 150,493       

Long-term debt

     29,708       

(1) Both periods reflect ConocoPhillips’ two-for-one stock split effected as a 100% stock dividend on June 1, 2005.

 

14


Table of Contents

COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

 

Set forth below are the ConocoPhillips and BR historical and pro forma amounts per share of common stock for income from continuing operations, cash dividends and book value. The exchange ratio for the pro forma computations is 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock for each share of BR common stock. The basic consideration for the transaction is 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and $46.50 in cash for each share of BR common stock outstanding immediately prior to completion of the merger.

 

The BR pro forma (equivalent) information shows the effect of the merger from the perspective of an owner of BR common stock. The information was computed by multiplying the ConocoPhillips pro forma combined information by the exchange ratio of 0.7214. This computation does not include the benefit to BR stockholders of the cash component of the transaction.

 

You should read the information below together with the historical financial statements and related notes contained in the ConocoPhillips and BR Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and other information filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

The unaudited pro forma combined data below is for illustrative purposes only. The pro forma adjustments for the balance sheet are based on the assumption that the transaction was consummated on September 30, 2005. The pro forma adjustments for the income statements are based on the assumption that the transaction was consummated on January 1, 2004.

 

The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. You should not rely on this information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or of the future results of the combined company. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information” beginning on page 91 for a discussion of the pro forma financial data used in the comparative per-share amounts in the table below.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005


   Year Ended
December 31, 2004


 

ConocoPhillips historical(1)

               

Income from continuing operations—basic

   $ 7.06    $ 5.87  

Income from continuing operations—diluted

     6.94      5.79  

Cash dividends

     0.87      0.895  

Book value at end of period

     35.92      30.75  

ConocoPhillips pro forma combined(1)

               

Income from continuing operations—basic

   $ 6.40    $ 5.00  

Income from continuing operations—diluted

     6.29      4.94  

Cash dividends(2)

     0.87      0.895  

Book value at end of period

     39.95      n/a (3)

BR historical

               

Income from continuing operations—basic

   $ 4.60    $ 3.90  

Income from continuing operations—diluted

     4.56      3.86  

Cash dividends

     0.27      0.32  

Book value at end of period

     21.24      18.07  

BR pro forma (equivalent)

               

Income from continuing operations—basic

   $ 4.62    $ 3.61  

Income from continuing operations—diluted

     4.54      3.56  

Cash dividends

     0.628      0.646  

Book value at end of period

     28.82      n/a (3)

(1) Both periods reflect a two-for-one stock split effected as a 100% stock dividend on June 1, 2005.
(2) Same as ConocoPhillips’ historical, since no change in dividend policy is expected as a result of the merger.
(3) Book value is presented on a pro forma basis only for the most recent balance sheet date—September 30, 2005.

 

15


Table of Contents

COMPARATIVE MARKET VALUE OF SECURITIES

 

The following table sets forth the closing price per share of ConocoPhillips common stock and the closing price per share of BR common stock on December 9, 2005 (the last business day preceding the press accounts of discussions between the parties regarding a potential merger) and January [    ], 2006 (the most recent practicable trading date prior to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus). The table also presents the equivalent market value per share of BR common stock on December 9, 2005 and January [    ], 2006 for receipt of a combination of 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and $46.50 in cash, without interest, for each share of BR common stock that you own.

 

You are urged to obtain current market quotations for shares of ConocoPhillips common stock and BR common stock before making a decision with respect to the merger.

 

No assurance can be given as to the market prices of ConocoPhillips common stock or BR common stock at the closing of the merger. Because the exchange ratio will not be adjusted for changes in the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock, the market value of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock that holders of BR common stock will receive at the effective time of the merger may vary significantly from the market value of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock that holders of BR common stock would have received if the merger were consummated on the date of the merger agreement or on the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

     Closing Price per Share

     December 9,
2005


   January [    ],
2006


ConocoPhillips Common Stock

   $ 63.07    $             

BR Common Stock

   $ 76.09    $             

BR Merger Consideration Equivalent

   $ 92.00    $             

 

16


Table of Contents

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

On December 15 and 16, 2005, two stockholder lawsuits were filed in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, both alleging that BR’s board of directors breached its fiduciary duties in approving the proposed merger between BR and ConocoPhillips. The first action is a stockholder derivative action purportedly filed on behalf of BR against the BR board of directors, and contains claims for abuse of control, breach of the duty of candor, gross mismanagement, waste and unjust enrichment, and breach of fiduciary duty. The second suit is a purported stockholder class action lawsuit against BR and the BR board of directors, and contains a claim for breach of fiduciary duty. Both complaints allege, among other things, that the BR board of directors engaged in self-dealing by approving a proposed merger that allegedly advances the BR board of directors’ personal interests at the expense of BR’s stockholders, thus causing BR stockholders to receive an unfair price for their shares of BR common stock. Both complaints seek, among other things, an injunction preventing the completion of the merger, rescission if the merger is consummated, attorneys’ fees and expenses associated with the lawsuit, and any other further equitable relief as the courts may deem just and proper. BR believes these actions are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously.

 

17


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed under the caption “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 24, you should carefully read and consider the following factors in evaluating the proposals to be voted on at the special meeting of BR stockholders and in determining whether to vote for approval and adoption of the merger agreement. Please also refer to the additional risk factors identified in the periodic reports and other documents of ConocoPhillips and BR incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and see “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

Risk Factors Relating to the Merger

 

BR will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending.

 

Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on employees, suppliers, partners, regulators and customers may have an adverse effect on BR and potentially on ConocoPhillips. These uncertainties may impair BR’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is consummated, and could cause suppliers, customers and others that deal with BR to defer purchases or other decisions concerning BR, or to seek to change existing business relationships with BR. Employee retention may be particularly challenging during the pendency of the merger, as employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with ConocoPhillips. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips’ business following the merger could be harmed. In addition, the merger agreement restricts BR from making certain acquisitions and taking other specified actions until the merger occurs. These restrictions may prevent BR from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the completion of the merger. See “The Merger Agreement—Covenants” beginning on page 65 for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to BR.

 

The exchange ratio will not be adjusted in the event the value of ConocoPhillips common stock declines before the merger is completed. As a result, the value of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock at the time that BR stockholders receive them could be less than the value of those shares today.

 

In the merger, BR stockholders will be entitled to receive a combination of 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and $46.50 in cash for each share of BR common stock owned. ConocoPhillips and BR will not adjust the exchange ratio for the portion of the merger consideration to be paid in ConocoPhillips common stock as a result of any change in the market price of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock between the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and the date that you receive shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in exchange for your shares of BR common stock. The market price of ConocoPhillips common stock will likely be different, and may be lower, on the date you receive your shares of ConocoPhillips common stock than the market price of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. During the 12-month period ending on [            ], 2006, the most recent practical date prior to the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, ConocoPhillips common stock traded in a range from a low of $[            ] to a high of $[            ] and ended that period at $[            ]. See “Historical Market Price and Dividend Data” beginning on page 11 for more detailed share price information. Differences in ConocoPhillips’ stock price may be the result of changes in the business, operations or prospects of ConocoPhillips, market reactions to the proposed merger, commodity prices, general market and economic conditions or other factors. If the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock declines after you vote, you may receive less value than you expected when you voted. Neither ConocoPhillips nor BR is permitted to terminate the merger agreement or resolicit the vote of BR stockholders because of changes in the market prices of their respective common stock.

 

18


Table of Contents

The failure to integrate BR successfully on a timely basis could reduce ConocoPhillips’ profitability and adversely affect its stock price.

 

ConocoPhillips expects certain benefits to arise from the merger, including increased operating cash flows after budgeted capital expenditures, creation of a leading North American gas position, and certain operating efficiencies and synergies. See “The Merger—ConocoPhillips’ Reasons for the Merger” beginning on page 33. Achievement of these benefits will depend in part upon how and when the businesses of ConocoPhillips and BR are integrated. If ConocoPhillips is not successful in this integration, its financial results could be adversely impacted. ConocoPhillips’ management may be required to dedicate significant time and effort to this integration process, which could divert its attention from other business concerns. The challenges involved in this integration include the following:

 

    retaining key employees and maintaining key employee morale, particularly in areas where ConocoPhillips does not currently have personnel;

 

    obtaining the required approvals of various regulatory agencies, any of which could impose conditions or restrictions on its approval;

 

    minimizing the diversion of management attention from ongoing business concerns; and

 

    addressing differences in the business cultures, processes and systems of ConocoPhillips and BR.

 

Some of the executive officers and directors of BR may have interests that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of other stockholders and that could have influenced their decisions to support or approve the merger.

 

The interests of some of the executive officers and directors of BR may be different from those of other BR stockholders. As to BR’s executive officers, these different interests arise primarily from compensatory arrangements in which the executive officers participate but which are not available to other BR stockholders. These interests consist of, among other things, accelerated vesting of BR stock options, restricted stock and performance share units; the payment of cash bonuses; and the entitlement to severance payments and benefits upon certain terminations of employment. These interests are described in more detail in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Interests of BR Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 58. In addition, upon completion of the merger, Bobby S. Shackouls, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BR and Steven J. Shapiro, Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development of BR, will retire, and Randy L. Limbacher, currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of BR, will become Executive Vice President of ConocoPhillips responsible for exploration and production activities in North and South America. Mr. Shackouls, Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Limbacher are currently directors of BR. Mr. Shackouls and William E. Wade, Jr., currently an independent director of BR, will join ConocoPhillips’ board of directors. BR directors will be entitled to continuation of indemnification and insurance arrangements under the merger agreement.

 

You should be aware of these interests when you consider the BR board of directors’ recommendation that you vote for approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

The failure to obtain required approvals and satisfy closing conditions in a timely manner may delay completion of the merger or reduce the anticipated benefits of the merger.

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned upon the receipt of all material governmental authorizations, consents, orders and approvals, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods, and any extension of the waiting periods, under the HSR Act and the required approval in connection with the Canadian Competition Act and Investment Regulations. ConocoPhillips and BR intend to pursue all required approvals in accordance with the merger agreement. These approvals may impose conditions on or require divestitures relating to the divisions, operations or assets of ConocoPhillips or BR. Such conditions or divestitures may delay completion of the merger or may reduce the anticipated benefits of the merger, although ConocoPhillips is

 

19


Table of Contents

required under the merger agreement to take all actions necessary to obtain these approvals. See “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Completion of the Merger” beginning on page 73 for a discussion of the conditions to the completion of the merger and “The Merger—Regulatory Matters” beginning on page 38 for a description of the regulatory approvals necessary in connection with the merger.

 

The merger agreement limits BR’s ability to pursue alternatives to the merger.

 

The merger agreement contains provisions that could adversely impact competing proposals to acquire BR. These provisions include the prohibition on BR generally from soliciting any acquisition proposal or offer for a competing transaction and the requirement that BR pay a termination fee of $1.0 billion in cash if the merger agreement is terminated in specified circumstances in connection with an alternative transaction. In addition, even if the board of directors of BR determines that a competing proposal to acquire BR is superior, BR may not exercise its right to terminate the merger agreement unless it notifies ConocoPhillips of its intention to do so and gives ConocoPhillips at least three business days to propose revisions to the terms of the merger agreement or to make another proposal in response to the competing proposal. See “The Merger Agreement—Covenants” beginning on page 65, “The Merger Agreement—Termination of the Merger Agreement” beginning on page 73 and “The Merger Agreement—Covenants—BR Board’s Recommendation to Stockholders” beginning on page 66.

 

ConocoPhillips required BR to agree to these provisions as a condition to ConocoPhillips’ willingness to enter into the merger agreement. These provisions, however, might discourage a third party that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of BR from considering or proposing that acquisition, even if that party were prepared to pay consideration with a higher value than the current proposed merger consideration. Furthermore, the termination fee may result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire BR than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.

 

The merger may be dilutive to various financial measurements of ConocoPhillips, which may negatively affect the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock.

 

ConocoPhillips expects that, in the near term, the merger will be dilutive to its return on capital employed and earnings per share on a pro forma basis. Future events and conditions could cause such dilution to be more significant than expected, including, among other things, adverse changes in

 

    energy market conditions;

 

    commodity prices for oil, natural gas and liquid natural gas;

 

    production levels;

 

    reserve levels;

 

    operating results;

 

    competitive conditions;

 

    laws and regulations affecting the energy business;

 

    capital expenditure obligations; and

 

    general economic conditions.

 

ConocoPhillips and BR could also encounter other transaction and integration-related costs or other factors, such as the failure to realize benefits from synergies anticipated in the merger. All of these factors could adversely affect the market price of ConocoPhillips common stock.

 

20


Table of Contents

The price of ConocoPhillips common stock may be affected by factors different from those affecting the price of BR common stock.

 

Holders of BR common stock will receive ConocoPhillips common stock in the merger. ConocoPhillips’ business is different in certain ways from that of BR (including ConocoPhillips’ significant refining and marketing business and its greater exposure to international projects), and ConocoPhillips’ results of operations, as well as the price of ConocoPhillips common stock, may be affected by factors different from those affecting BR’s results of operations and the price of BR common stock. The price of ConocoPhillips common stock may fluctuate significantly following the merger, including fluctuation due to factors over which ConocoPhillips has no control. For a discussion of ConocoPhillips’ business and BR’s business and certain factors to consider in connection with their businesses, including risk factors associated with their businesses, see ConocoPhillips’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005, and BR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See also the other documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus under the caption “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

Failure to complete the merger could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of BR.

 

Although BR has agreed that its board of directors will, subject to fiduciary exceptions, recommend that its stockholders approve and adopt the merger agreement, there is no assurance that the merger agreement and the merger will be approved, and there is no assurance that the other conditions to the completion of the merger will be satisfied. If the merger is not completed, BR will be subject to several risks, including the following:

 

    BR may be required to pay ConocoPhillips a termination fee of $1.0 billion in cash in the aggregate if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances and BR enters into or completes an alternative transaction;

 

    The current market price of BR common stock may reflect a market assumption that the merger will occur, and a failure to complete the merger could result in a negative perception by the stock market of BR generally and a resulting decline in the market price of BR common stock;

 

    Certain costs relating to the merger (such as legal, accounting and financial advisory fees) are payable by BR whether or not the merger is completed;

 

    There may be substantial disruption to the business of BR and a distraction of its management and employees from day-to-day operations, because matters related to the merger (including integration planning) may require substantial commitments of time and resources, which could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that could have been beneficial to BR;

 

    BR’s business could be adversely affected if it is unable to retain key employees or attract qualified replacements; and

 

    BR would continue to face the risks that it currently faces as an independent company, as further described in the documents that BR has filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

In addition, BR would not realize any of the expected benefits of having completed the merger. If the merger is not completed, these risks may materialize and materially adversely affect BR’s business, financial results, financial condition and stock price.

 

The shares of ConocoPhillips common stock to be received by BR stockholders as a result of the merger will have different rights from the shares of BR common stock.

 

BR stockholders will become ConocoPhillips stockholders and their rights as stockholders will be governed by the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of ConocoPhillips and Delaware corporate law. The rights

 

21


Table of Contents

associated with BR common stock are different from the rights associated with ConocoPhillips common stock. See the section of this proxy statement/prospectus titled “Comparison of Stockholder Rights” beginning on page 80 for a discussion of the different rights associated with ConocoPhillips common stock.

 

BR stockholders will have a reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management.

 

After the merger’s completion, BR stockholders will own a significantly smaller percentage of ConocoPhillips than they currently own of BR. Following completion of the merger, BR stockholders will own approximately 16% of the combined company. Consequently BR stockholders will have less influence over the management and policies of ConocoPhillips than they currently have over the management and policies of BR.

 

The opinions obtained by BR from its financial advisors will not reflect changes in circumstances between signing the merger agreement and the completion of the merger.

 

Each of Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, BR’s financial advisors, has delivered a “fairness opinion” to the BR board of directors. Each opinion states that, as of December 12, 2005, the consideration to be received by BR stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to BR stockholders. The opinions do not reflect changes that may occur or may have occurred after December 12, 2005, including changes to the operations and prospects of BR or ConocoPhillips, changes in general market and economic conditions or other factors. Any such changes, or other factors on which the opinions are based, may significantly alter the value of BR or ConocoPhillips or the prices of shares of BR common stock or ConocoPhillips common stock by the time the merger is completed. The opinions do not speak as of the time the merger will be completed or as of any date other than the date of such opinions. For a description of the opinions that BR received from its financial advisors, see “Opinions of BR’s Financial Advisors” beginning on page 43. For a description of the other factors considered by BR’s board of directors in determining to approve the merger, see “The Merger—BR’s Reasons for the Merger and the BR Board’s Recommendation” beginning on page 29.

 

Risk Factors Relating to ConocoPhillips

 

ConocoPhillips is an international integrated energy company with a diversified business portfolio, strong balance sheet, and a history of generating sufficient cash to fund capital expenditure and investment programs and to pay dividends. Nevertheless, some inherent risks could materially impact ConocoPhillips’ financial results of operations or financial condition.

 

ConocoPhillips is exposed to the effects of changing commodity prices.

 

ConocoPhillips is primarily in a commodities business with a history of price volatility. Many of the factors influencing the prices of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and refined products are beyond ConocoPhillips’ control. Generally, ConocoPhillips’ policy is to remain exposed to market prices of commodities; however, ConocoPhillips’ management may elect to use derivative instruments to hedge the price risk of the ConocoPhillips’ crude oil and natural gas production, as well as refinery margins, although there can be no assurance that those hedging strategies, if employed, will be successful. A significant, persistent decline in commodity prices may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations and its capital expenditure and investment plans.

 

The scope of ConocoPhillips’ business will decline if it does not successfully develop resources.

 

The rate of production from oil and natural gas properties generally declines as reserves are depleted. Except to the extent ConocoPhillips acquires additional properties containing proved reserves, conducts successful exploration and development activities or, through engineering studies, identifies additional secondary

 

22


Table of Contents

recovery reserves, ConocoPhillips’ proved reserves will decline materially as it produces oil and natural gas. Accordingly, if it is not successful in replacing the crude oil and natural gas it produces with good prospects for future production, its business will decline. Creating and maintaining an inventory of projects depends on many factors, including obtaining rights to explore, develop and produce hydrocarbons in promising areas, drilling success, ability to bring long lead-time, capital intensive projects to completion on budget and on schedule, and efficient and profitable operation of mature properties.

 

ConocoPhillips’ operations could be disrupted by natural or human factors.

 

ConocoPhillips operates in both urban areas and remote and sometimes inhospitable regions. ConocoPhillips’ operations and facilities are therefore subject to disruption from either natural or human causes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other forms of severe weather, war, civil unrest and other political events, fires and explosions. All such hazards could result in loss of human life, significant property and equipment damage, environmental pollution, impairment of operations and substantial losses to ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips maintains insurance against many, but not all, potential losses or liabilities arising from these operating hazards in amounts that it believes to be prudent. Uninsured losses and liabilities arising from operating hazards could reduce the funds available to ConocoPhillips for exploration, drilling, production and other capital expenditures and could materially reduce ConocoPhillips’ profitability.

 

ConocoPhillips’ business subjects it to liability risks.

 

ConocoPhillips produces, transports, refines and markets materials with potential toxicity, and it purchases, handles and disposes of other potentially toxic materials in the course of its business. ConocoPhillips’ operations also produce byproducts, some of which may be considered pollutants. Any of these activities could result in liability, either as a result of an accidental, unlawful discharge or as a result of new conclusions on the effects of the ConocoPhillips’ operations on human health or the environment.

 

Political instability could harm ConocoPhillips’ business.

 

ConocoPhillips’ operations, particularly exploration and production, can be affected by changing economic, regulatory and political environments in the various countries in which it operates. As has occurred in the past, actions could be taken by host governments to increase public ownership of ConocoPhillips’ partially or wholly owned businesses, and/or to impose additional taxes or royalties.

 

In some locations, host governments have imposed restrictions, controls and taxes, and in others, political conditions have existed that may threaten the safety of employees and ConocoPhillips’ continued presence in those countries. Internal unrest, acts of violence or strained relations between a host government and ConocoPhillips or other governments may affect ConocoPhillips’ operations. Those developments have, at times, significantly affected ConocoPhillips’ related operations and results, and are carefully considered by management when evaluating the level of current and future activity in such countries.

 

23


Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This proxy statement/prospectus and the SEC filings that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus contain or incorporate by reference forward-looking statements that have been made pursuant to the provisions of, and in reliance on the safe harbor under, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “projects,” “estimates” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. In that event, BR’s or ConocoPhillips’ business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected, and investors in BR’s or ConocoPhillips’ securities could lose part or all of their investment. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus or, in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the date referenced in those documents. We are not obligated to update these statements or publicly release the result of any revision to them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus or, in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the date referenced in those documents, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

You should understand that the following important factors, in addition to those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, and in the documents which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, could affect the future results of ConocoPhillips and BR, and of the combined company after the completion of the merger, and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements:

 

Economic and Industry Conditions

 

    materially adverse changes in economic, financial or industry conditions generally or in the markets served by our companies

 

    the competitiveness of alternative energy sources or product substitutes

 

    actions of competitors

 

    fluctuations in crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices

 

    refining and marketing margins

 

    petrochemicals prices and competitive conditions affecting supply and demand for aromatics, olefins and additives products

 

    changes in demographics and consumer preferences

 

    international monetary conditions and exchange controls

 

Transaction or Commercial Factors

 

    the outcome of negotiations with partners, governments, suppliers, unions, customers or others

 

    our ability to successfully integrate the operations of ConocoPhillips and BR after the merger and to minimize the diversion of management’s attention and resources during the integration process

 

    the process of, or conditions imposed in connection with, obtaining regulatory approvals for the merger

 

24


Table of Contents

Political/Governmental Factors

 

    political instability or civil unrest in the areas of the world relating to our operations

 

    political developments and laws and regulations, such as forced divestiture of assets, restrictions on production or on imports or exports, price controls, tax increases and retroactive tax claims, expropriation of assets, cancellation of contract rights, and environmental laws or regulations

 

    potential liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations, under environmental regulations

 

    liability for litigation

 

    inability to timely obtain permits, comply with government regulations or make capital expenditures required to maintain compliance

 

Operating Factors

 

    changes of business, operations, results and prospects

 

    potential failure to achieve expected production from existing and future oil and natural gas development projects due to operating hazards, drilling risks and the inherent uncertainties in predicting oil and gas reserves and oil and gas reservoir performance

 

    potential delays in the development, construction or start-up of planned projects

 

    successful introduction of new products

 

    labor relations

 

    accidents or technical difficulties

 

    changes in operating conditions and costs

 

    weather and natural disasters

 

    failure of new products and services to gain market acceptance

 

    operation and financing of joint ventures

 

    unsuccessful exploratory drilling activities

 

    failure to complete definitive agreements and feasibility studies for, and to timely complete construction of, announced and future projects and facilities

 

Technology Factors

 

    crude oil, natural gas and petrochemical project advancement

 

    the development and use of new technology—including liquified natural gas technology—by us or our competitors

 

    unexpected changes in costs or technological requirements for constructing, modifying or operating facilities for exploration and production projects, manufacturing or refining.

 

25


Table of Contents

THE MERGER

 

General

 

BR’s board of directors is using this document to solicit proxies from the holders of BR common stock for use at the BR special meeting, at which holders of BR common stock will be asked to vote upon approval and adoption of the merger agreement. In addition, ConocoPhillips is sending this document to BR stockholders as a prospectus in connection with the issuance of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in exchange for shares of BR common stock in the merger.

 

The Companies

 

ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips is an international, integrated energy company, known worldwide for its technological expertise in deepwater exploration and production, reservoir management and exploitation, 3-D seismic technology, petroleum coke upgrading and sulfur removal from petroleum feedstocks. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips, operating in more than 40 countries, had approximately 35,800 employees worldwide and assets of $104 billion at September 30, 2005. ConocoPhillips has four core activities worldwide: petroleum exploration and production; petroleum refining, marketing, supply and transportation; natural gas gathering, processing and marketing; and chemicals and plastics production and distribution. In addition, ConocoPhillips is investing in several emerging businesses—fuels technology, gas-to-liquids, power generation and emerging technologies—that provide current and potential future growth opportunities.

 

Cello Acquisition Corp. Cello Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips, was incorporated in Delaware on December 12, 2005, solely for the purpose of effecting the merger with BR. It has not carried on any activities other than in connection with the merger agreement. Cello Acquisition Corp.’s principal place of business is located at 600 North Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas 77079 and its telephone number is (281) 293-1000.

 

BR. BR is one of the world’s leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies with a focus on natural gas, long-life reserves, strong cash flow generation throughout the business cycle, and high expertise in managing major development programs and maximizing recovery from geologically complex reservoirs. BR has assembled an international portfolio that offers a combination of current production growth and long-term potential. Headquartered in Houston, BR employs more than 2,200 people, with major offices located in Calgary, Alberta; London, England; Farmington, New Mexico; Midland, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas.

 

Background of the Merger

 

The board of directors and senior management of BR periodically discuss BR’s long-range plans and consider alternative strategies for increasing stockholder value. In addition to discussing worldwide oil and natural gas exploration and development opportunities, midstream and downstream ventures and possible acquisitions of properties and smaller companies within the industry, BR has from time to time considered business combinations with equal or larger size companies.

 

In recent years, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of BR, Bobby S. Shackouls, has periodically met with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ConocoPhillips, James J. Mulva, to discuss general industry conditions and the activities of industry organizations to which both companies belong. They discussed ConocoPhillips’ potential interest in a business combination with BR, but no specific proposals were communicated to Mr. Shackouls. During this period, Mr. Shackouls from time to time engaged in discussions with senior management of other smaller, equal size or larger oil and gas companies, but none of these discussions led to any business combination transaction.

 

26


Table of Contents

ConocoPhillips’ board of directors and senior management regularly discuss various strategies for the company to increase stockholder value. These discussions have from time to time included the possibility

of business combinations with a number of other companies, including BR, as well as numerous other possibilities. On October 17, 2005, Mr. Mulva had discussions with Mr. Shackouls regarding general industry matters and they discussed scheduling a lunch meeting. In anticipation of the lunch meeting with Mr. Shackouls, Mr. Mulva briefed the ConocoPhillips board of directors on November 9, 2005 with respect to a

potential meeting with BR that could result in discussions regarding a possible business combination between the two companies. The ConocoPhillips board of directors authorized Mr. Mulva to meet again with Mr. Shackouls and pursue discussions if he deemed it appropriate, subject to further review by the ConocoPhillips board of directors.

 

Messrs. Shackouls and Mulva met on November 14, 2005, and discussed, among other things, whether it would be appropriate to consider a combination of the companies at that time. At that meeting, Mr. Mulva suggested that he and other ConocoPhillips senior executives meet with Mr. Shackouls and other BR senior executives to discuss a potential business combination. Mr. Shackouls indicated that he would confer with the BR board of directors about Mr. Mulva’s suggestion. Mr. Shackouls subsequently discussed Mr. Mulva’s suggestion with the members of the BR board of directors. It was the consensus of the directors that Mr. Shackouls, together with BR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Randy L. Limbacher, and Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development, Steven J. Shapiro, attend the meeting proposed by Mr. Mulva and report back to the BR board of directors.

 

On November 30, 2005, Messrs. Shackouls, Limbacher and Shapiro met in Houston, Texas with Mr. Mulva, John E. Lowe, Executive Vice President—Planning, Strategy and Corporate Affairs of ConocoPhillips, and John A. Carrig, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ConocoPhillips. The ConocoPhillips senior management team outlined a possible merger transaction in which the purchase price would be based on a combination of cash and stock, at a fixed exchange ratio, not subject to adjustment, and BR stockholders would receive a premium for their shares as well as the opportunity to participate, through a significant equity interest, in the future growth of a combined ConocoPhillips/BR. The ConocoPhillips management also discussed the complementary fit between the two companies’ assets and operations, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, and the potential to create long-term value through a global, integrated oil and natural gas company with a strong North American natural gas position and a diversified portfolio. They also discussed the possible role of Mr. Limbacher in a new combined organization, as well as possible representation for BR directors on the board of directors of ConocoPhillips. It was understood that the combined company would have a broader emphasis on upstream activities and that Mr. Limbacher’s experience and expertise were such that he would be able to play a significant role in the combined enterprise. The presentation by ConocoPhillips management suggested a price representing a 15% premium over an average BR stock price. Mr. Mulva suggested that the parties proceed with a mutual due diligence review, subject to a confidentiality agreement, and negotiation of a merger agreement within a two-week time frame. Mr. Shackouls noted that a 15% share price premium, which at the time represented a price in the low $80 per share range, would likely not be acceptable to BR’s board of directors but that Mr. Shackouls would report back to the BR board of directors on the substance of the discussions with ConocoPhillips.

 

On December 2, 2005, Mr. Shackouls reported by telephone to the members of the BR board of directors the substance of the November 30, 2005 meeting with ConocoPhillips senior management. Later that day, Mr. Shackouls advised Mr. Mulva that the BR board of directors had concurred with management’s recommendation not to pursue discussions about a possible business combination. Mr. Mulva responded that the ConocoPhillips senior management team had subsequent to the parties’ prior meeting discussed offering a combination of cash and ConocoPhillips stock that would result in an $85-$90 per share value to BR stockholders. Mr. Shackouls indicated that, if ConocoPhillips was willing to consider a transaction that would provide a value to BR stockholders of not less than $90 per share, he would present that proposal to the BR board of directors.

 

27


Table of Contents

Mr. Mulva contacted Mr. Shackouls by telephone on December 4, 2005. He advised that, subject to confirmatory due diligence and approval of the ConocoPhillips board of directors, ConocoPhillips management was prepared to recommend a transaction in which BR stockholders would receive consideration comprising 50% cash and 50% ConocoPhillips stock, equating to approximately $91 for each share of BR common stock to be based on the closing prices of ConocoPhillips common stock prior to the date of entering into the merger agreement. Mr. Mulva also discussed certain other possible terms of a merger agreement, including a 3% break-up fee payable in various circumstances, including a change in the BR board of directors’ recommendation of the merger, and a requirement that BR hold a stockholders meeting to vote on the merger even if the BR board of directors had withdrawn its recommendation, and other related provisions, and proposed that two BR directors be included on the combined company’s board of directors. Mr. Mulva suggested that the companies promptly commence due diligence and negotiations, with the goal of reaching final agreement by December 13, 2005. Mr. Shackouls agreed at that time to consult with BR’s board of directors and, if supported by BR’s board of directors, to proceed with due diligence and preliminary discussions about the terms of a possible transaction.

 

On December 5, 2005, Mr. Shackouls consulted with all the members of the BR board of directors and they authorized BR management to proceed with the execution of a confidentiality agreement and due diligence.

 

BR and ConocoPhillips executed a confidentiality agreement on December 5, 2005, following which the parties exchanged certain non-public information. On December 7, 2005, members of BR’s senior management and representatives of BR’s financial advisor, Morgan Stanley, met with members of ConocoPhillips’ senior management to review each company’s long-range plans, business strategies, operations, principal properties, financial statements, capital budgets, contingent liabilities, legal and environmental matters and other related topics.

 

On December 6, 2005, ConocoPhillips furnished to BR a draft of a proposed merger agreement. Between December 5 and December 12, 2005, various discussions also took place between Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, counsel to ConocoPhillips, and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, counsel to BR.

 

On December 9, 2005, the ConocoPhillips board of directors met. ConocoPhillips’ management updated the ConocoPhillips board of directors on the status of discussions with BR and the due diligence process. The ConocoPhillips board of directors also reviewed the potential strategic and other benefits of a merger with BR and discussed other strategic issues. They also received a legal presentation from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. After a discussion, ConocoPhillips’ board of directors authorized Mr. Mulva and ConocoPhillips’ senior management to continue discussions with BR.

 

On December 10, 2005, the BR board of directors met with BR’s senior management and BR’s financial and legal advisors. BR’s management updated the BR board of directors on the status of discussions with ConocoPhillips and the due diligence process. The BR board of directors also reviewed BR’s long-range strategic plan, potential strategic alternatives and the potential strategic and other benefits of a merger with ConocoPhillips. They also received a legal presentation from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP and a preliminary financial presentation from Morgan Stanley. After a discussion, BR’s board of directors instructed Mr. Shackouls to continue discussions with ConocoPhillips, focusing on price, certainty of consummation, deal protection provisions and retention of key operational personnel.

 

On December 11, 2005, Mr. Shackouls contacted Mr. Mulva to discuss the key issues raised by the BR board of directors in its December 10 meeting. Mr. Shackouls requested that ConocoPhillips improve its price proposal. Mr. Shackouls also indicated that BR expected ConocoPhillips to assume all regulatory risk in connection with a transaction, to reduce its requested break-up fee of 3%, to provide that a break-up fee would be payable only upon signing or consummation of another deal (and not merely upon a change by BR’s board of directors of its recommendation of the deal), to give BR the right to terminate the merger agreement for a superior offer, and to work with BR to provide appropriate protections to employees of BR who would be important to a successful transition for the combined company. Mr. Mulva initially indicated that he would not

 

28


Table of Contents

be able to respond to Mr. Shackouls’ requests until the following day. However, later that same evening, after learning that the press was reporting rumors of a potential transaction, Mr. Mulva contacted Mr. Shackouls again. He proposed that BR stockholders would receive $46.50 in cash and 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock for each share of BR common stock owned, which equated to approximately $92 per share based on the closing sale price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005. Mr. Mulva also proposed a break-up fee of $1.0 billion (approximately 2.8% of the equity value based upon a price of $92 per share) and substantially agreed to the other principal terms suggested by Mr. Shackouls. Mr. Mulva and Mr. Shackouls agreed to work to finalize a transaction by the following evening, subject to approval by the two companies’ respective boards of directors.

 

Mr. Shackouls and other members of BR’s senior management contacted members of the BR board of directors by telephone that evening to brief them on the developments and discuss their availability for a December 12, 2005 meeting of the BR board of directors. That same evening, counsel to BR provided comments on the draft merger agreement to ConocoPhillips’ counsel.

 

On the morning of December 12, 2005, Mr. Shackouls convened a telephone conference call to update the members of the BR board of directors. A board meeting was scheduled for later that day.

 

During the day of December 12, 2005, Mr. Mulva convened a telephonic board meeting of the ConocoPhillips board of directors to discuss further the potential transaction with BR. At the board meeting, the ConocoPhillips board of directors reviewed with senior management and ConocoPhillips’ financial and legal advisors the proposed merger. ConocoPhillips’ senior management provided an update on the status of discussions. Legal counsel reviewed with the ConocoPhillips’ board of directors the material terms of the proposed merger agreement. Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., ConocoPhillips’ financial advisors, each gave a financial presentation and orally delivered their opinions to the board of directors of ConocoPhillips as to the fairness of the merger consideration, from a financial point of view, to ConocoPhillips. After discussion and consideration, the ConocoPhillips board of directors approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

During the course of the day, the parties and their counsel worked to finalize the terms of the merger agreement.

 

On the afternoon of December 12, 2005, the BR board of directors met with senior management and BR’s financial and legal advisors to review the proposed merger. At that meeting, BR’s management provided an update on the status of discussions. Legal counsel reviewed with the BR board of directors the material terms of the proposed merger agreement. Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, BR’s financial advisors, each gave a financial presentation and orally delivered their opinions as to the fairness of the merger consideration, from a financial point of view, to BR stockholders subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in their opinions. After discussion and consideration of the factors described under “—BR’s Reasons for the Merger and the BR Board’s Recommendation,” the BR board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

On the evening of December 12, 2005, BR and ConocoPhillips executed the merger agreement and later that evening the parties publicly announced that they had entered into a definitive agreement.

 

BR’s Reasons for the Merger and the BR Board’s Recommendation

 

The BR board of directors, at a special meeting held on December 12, 2005, unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, were advisable and in the best interests of BR and its stockholders. The BR board of directors has approved the merger agreement and unanimously recommends BR stockholders vote “FOR” approval and adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.

 

29


Table of Contents

In reaching its decision, the BR board of directors consulted with BR’s management and its financial and legal advisors in this transaction. In concluding that the merger is in the best interests of BR and its stockholders, the BR board of directors considered a variety of factors, including the following material factors:

 

    The merger consideration of $46.50 in cash plus 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock (with a combined value equal to $92 per share based upon the closing sale price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to press accounts speculating that BR and ConocoPhillips were engaged in merger discussions), represents a premium of approximately 28.1% to the average closing price of the BR common stock for the 30 days ending on December 9, 2005, and approximately 20.9% to the closing sale price of the BR common stock on December 9, 2005.

 

    The BR board of directors considered the opinions of each of Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan, BR’s financial advisors, that, as of December 12, 2005, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the opinions, the consideration to be paid to BR stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to the stockholders of BR. See “Opinions of BR’s Financial Advisors” beginning on page 43.

 

    BR stockholders will receive a substantial cash payment for their shares, while at the same time retaining a large equity stake in the combined company, which will afford BR stockholders the opportunity to participate in the future financial performance of a larger, more diversified, global, integrated energy company. The BR board of directors noted that ConocoPhillips was one of the five largest integrated energy companies in the world and further noted the complementary strategic fit between BR, whose business is heavily weighted towards North American natural gas exploration and production, and ConocoPhillips, whose exploration and production business is weighted more towards oil and includes a significantly greater exposure to international oil and gas projects. The combined company will become a leading producer of natural gas in North America.

 

    Stock prices of oil and gas companies are highly sensitive to changes in commodity prices. BR’s common stock has recently traded at an all-time high, reflecting recent prices of North American natural gas which, in the view of BR’s management, were affected by the Gulf of Mexico hurricane season that significantly impacted energy supply and infrastructure. The BR board of directors, with BR’s management and financial advisors, reviewed overall market conditions, including current and anticipated prospective commodity prices and recent trading prices for BR common stock. While future prices for natural gas and oil could be higher or lower than the levels as of the date of execution of the merger agreement, the BR board of directors believed, in light of current market conditions, that the timing of the transaction was favorable to BR.

 

    Because of geographic overlaps between BR’s principal exploration and production assets and the Canadian and Lower-48 domestic exploration and production assets of ConocoPhillips, the BR board of directors believed that the combined company should realize operational benefits from the combination of these assets, as well as achieve cost savings and other synergies. The BR board of directors noted that no assurances can be given that any particular level of cost savings or synergies will be achieved.

 

    The BR board of directors noted that the common stock of ConocoPhillips currently trades at lower multiples of earnings and cash flows than the stocks of other major, integrated oil and gas companies and that there may be potential for BR stockholders to realize additional value over time through appreciation of ConocoPhillips common stock. The BR board of directors also noted that ConocoPhillips has historically provided higher dividend yields to its stockholders than BR has historically provided to its stockholders.

 

   

The BR board of directors considered possible alternatives to the merger, including the possibility of an alternative transaction with a third party. The BR board of directors believed that a limited number of other companies might potentially have an interest in a business combination transaction with BR. The BR board of directors believed that it was uncertain that another third party would have an interest in such a transaction and concluded that there was no assurance that solicitation of alternative proposals from third parties would lead to a proposal that would be more favorable to BR stockholders than the

 

30


Table of Contents
 

transaction proposed by ConocoPhillips. Moreover, the BR board of directors recognized that soliciting alternative proposals would take time and could result in ConocoPhillips withdrawing or reducing its offer. In light of the benefits of the merger transaction with ConocoPhillips, the BR board of directors determined not to solicit alternative proposals prior to execution of the merger agreement with ConocoPhillips. The BR board of directors noted that the merger agreement permits BR, under certain circumstances, to provide information to and engage in discussions with third parties, and to terminate the merger agreement for a superior proposal. The BR board of directors considered potential values realizable by remaining an independent company and pursuing BR’s long-range plan on a stand-alone basis, including under scenarios involving a possible leveraged recapitalization. The BR board of directors noted that results achieved under BR’s long-term stand-alone business plan would be highly dependant upon future commodity prices and BR’s ability to maintain or add to the level of its proved reserves and to offset expected declines in future production from its principal producing assets, including through acquisitions of additional properties. The BR board of directors noted that the long-range plan would take time to execute and would require substantial expenditures by BR.

 

    The BR board of directors, with the assistance of its advisors, considered the general terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including the parties’ representations, warranties and covenants, the conditions to their respective obligations as well as the likelihood of consummation of the merger, the proposed transaction structure, the termination provisions of the agreement and the BR board of directors evaluation of the likely time period necessary to close the transaction. The BR board of directors considered the following specific aspects of the merger agreement:

 

  The limited nature of the closing conditions included in the merger agreement, including the absence of any financing contingency and the fact that the transaction is not subject to approval by ConocoPhillips stockholders, and the likelihood of satisfaction of all conditions to the consummation of the merger. In this regard, under the merger agreement, ConocoPhillips is required to take all actions necessary to obtain regulatory approvals. ConocoPhillips is generally obligated to close the merger notwithstanding any breaches of BR’s representations and warranties, unless those breaches would in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on BR taken as a whole. The BR board of directors noted that a material adverse effect excludes effects of changes in general regulatory or economic conditions, changes in industry conditions, including changes in commodity prices, and changes resulting from the execution, announcement or pendency of the merger.

 

  The merger agreement provides for a fixed exchange ratio with respect to the stock portion of the merger consideration, regardless of any change in the value of ConocoPhillips stock between signing and closing of the merger. Although BR stockholders will not receive additional consideration if the price of ConocoPhillips common stock is lower at the time of closing than prior to the signing of the merger agreement and will receive lesser value, BR stockholders will receive the benefit of any increase in value of ConocoPhillips common stock as well as a substantial cash payment that will not be affected by any change in the stock price of ConocoPhillips.

 

 

BR is not permitted to actively solicit alternative proposals although, subject to the limitations and restrictions in the merger agreement, the BR board of directors is permitted to furnish information to and engage in negotiations with a third party who submits an alternative proposal and change its recommendation to BR stockholders and/or to terminate the merger agreement if BR receives a superior proposal. Prior to changing its recommendation or terminating the merger agreement by reason of a superior proposal, BR must inform ConocoPhillips of the material terms of the alternative transaction and afford ConocoPhillips not less than three business days to submit a revised proposal. In addition, under certain circumstances, BR is obligated to pay to ConocoPhillips a termination fee of $1.0 billion in cash if the merger agreement is terminated. It is possible that these provisions could discourage a competing proposal to acquire BR or reduce the price in an alternative transaction; however, after considering factors including, among other

 

31


Table of Contents
 

things, its discussions with BR’s financial and legal advisors, the BR board of directors concluded that these provisions should not preclude another party from making a competing proposal.

 

  ConocoPhillips has agreed (1) to honor BR’s benefit plans in accordance with their terms, (2) to provide continuing BR employees, for at least 18 months following completion of the merger, with compensation and employee benefits under either BR’s benefit plans or under ConocoPhillips benefit plans that, in the aggregate, are no less favorable than BR’s benefit plans and (3) to permit BR to establish a retention program for key non-executive operations and operations-related employees who are expected to remain with the combined company.

 

  The merger is subject to the approval and adoption of the merger agreement by a majority of the outstanding shares of BR common stock. BR stockholders who do not vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement are entitled to appraisal rights under Delaware law. See “—Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 39.

 

    After considering the above matters, the BR board of directors concluded that the merger was in the best interests of the stockholders of BR.

 

In the course of its deliberations, the BR board of directors also considered a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors, including the following:

 

    Because the merger agreement provides for a fixed exchange ratio, if the price of ConocoPhillips common stock at the time of closing is lower than the price as of the time of signing, the value received by holders of BR common stock in the merger could be materially less than the value as of the date of the merger agreement.

 

    The risks of the type and nature described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18.

 

    The restrictions on solicitation of alternative proposals, the right of ConocoPhillips to obtain information with respect to any alternative proposals and to a three business day negotiating period after receipt by BR of a superior proposal, and the termination fee provisions, described above. As previously noted, it is possible that these provisions could discourage a competing proposal to acquire BR or reduce the price in an alternative transaction; however, as described above, after considering factors including among other things its discussions with BR’s financial and legal advisors, the BR board of directors concluded that these provisions should not preclude another party from making a competing proposal.

 

    Certain of BR’s directors and officers may have conflicts of interest in connection with the merger, as they may receive certain benefits that are different from, and in addition to, those of BR’s other stockholders. See “Interests of BR Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 58.

 

    BR may incur significant risks and costs if the merger does not close, including the diversion of management and employee attention during the period after the signing of the merger agreement, potential employee attrition and the potential effect on BR’s business and relations with customers and service providers. In that regard, under the merger agreement, BR must conduct its business in the ordinary course and is subject to a variety of other restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to completion of the merger or termination of the merger agreement, which may delay or prevent BR from undertaking business opportunities that may arise or preclude actions that would be advisable if BR were to remain an independent public company.

 

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors discussed by the BR board of directors is not exhaustive but does include the material factors considered by the BR board of directors. The BR board of directors did not quantify or assign any relative or specific weight to the various factors that it considered. Rather, the BR board of directors based its recommendation on the totality of the information presented to and considered by it. In addition, individual members of the BR board of directors may have given different weight to different factors.

 

32


Table of Contents

ConocoPhillips’ Reasons for the Merger

 

The ConocoPhillips board of directors has approved the merger agreement and believes the complementary assets and strategies of ConocoPhillips and BR, in combination with their personnel, technical expertise and financial strength, will create a company with capabilities and resources better positioned to succeed and grow in the new competitive energy marketplace. The ConocoPhillips board of directors approved the merger agreement after ConocoPhillips’ senior management discussed with the ConocoPhillips board of directors the business, assets, liabilities, results and operations, financial performance and prospects, and possibilities of continued growth of BR.

 

ConocoPhillips believes the merger joins two well-managed companies, providing strategic and financial benefits to stockholders of ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips expects the benefits to include:

 

    creation of a leading North American natural gas position comprised of high-quality, long-lived, low-risk gas reserves with significant unconventional resource potential and enhanced production growth;

 

    enhanced business mix with a higher proportion of exploration and production assets, assets in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and North American natural gas;

 

    significant free cash flow and synergy benefits; and

 

    access to BR’s talented and technically capable workforce.

 

Accounting Treatment

 

The combination of the two companies will be accounted for as an acquisition of BR by ConocoPhillips using the purchase method of accounting.

 

The purchase price (reflecting the cash consideration and the weighted average price of ConocoPhillips’ common stock two days before, two days after and the first trading day after the transaction was announced on the evening of Monday, December 12, 2005) will be allocated to BR’s identifiable assets and liabilities based on their respective estimated fair values at the closing date of the acquisition, and any excess of the purchase price over those fair values will be accounted for as goodwill. The valuation of BR’s assets and liabilities and the finalization of plans for restructuring after the closing of the merger have not yet been completed. The allocation of the purchase price reflected in this proxy statement/prospectus may be revised as additional information becomes available.

 

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

 

In the opinion of White & Case LLP, U.S. tax counsel to BR, the following discussion sets forth, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and subject to the assumptions and limitations contained herein, the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of BR common stock. This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. This discussion is based upon the Code, the regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department and court and administrative rulings and decisions in effect and available on the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, any of which may change, possibly retroactively. Such a change could affect the continuing validity of this discussion.

 

For purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of BR common stock who for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

 

    a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof;

 

33


Table of Contents
    a trust that (i) is subject to (a) the primary supervision of a court within the United States and (b) the authority of one or more U.S. persons to control all substantial decisions or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or

 

    an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income regardless of its source.

 

If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds BR common stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partners and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding BR common stock, you should consult your tax advisors.

 

A “non-U.S. holder” of BR common stock is a holder, other than an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is not a U.S. holder.

 

This discussion assumes that you hold your shares of BR common stock as capital assets within the meaning of the Code. Further, except as specifically set forth below, this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances or that may be applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including if you are:

 

    a financial institution;

 

    a tax-exempt organization;

 

    an S corporation or other pass-through entity:

 

    an insurance company;

 

    a mutual fund;

 

    a dealer in stocks and securities, or foreign currencies;

 

    a trader in securities who elects the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities;

 

    a holder of BR common stock subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code;

 

    a holder of BR common stock who received his or her BR common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan;

 

    certain expatriates or a person that has a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;

 

    a regulated investment company;

 

    a real estate investment trust;

 

    a controlled foreign corporation;

 

    a passive foreign investment company;

 

    a non-U.S. holder who actually or constructively owns or has owned, at any time during the five-year period up to and including the effective time, more than a 5% equity interest in BR;

 

    a holder of options granted under any BR benefit plan; or

 

    a holder of BR common stock who holds BR common stock as part of a hedge against currency risk, a straddle or a constructive sale or a conversion transaction.

 

Holders of BR common stock are strongly urged to consult their tax advisors as to the specific tax considerations of the merger, including the applicability and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax laws in their particular circumstances.

 

In General—Merger

 

Completion of the merger is conditioned on, among other things, the receipt by each of BR and ConocoPhillips of tax opinions from White & Case LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, respectively, that

 

34


Table of Contents

for U.S. federal income tax purposes the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. These opinions will be based on certain assumptions and on representation letters provided by ConocoPhillips and BR to be delivered at the time of closing.

 

ConocoPhillips and BR have not and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding any matters relating to the merger, and as a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions described herein. The following discussion assumes that the merger will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

U.S. Holders

 

If the merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, then, based on the above assumptions and qualifications, the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders of BR common stock are as follows:

 

    subject to the paragraph captioned “—Additional Considerations—Recharacterization of Gain as a Dividend” below, upon exchanging BR common stock for a combination of cash and shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in the merger, you will recognize gain (but not loss) in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the cash (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock) that you receive in the merger and (y) the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of the cash (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock) and the fair market value of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock you receive (including any fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock you are deemed to receive and exchange for cash), over (ii) your tax basis in the BR common stock surrendered in the merger;

 

    your aggregate tax basis in the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock that you receive in the merger (before reduction for the basis in any fractional share interest you are deemed to receive and exchange for cash) will equal your aggregate tax basis in the BR common stock you surrendered in the merger, increased by the amount of taxable gain, if any, you recognize on the exchange (not including any gain recognized as a result of cash received in lieu of a fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock) and decreased by the amount of any cash received by you in the merger (excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock); and

 

    your holding period for the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock that you receive in the merger (including any fractional share interest that you are deemed to receive and exchange for cash) will include your holding period for the shares of BR common stock that you surrender in the exchange.

 

If you acquired different blocks of BR common stock at different times or at different prices, any gain or loss will be determined separately with respect to each block of BR common stock, and the cash and shares of ConocoPhillips common stock you receive will be allocated pro rata to each such block of stock. In addition, your basis and holding period in your shares of ConocoPhillips common stock may be determined with reference to each block of BR common stock.

 

Taxation of Capital Gain. Except as described under “—Additional Considerations—Recharacterization of Gain as a Dividend” below, gain that you recognize in connection with the merger generally will constitute capital gain and will constitute long-term capital gain if you have held (or are treated as having held) your BR common stock for more than one year as of the date of the merger. If you are a non-corporate holder of BR common stock, long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15%.

 

Additional Considerations—Recharacterization of Gain as a Dividend. All or part of the gain you recognize could be treated as ordinary dividend income rather than capital gain if (i) you are a significant stockholder of ConocoPhillips or (ii) your percentage ownership, taking into account constructive ownership rules, in ConocoPhillips after the merger is not meaningfully reduced from what your percentage ownership would have been if you had received solely shares of ConocoPhillips common stock rather than a combination of cash and shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in the merger. This could happen, for example, because of ownership of

 

35


Table of Contents

additional shares of ConocoPhillips common stock by you, ownership of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock by a person related to you or a share repurchase by ConocoPhillips from other holders of ConocoPhillips common stock. The IRS has indicated in rulings that any reduction in the interest of a minority stockholder that owns a small number of shares in a publicly and widely held corporation and that exercises no control over corporate affairs would result in capital gain as opposed to dividend treatment. Because the possibility of dividend treatment depends primarily upon your particular circumstances, including the application of certain constructive ownership rules, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the potential tax consequences of the merger to you. Under the constructive ownership rules, a stockholder may be deemed to own stock that is owned by others, such as a family member, trust, corporation or other entity. If you are an individual, certain dividends may be subject to reduced rates of taxation, equal to the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. However, individuals who fail to meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are unprotected from a risk of loss or who elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4)(B) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the foregoing rules to your particular circumstances.

 

Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares. You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of ConocoPhillips common stock equal to the difference between the amount of cash received instead of a fractional share and the portion of your basis in ConocoPhillips common stock allocated to such fractional share. Any such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held (or are treated as having held) your BR common stock for more than one year at the time of the merger.

 

Dissenting Stockholders. Holders of BR common stock who dissent with respect to the merger, as discussed in “—Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 39, and who receive cash in respect of their shares of BR common stock will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and their aggregate tax basis in their shares.

 

Reporting Requirements. If you receive shares of ConocoPhillips common stock as a result of the merger, you will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger and you will be required to attach to your U.S. federal income tax return for the year in which the merger takes place a statement setting forth all relevant facts relating to the merger. At a minimum, the statement must include (i) the stockholder’s tax basis in the BR common stock surrendered and (ii) the fair market value, as of the time of the effective date of the merger, of the ConocoPhillips common stock received in exchange therefor.

 

Backup Withholding. Holders of BR common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding on any proceeds received in connection with the merger. You will not be subject to backup withholding, however, if you:

 

    furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien) not subject to backup withholding on the substitute Form W-9 you will receive;

 

    are a corporation and, when required, demonstrate that fact and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules; or

 

    otherwise establish that you are exempt from backup withholding.

 

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided you furnish the required information to the IRS. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. holders, such as U.S. expatriates, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, persons who actually or constructively own, or have owned, more than 5% of BR’s equity at any time during the five-year period ending at the effective time, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax. Such non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

 

36


Table of Contents

The following discussion assumes that BR common stock will continue to be regularly traded on the NYSE leading up to and as of the effective time of the merger, and that ConocoPhillips common stock will continue to be regularly traded on the NYSE as of and after the effective time of the merger, such that, in each case, BR common stock and ConocoPhillips common stock will be considered to be “regularly traded on an established securities market” for purposes of the Code.

 

As a result of the merger, you will recognize gain (all or part of which could be recharacterized as a dividend) to the same extent that a U.S. holder will recognize gain as described above under the headings “—In General—Merger—U.S. Holders.” Subject to the discussion below under the subheading “Additional Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders—Recharacterization of Gain as a Dividend,” any gain you recognize will constitute capital gain and will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:

 

    you are an individual, you are present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the exchange, and certain other requirements are met; or

 

    such gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to your U.S. permanent establishment.

 

If you are described in the first bullet above, you will be subject to a flat 30% tax on any gain recognized, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses. If you are described in the second bullet above, you will be subject to tax on your gain at applicable U.S. federal income tax rates and, in addition, may be subject to a branch profits tax (if you are a corporation) equal to 30% (or lesser rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on your effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, which would include such gain.

 

Additional Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders—Recharacterization of Gain as a Dividend. All or part of the gain you recognize could be treated as ordinary dividend income rather than capital gain if (i) you are a significant stockholder of ConocoPhillips or (ii) your percentage ownership, taking into account constructive ownership rules, in ConocoPhillips after the merger is not meaningfully reduced from what your percentage ownership would have been if you had received solely shares of ConocoPhillips common stock rather than a combination of cash and shares of ConocoPhillips common stock in the merger. This could happen, for example, because of ownership of additional shares of ConocoPhillips common stock by you, ownership of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock by a person related to you or a share repurchase by ConocoPhillips from other holders of ConocoPhillips common stock. The IRS has indicated in rulings that any reduction in the interest of a minority stockholder that owns a small number of shares in a publicly and widely held corporation and that exercises no control over corporate affairs would result in capital gain as opposed to dividend treatment. Because the possibility of dividend treatment depends primarily upon your particular circumstances, including the application of certain constructive ownership rules, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the potential tax consequences of the merger to you. Under the constructive ownership rules, a stockholder may be deemed to own stock that is owned by others, such as a family member, trust, corporation or other entity. Thus, all or part of the gain you recognize could be treated as dividend income and could be subject to withholding at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States or, if certain tax treaties apply, are attributable to your U.S. permanent establishment, are not subject to withholding tax, but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated rates. Special certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied for effectively connected income to be exempt from withholding. If you are a corporation, any such effectively connected dividend received by you may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

If you wish to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate (and avoid backup withholding as discussed below) for dividends, you must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form claiming exemption from, or reduction in the rate of, withholding.

 

If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amount withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

 

37


Table of Contents

Ownership of ConocoPhillips Common Stock. Special rules may apply to certain holders of ConocoPhillips common stock received as a result of the merger that are not U.S. persons for purposes of the Code, such as controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, persons who actually or constructively own, or have owned, more than 5% of ConocoPhillips’ equity at any time during the five-year period ending at the applicable date of determination, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax. Such holders are urged to consult their own advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

 

As a result of the merger, you will hold ConocoPhillips common stock. Dividends paid to you (to the extent paid out of ConocoPhillips’ current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with respect to such shares of ConocoPhillips common stock will be subject to withholding at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business within the United States or, if certain tax treaties apply, are attributable to your U.S. permanent establishment, are not subject to withholding tax, but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated rates. Special certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied for effectively connected income to be exempt from withholding. If you are a corporation, any such effectively connected dividend received by you may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

If you wish to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate (and avoid backup withholding as discussed below) for dividends, you must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form claiming exemption from, or reduction in the rate of, withholding.

 

If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amount withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

 

You generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain recognized on a sale or other disposition of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock, subject to the exceptions described under the third and fourth paragraphs of the heading “—Non-U.S. Holders.”

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. U.S. backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to certain payments to certain non-corporate holders of stock. Information reporting generally will apply to payments of dividends on, and to proceeds from the sale or redemption of, common stock made within the United States to a holder of common stock, other than an exempt recipient, including a corporation, a payee that is not a U.S. person that provides an appropriate certification and certain other persons. A payor will be required to withhold backup withholding tax from any payments of dividends on, or the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, common stock within the United States to a holder, other than an exempt recipient, if such holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, such backup withholding tax requirements. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided you furnish the required information to the Internal Revenue Service. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 28%.

 

This discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent upon, the individual circumstances of holders of BR common stock. Moreover, it does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state or local tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of the merger to holders of BR common stock will depend upon the facts of their particular situation. Accordingly, we strongly urge holders of BR common stock to consult with their tax advisors to determine the particular federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences to them as a result of the merger.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Certain regulatory requirements imposed by U.S. and foreign regulatory authorities must be complied with before the merger is completed.

 

 

38


Table of Contents

U.S. Antitrust. Under the HSR Act and the related rules and regulations, the merger may not be completed until notifications have been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and specified waiting period requirements have been satisfied. The initial waiting period is 30 days after both parties have filed the applicable notifications, but this period may be extended if the reviewing agency issues a formal request for additional information and documentary material, referred to as a second request. If the reviewing agency issues a second request, the parties may not complete the merger until 30 days after both parties substantially comply with the second request, unless the waiting period is terminated earlier by the reviewing agency or extended with the parties’ consent.

 

Other Competition Laws. ConocoPhillips and BR conduct operations in a number of other jurisdictions where other regulatory filings may be required or advisable in connection with the completion of the merger. Under the merger agreement, we are required to obtain these approvals prior to completing the merger, except where the failure to obtain such approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on BR. We currently expect to obtain approvals or otherwise file merger notifications in certain jurisdictions, including Canada.

 

General. At any time before or after the completion of the merger, the Federal Trade Commission, the Antitrust Division, foreign competition authorities, or state attorneys general could take action under the antitrust laws, as they deem necessary or desirable in the public interest, seeking to enjoin completion of the merger, to rescind the merger, or conditionally to approve the merger upon the divestiture of particular assets of ConocoPhillips or BR. Private parties also may seek to take action under the antitrust laws under certain circumstances. As in every transaction, there can be no assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if such challenge is made, that it would not be successful. Nor can we assure you that the necessary regulatory approvals will not contain terms, conditions or restrictions that would be detrimental to ConocoPhillips after the completion of the merger. Under the terms of the merger agreement, ConocoPhillips is required to take all actions necessary to obtain regulatory approvals.

 

Appraisal Rights

 

Under Delaware law, holders of shares of BR common stock who do not wish to accept the merger consideration may elect to have the fair value of their shares of BR common stock judicially determined and paid in cash, together with a fair rate of interest, if any. The valuation will exclude any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger. A stockholder may only exercise these appraisal rights by strictly complying with the provisions of Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL.

 

The following summary of the provisions of DGCL Section 262 is not a complete statement of the law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of DGCL Section 262, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D. If you wish to exercise appraisal rights or wish to preserve your right to do so, you should carefully review DGCL Section 262 and are urged to consult a legal advisor.

 

All references in DGCL Section 262 and in this summary to a “stockholder” are to the record holder of shares of BR common stock as to which appraisal rights are asserted. A person having a beneficial interest in shares of BR common stock held of record in the name of another person, such as a broker or nominee, must act promptly to cause the record holder to follow properly the steps summarized below and in a timely manner to perfect appraisal rights.

 

Under DGCL Section 262, if a proposed merger is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, as in the case of BR’s special meeting, BR, not less than twenty days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its stockholders entitled to appraisal rights that these appraisal rights are available and include in the notice a copy of DGCL Section 262. This proxy statement/prospectus constitutes notice to the BR stockholders and the applicable statutory provisions of the DGCL are attached as Annex D to this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

39


Table of Contents

If you wish to exercise the right to demand appraisal under DGCL Section 262 of the DGCL, you must satisfy each of the following conditions:

 

    You must deliver to BR a written demand for appraisal of your shares of BR common stock before the vote on the merger agreement at BR’s special meeting. This demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs BR of your identity and that you intend by that writing to demand the appraisal of your shares of BR common stock. Voting against, abstaining from voting on or failing to vote on the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement will not alone constitute a written demand for appraisal within the meaning of DGCL Section 262. The written demand for appraisal must be in addition to and separate from any proxy you deliver or vote you cast in person.

 

    You must not vote your shares of BR common stock in favor of approval and adoption of the merger agreement. A proxy that does not contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of approval and adoption of the merger agreement. Therefore, if you vote by proxy and wish to exercise appraisal rights, you must vote against the approval and adoption of the merger agreement or mark your proxy card to indicate that you abstain from voting on the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

    You must continuously hold your shares of BR common stock from the date of making the demand through the completion of the merger. If you are the record holder of shares of BR common stock on the date the written demand for appraisal is made but you thereafter transfer those shares prior to the completion of the merger, you will lose any right to appraisal in respect of those shares.

 

Only a holder of record of shares of BR common stock is entitled to demand an exercise of appraisal rights for those shares registered in that holder’s name. Therefore, demand for appraisal should be executed by or on behalf of the stockholder of record, fully and correctly, as its name appears on the share transfer records of BR.

 

If the shares of BR common stock are owned of record by a person in a fiduciary capacity, such as a trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be executed in that capacity. If the shares of BR common stock are owned of record by more than one person as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of all of the owners of record. An authorized agent, including an agent for two or more joint owners, may execute a demand for appraisal on behalf of a stockholder; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as agent for such owner or owners. A record holder, such as a broker, who holds shares as nominee for several beneficial owners may exercise appraisal rights with respect to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising these rights with respect to the shares held for one or more other beneficial owners. In that case, the written demand should set forth the number of shares as to which appraisal is sought, and where no number of shares is expressly mentioned the demand will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the record holder.

 

Stockholders who hold their shares of BR common stock in brokerage accounts or other nominee forms and who wish to exercise appraisal rights are urged to consult with their brokers to determine appropriate procedures for making a demand for appraisal.

 

A stockholder who elects to exercise appraisal rights under DGCL Section 262 should mail or deliver a written demand for appraisal to:

 

Burlington Resources Inc.

Corporate Secretary

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100

Houston, Texas 77002

 

Within ten days after the completion of the merger, ConocoPhillips must send a notice as to the completion of the merger to each of BR’s former stockholders who has made a written demand for appraisal in accordance with DGCL Section 262 and who has not voted to approve and adopt the merger agreement. Within 120 days

 

40


Table of Contents

after the completion of the merger, but not after that date, either ConocoPhillips or any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of DGCL Section 262 may file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of BR common stock held by all stockholders demanding appraisal of their shares. ConocoPhillips is under no obligation to, and has no present intent to, file a petition for appraisal, and stockholders seeking to exercise appraisal rights should not assume that ConocoPhillips will file a petition or that it will initiate any negotiations with respect to the fair value of the shares. Accordingly, stockholders who desire to have their shares appraised should initiate any petitions necessary for the perfection of their appraisal rights within the time periods and in the manner prescribed in DGCL Section 262. Since ConocoPhillips has no obligation to file a petition, the failure of affected stockholders to do so within the period specified could nullify any previous written demand for appraisal.

 

Within 120 days after the completion of the merger, any stockholder who complies with the provisions of DGCL Section 262 to that point in time will be entitled to receive from ConocoPhillips, upon written request, a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares of BR common stock not voted in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and with respect to which BR received demands for appraisal and the aggregate number of holders of those shares. ConocoPhillips must mail this statement to the stockholder by the later of ten days after receipt of the request and ten days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under DGCL Section 262. As used in this paragraph and throughout the remainder of this section, references to ConocoPhillips mean the corporation that survives the merger.

 

A stockholder who timely files a petition for appraisal with the Delaware Court of Chancery must serve a copy upon ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips must, within 20 days, file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded appraisal of their shares of BR common stock and who have not reached agreements with it as to the value of their shares. After notice to stockholders as may be ordered by the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Delaware Court of Chancery is empowered to conduct a hearing on the petition to determine which stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights. The Delaware Court of Chancery may require stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares of BR common stock and who hold shares represented by certificates to submit their certificates to the Register in Chancery for notation on the certificates of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings, and if any stockholder fails to comply with the requirement, the Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to that stockholder.

 

After determining which stockholders are entitled to an appraisal, the Delaware Court of Chancery will appraise the “fair value” of their shares of BR common stock. This value will exclude any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, but will include a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. The costs of the action may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and taxed upon the parties as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems equitable. However, costs do not include attorneys’ or expert witness fees. Upon application of a stockholder, the Delaware Court of Chancery may also order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding be charged pro rata against the value of all of the shares entitled to appraisal. These expenses may include, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and the fees and expenses of experts. Stockholders considering seeking appraisal should be aware that the fair value of their shares as determined under DGCL Section 262 could be more than, the same as, or less than the value of the merger consideration they would be entitled to receive pursuant to the merger agreement if they did not seek appraisal of their shares. Stockholders should also be aware that investment banking opinions as to fairness from a financial point of view are not opinions as to fair value under DGCL Section 262.

 

In determining fair value and, if applicable, a fair rate of interest, the Delaware Court of Chancery is to take into account all relevant factors. In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that “proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered, and that “fair price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of a company.”

 

41


Table of Contents

DGCL Section 262 provides that fair value is to be “exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger.” In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court stated that such exclusion is a “narrow exclusion [that] does not encompass known elements of value,” but which rather applies only to the speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment or expectation. In Weinberger, the Delaware Supreme Court construed DGCL Section 262 to mean that “elements of future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered.” Any stockholder who has duly demanded an appraisal in compliance with DGCL Section 262 will not, after the completion of the merger, be entitled to vote the shares of BR common stock subject to that demand for any purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other distributions on those shares. However, stockholders will be entitled to dividends or other distributions payable to holders of record of shares of BR common stock as of a record date prior to the completion of the merger.

 

Any stockholder may withdraw its demand for appraisal and accept the merger consideration by delivering to ConocoPhillips a written withdrawal of the stockholder’s demands for appraisal. Any attempt to withdraw made more than 60 days after the effectiveness of the merger will require the written approval of ConocoPhillips and no appraisal proceeding before the Delaware Court of Chancery as to any stockholder will be dismissed without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and this approval may be conditioned upon any terms the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just. If ConocoPhillips does not approve a stockholder’s request to withdraw a demand for appraisal when the approval is required or if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not approve the dismissal of an appraisal proceeding, the stockholder would be entitled to receive only the appraised value determined in any such appraisal proceeding. This value could be higher or lower than, or the same as, the value of the merger consideration. Failure to strictly follow the steps required by DGCL Section 262 for perfecting appraisal rights may result in the loss of appraisal rights, in which event dissenting BR stockholders will be entitled to receive the consideration with respect to their dissenting shares in accordance with the merger agreement. In view of the complexity of the provisions of DGCL Section 262, if you are considering exercising your appraisal rights under the DGCL, you are urged to consult your own legal advisor.

 

Federal Securities Laws Consequences; Stock Transfer Restriction Agreements

 

This proxy statement/prospectus does not cover any resales of the ConocoPhillips common stock to be received by the stockholders of BR upon completion of the merger, and no person is authorized to make any use of this proxy statement/prospectus in connection with any such resale.

 

All shares of ConocoPhillips common stock received by BR stockholders in the merger will be freely transferable, except that shares of ConocoPhillips common stock received by persons who are deemed to be “affiliates” of BR under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time of the BR meeting may be resold by them only in transactions permitted by Rule 145 under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of BR for such purposes generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control with BR and include directors and executive officers of BR. The merger agreement requires BR to use its reasonable best efforts to cause its affiliates to execute a written agreement to the effect that they will not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock issued to them in the merger in violation of the Securities Act or the related SEC rules.

 

42


Table of Contents

OPINIONS OF BR’S FINANCIAL ADVISORS

 

Opinion of Morgan Stanley

 

BR retained Morgan Stanley to act as its financial advisor and to provide a financial fairness opinion to the board of directors of BR in connection with the merger. The BR board of directors selected Morgan Stanley to act as BR’s financial advisor based on Morgan Stanley’s qualifications, experience, reputation and its knowledge of the business of BR. At the meeting of the BR board of directors on December 12, 2005, Morgan Stanley rendered its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing as of December 12, 2005, that, based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of shares of BR common stock pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders.

 

The full text of Morgan Stanley’s opinion, dated December 12, 2005, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations of the review undertaken in rendering its opinion is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus. The summary of Morgan Stanley’s fairness opinion set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. BR stockholders should read this opinion carefully and in its entirety. Morgan Stanley’s opinion is directed to the board of directors of BR, addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration to be received by holders of BR common stock pursuant to the merger agreement, and does not address any other aspect of the merger. Morgan Stanley’s opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholders of BR as to how such stockholders should vote with respect to the proposed transaction.

 

In connection with rendering its opinion, Morgan Stanley, among other things:

 

    reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and other business and financial information of BR and ConocoPhillips;

 

    reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating data, including internal oil and gas reserve and production estimates, concerning BR prepared by the management of BR;

 

    reviewed certain financial projections prepared by the management of BR;

 

    discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and the prospects of BR, including internal oil and gas reserve and production estimates, with senior management of BR;

 

    reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating data, including internal oil and gas reserve and production estimates, concerning ConocoPhillips prepared by the management of ConocoPhillips;

 

    reviewed certain financial projections prepared by the management of ConocoPhillips;

 

    discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and the prospects of ConocoPhillips, including internal oil and gas reserve and production estimates, with senior management of ConocoPhillips;

 

    reviewed the pro forma impact of the merger on ConocoPhillips’ earnings per share, cash flow per share, return on capital employed, and oil and gas reserves and production;

 

    reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for BR common stock and ConocoPhillips common stock;

 

    compared the financial performance of BR and the prices and trading activity of BR common stock with that of certain other comparable publicly traded companies and their securities;

 

    compared the financial performance of ConocoPhillips and the prices and trading activity of ConocoPhillips common stock with that of certain other comparable publicly traded companies and their securities;

 

43


Table of Contents
    reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain comparable acquisition transactions;

 

    reviewed certain summaries of proved reserves prepared by BR and ConocoPhillips and reviewed certain reserve audit letters prepared by BR’s independent reserve engineers;

 

    discussed the strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the Merger and the strategic rationale for the merger with senior management of BR and ConocoPhillips;

 

    participated in discussions among representatives of BR and ConocoPhillips;

 

    reviewed the draft merger agreement; and

 

    performed such other analyses and considered such other factors as Morgan Stanley deemed appropriate.

 

In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the information supplied or otherwise made available to Morgan Stanley by BR and ConocoPhillips for the purposes of its opinion. With respect to the financial projections and other financial and operating data, Morgan Stanley assumed that they were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the future financial performance of BR and ConocoPhillips. Morgan Stanley relied upon, without independent verification, the assessment by the management of BR and ConocoPhillips of the strategic rationale of the merger, including information related to certain strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the merger. In addition, Morgan Stanley assumed that the merger would be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement without material modification, waiver or delay, including among other things, that the merger will be treated as a reorganization, pursuant to the Code. Morgan Stanley assumed that in connection with the receipt of all the necessary regulatory approvals for the proposed merger, no restrictions would be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits expected to be derived in the proposed merger. Morgan Stanley did not make any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of BR or ConocoPhillips. With respect to the reserve estimates and reports referred to above, Morgan Stanley is not an expert in the engineering evaluation of oil and gas properties and, with the BR board’s consent, it relied, without independent verification, solely upon the internal reserve estimates of BR and ConocoPhillips. In addition, Morgan Stanley is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and it relied, without independent verification, on the assessment of BR and ConocoPhillips and their advisors with respect to such matters. Morgan Stanley’s opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of December 12, 2005.

 

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by Morgan Stanley in connection with its opinion dated as of December 12, 2005. In connection with arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley considered all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis described below. Some of these summaries include information in tabular format. To understand fully the financial analyses used by Morgan Stanley, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the analyses.

 

In arriving at its opinion regarding the consideration to be paid to holders of BR common stock, Morgan Stanley calculated the implied consideration per share of BR common stock on the basis that the consideration for shares of BR common stock in the merger would consist of $46.50 in cash and 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock. As a result, Morgan Stanley calculated that the implied consideration was $92.00 per share of BR common stock as of December 9, 2005, which was the sum of $46.50 in cash plus $45.50 (which equals 0.7214 multiplied by $63.07, the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to press accounts speculating that BR and ConocoPhillips were engaged in merger discussions).

 

44


Table of Contents

Historical Share Price Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley performed a historical share price analysis to obtain background information and perspective with respect to the relative historical share prices of BR and of ConocoPhillips’ common stock. Consequently, Morgan Stanley reviewed the historical price performance of BR and ConocoPhillips common stock from December 9, 2002, through December 9, 2005. For the period from December 9, 2002, through December 9, 2005, the closing price of BR’s common stock ranged from $20.60 to $82.75 and ConocoPhillips’ common stock ranged from $22.66 to $70.91. Morgan Stanley noted that the closing price of BR common stock on December 9, 2005, was $76.09 per share and the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock was $63.07 per share. Morgan Stanley also noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

Analyst Price Targets

 

Morgan Stanley reviewed the range of publicly available equity research analyst price targets for BR. Morgan Stanley discounted these twelve month price targets by an estimated cost of equity of 10%. This analysis resulted in a range of values of $59.00 to $100.00 per share of BR common stock. Morgan Stanley noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

Comparable Company Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley performed a comparable company analysis, which attempted to provide an implied value for BR by comparing it to similar companies. For purposes of its analysis, Morgan Stanley reviewed certain public market trading multiples for the following six public companies which, based on its experience with companies in the energy industry, Morgan Stanley considered similar to BR in size and business mix:

 

    Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

 

    Apache Corp.

 

    Chesapeake Energy Corp.

 

    Devon Energy Corp.

 

    Encana Corp.

 

    EOG Resources, Inc.

 

Selected multiples, which are commonly used by participants and investors in the energy industry, for BR and each of the comparable companies were reviewed in this analysis. The selected multiples analyzed for these companies included the following:

 

    the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated cash flow per share;

 

    the aggregate market value divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated EBITDA; and

 

    the aggregate market value divided by 2004 year-end proved reserves plus adjustments for certain acquisition activity where available.

 

Morgan Stanley calculated these financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of December 9, 2005.

 

45


Table of Contents

A summary of the range of market trading multiples of the comparable companies and those multiples calculated for BR are set forth below:

 

Metric


  

    Comparable    

Companies

Range of
Multiples


  

Implied

  Transaction  

Multiple


   BR

Price / 2006E Cash Flow

   3.8x – 6.8x    6.7x    5.5x

Price / 2007E Cash Flow

   4.8x – 7.3x    7.7x    6.4x

Aggregate Value / 2006E EBITDA

   3.9x – 6.2x    5.5x    4.6x

Aggregate Value / 2007E EBITDA

   4.3x – 6.8x    6.6x    5.5x

Aggregate Value / Proved Reserves ($/mcfe)

   $1.83 – $3.98    $2.96    $2.46

 

Morgan Stanley, based on its experience with mergers and acquisitions and companies in the energy industry and taking into account the ranges expressed above, selected for its comparable company analysis of BR, a representative multiple range of per share price divided by 2006 estimated cash flow per share of 5.0x to 6.5x, a range of per share price divided by 2007 estimated cash flow per share of 5.5x to 7.0x, a range of aggregate value divided by 2006 estimated EBITDA of 4.5x to 6.0x, a range of aggregate value divided by 2007 estimated EBITDA of 5.0x to 6.5x and a range of aggregate value divided by total proved reserves of $2.50 to $3.25 per thousand cubic feet of gas equivalent, or mcfe.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley calculated an implied valuation range for BR common stock of $69 to $90 per share based on price divided by 2006 estimated cash flow multiple range, $66 to $84 based on price divided by 2007 estimated cash flow multiple range, $75 to $100 based on aggregate value divided by 2006 estimated EBITDA multiple range, $69 to $90 based on aggregate value divided by 2007 estimated EBITDA multiple range and $77 to $101 based on aggregate value divided by total proved reserves multiple range. Morgan Stanley noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

Morgan Stanley also reviewed and analyzed certain public market trading multiples for public companies similar to ConocoPhillips from a size and business mix perspective. For purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley identified the following seven publicly traded companies which, based on its experience with companies in the energy industry, Morgan Stanley considered similar to ConocoPhillips in size and business mix:

 

    BP PLC

 

    Chevron Corp.

 

    ExxonMobil Corp.

 

    Marathon Oil Corp.

 

    Occidental Petroleum Corp.

 

    Royal Dutch / Shell Group

 

    Total S.A.

 

The selected multiples analyzed for these companies included the following:

 

    the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated earnings per share;

 

    the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated cash flow per share; and

 

    the aggregate market value divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated EBITDA.

 

Morgan Stanley calculated these financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of December 9, 2005.

 

46


Table of Contents

A summary of the range of market trading multiples of the comparable companies and those multiples calculated for ConocoPhillips are set forth below:

 

Metric


  

Comparable Companies

    Range of Multiples    


   Average

   ConocoPhillips

Price / 2006E Earnings

   7.0x – 10.8x    9.1x    6.9x

Price / 2007E Earnings

   7.8x – 11.6x    9.6x    7.1x

Price / 2006E Cash Flow

   5.1x – 8.4x    6.4x    4.8x

Price / 2007E Cash Flow

   4.8x – 8.9x    6.8x    4.8x

Aggregate Value / 2006E EBITDA

   4.0x – 6.3x    4.8x    3.6x

Aggregate Value / 2007E EBITDA

   4.0x – 7.6x    5.1x    3.6x

 

Morgan Stanley also reviewed and analyzed certain public market trading multiples for public companies that have refining and marketing operations that are similar to the refining and marketing operations of ConocoPhillips. For purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley identified the following four publicly traded companies which, based on its experience with companies in the energy industry, Morgan Stanley considered similar to ConocoPhillips based on their refining & marketing operations:

 

    Marathon Oil Corp.

 

    Tesoro Corp.

 

    Valero Energy Corp.

 

    Sunoco, Inc.

 

The selected multiples analyzed for these companies included the following:

 

    the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated earnings per share;

 

    the per share price divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated cash flow per share; and

 

    the aggregate market value divided by 2006 and 2007 estimated EBITDA.

 

Morgan Stanley calculated these financial multiples and ratios based on publicly available financial data as of December 9, 2005.

 

A summary of the range of market trading multiples of the refining and marketing comparable companies and those multiples calculated for ConocoPhillips are set forth below:

 

Metric


  

Comparable Companies

Range of Multiples


   Average

   ConocoPhillips

Price / 2006E Earnings

   7.0x – 10.3x    7.9x    6.9x

Price / 2007E Earnings

   7.8x – 12.1x    9.1x    7.1x

Price / 2006E Cash Flow

   5.1x – 6.6x    5.7x    4.8x

Price / 2007E Cash Flow

   4.8x – 7.0x    5.7x    4.8x

Aggregate Value / 2006E EBITDA

   3.8x – 5.4x    4.4x    3.6x

Aggregate Value / 2007E EBITDA

   3.7x – 6.0x    4.7x    3.6x

 

Although the foregoing companies were compared to BR and ConocoPhillips for purposes of this analysis, Morgan Stanley noted that no company utilized in this analysis is identical to BR or ConocoPhillips because of differences between the business mix, regulatory environment, operations and other characteristics of BR,

 

47


Table of Contents

ConocoPhillips and the comparable companies. In evaluating the comparable companies, Morgan Stanley made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of BR and ConocoPhillips, such as the impact of competition on the business of BR and ConocoPhillips and on the industry generally, industry growth and the absence of any adverse material change in the financial condition and prospects of BR and ConocoPhillips or the industry or in the markets generally. Mathematical analysis (such as determining the average or median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable company data.

 

Selected Precedent Corporate Transaction Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley reviewed and compared the proposed financial terms and the premium implied in the ConocoPhillips/BR merger to corresponding publicly available financial terms and premia of selected transactions. In selecting these transactions, Morgan Stanley reviewed certain corporate transactions from January 1, 2003 to December 12, 2005 in the energy industry. In its analysis, Morgan Stanley reviewed the following precedent transactions as of the announcement date:

 

    10/13/2005 - Occidental Petroleum Corp. / Vintage Petroleum Inc.

 

    10/3/2005 - Chesapeake Energy Corp / Columbia Natural Resources

 

    9/12/2005 - Mariner Energy Inc. / Forest Oil Corp.

 

    7/19/2005 - El Paso Corp. / Medicine Bow Energy Corp.

 

    4/4/2005 - ChevronTexaco Corp. / Unocal Corp.

 

    1/26/2005 - Cimarex Energy Co. / Magnum Hunter Resources Inc.

 

    12/16/2004 - Noble Energy, Inc / Patina Oil & Gas Corp

 

    6/9/2004 - Petro-Canada / Prima Energy Corp.

 

    5/24/2004 - Forest Oil Corp. / The Wiser Oil Co.

 

    5/4/2004 - Pioneer Natural Resources Co. / Evergreen Resources, Inc.

 

    4/15/2004 - EnCana Corp. / Tom Brown, Inc.

 

    4/7/2004 - Kerr-McGee Corp. / Westport Resources Corp.

 

    2/12/2004 - Plains Exploration and Production Co. / Nuevo Energy Co.

 

    2/24/2003 - Devon Energy Corp. / Ocean Energy, Inc.

 

Morgan Stanley derived from these selected transactions a reference multiple range of aggregate value divided by one year forward EBITDA. The aggregate value divided by one year forward EBITDA multiple range for the selected transactions ranged from 3.6x to 9.3x. Morgan Stanley selected an aggregate value divided by one year forward EBITDA multiple range of 4.5x to 5.5x based on the precedent transactions as listed above and applied that range to BR’s 2006 estimated EBITDA which resulted in a valuation range of $75.00 to $92.00. Morgan Stanley noted that the transaction multiple of aggregate value divided by one year forward EBITDA based on $92.00 of implied consideration per share was 5.5x as of December 9, 2005.

 

Morgan Stanley also derived from these selected transactions a reference range of aggregate value per proved mcfe of reserves. Multiples ranged from $0.76 per proved mcfe to $3.76 per proved mcfe for the selected transactions. Morgan Stanley selected an aggregate value per proved reserve multiple range of $2.50 to $3.25 per proved mcfe based on the precedent transactions as listed above and applied that range to BR’s 2004 year-end proved reserves adjusted for certain acquisition activity, which resulted in a valuation range of $77.00 to $101.00. Morgan Stanley noted that the transaction multiple on an aggregate value per proved reserve as of BR’s 2004 year-end based on $92.00 of implied consideration per share was $2.96 per proved mcfe.

 

48


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley also derived from these selected transactions a reference range of premia paid relative to the trading share prices four weeks prior to and trading share prices one day prior to the deal. The premium paid relative to the share price four weeks prior to deal announcement ranged from approximately 3% to 34%, while the premium paid relative to the share price one day prior to deal announcement ranged from approximately (4)% to 34%. Morgan Stanley then selected a premia range of 10% to 25% based on the precedent transactions as listed above and applied that range to the BR common stock price of $76.09 as of December 9, 2005, which resulted in a valuation range of approximately $84.00 to $95.00 per share of BR common stock. Morgan Stanley noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

No transaction utilized in the selected precedent transactions analysis is identical to the merger. In evaluating the transactions, Morgan Stanley made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of BR or ConocoPhillips, such as the impact of competition on BR or ConocoPhillips and the industry generally, industry growth and the absence of any adverse material change in the financial condition and prospects of BR or ConocoPhillips or in the financial markets in general. Mathematical analysis, such as determining the mean or median, or the high or the low, is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable transaction data.

 

Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley analyzed BR as the sum of its constituent assets, or as the “sum-of-the-parts,” to determine an implied valuation range for BR common stock. Morgan Stanley, based upon aggregate transaction values divided by proved reserves in precedent transactions and on its experience with mergers and acquisitions and companies in the energy industry, estimated reference ranges for the valuation metrics of these assets. Morgan Stanley calculated an implied pre-tax sum-of-the-parts valuation range for BR common stock of $83.00 to $104.00 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley also analyzed the value of BR using a discounted cash flow analysis. This discounted after-tax unlevered free cash flow analysis, calculated as of January 1, 2006, was based on four years of BR management projections and a terminal value range calculated based on a forward Aggregate Value/EBITDA multiple range of 5.0 to 6.0x. Additionally, Morgan Stanley performed sensitivity analyses on oil and gas prices based on production and cost projections provided by management. The range of discount rates utilized in this analysis was 8% to 10%, which was chosen based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of BR and other comparable companies. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley calculated a discounted cash flow value of $50.00 to $94.00 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

Morgan Stanley also analyzed the net asset value of BR using a discounted cash flow analysis based on BR’s 2004 Form 10-K reserve report provided by BR management. Additionally, Morgan Stanley performed sensitivity analyses on oil and gas prices based on the reserve report and applied a range of discount rates from 8% to 10%, which was chosen based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of BR and other comparable companies. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley calculated a net asset value ranging from $40.00 to $63.00 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the implied consideration per share was $92.00 as of December 9, 2005.

 

Morgan Stanley also analyzed the value of ConocoPhillips using a discounted cash flow analysis. This discounted after-tax unlevered free cash flow analysis, calculated as of January 1, 2006, was based on five years

 

49


Table of Contents

of ConocoPhillips management projections and a terminal value range calculated based on a forward Aggregate Value/EBITDA multiple range of 5.0x to 6.0x. Additionally, Morgan Stanley performed sensitivity cases on oil and gas prices based on production and cost projections provided by ConocoPhillips management. The range of discount rates utilized in this analysis was 8% to 10%, which was chosen based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of ConocoPhillips and other comparable companies. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley calculated a discounted cash flow value of $60.00 to $111.00 per share. Morgan Stanley noted that the per share price for ConocoPhillips common stock was $63.07 per share as of December 9, 2005.

 

Contribution Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley compared the contribution, based on research analyst estimates and I/B/E/S estimates, of each of BR and ConocoPhillips to pro forma combined company statistics. The implied contribution by BR, based on a variety of operating and market statistics, ranged from 14.8% to 25.4%. Morgan Stanley noted that an implied consideration price of $92.00 per share of BR common stock implied a 1.46x exchange ratio based on the closing price of ConocoPhillips’ common stock on December 9, 2005 of $63.07 per share, and assuming 100% stock consideration, the pro forma ownership of the combined company by BR common stockholders was approximately 28.2%.

 

Pro Forma Analysis

 

Morgan Stanley analyzed the pro forma impact of the acquisition on ConocoPhillips’ pro forma earnings per share and pro forma cash flow per share. Such analysis was based on 2006 and 2007 earnings and cash flow projections based on I/B/E/S estimates, BR management estimates for BR and ConocoPhillips management estimates adjusted for BR management commodity pricing assumptions for ConocoPhillips, and management estimates adjusted for forward strip pricing. The analysis was based on transaction consideration consisting of $46.50 in cash and 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock for each share of BR common stock and assumed annual pre-tax synergies of $350 million. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Morgan Stanley observed that the earnings per share impact of the merger for ConocoPhillips stockholders ranged from 0.1% accretion to 5.2% dilution in 2006 and 2.5% dilution to 11.9% dilution in 2007. Morgan Stanley also observed that the cash flow per share impact of the acquisition for ConocoPhillips stockholders ranged from 5.9% accretion to 8.3% accretion in 2006 and 2.8% accretion to 5.9% accretion in 2007. The analysis did not take into account any one-time charges.

 

Furthermore, Morgan Stanley analyzed the pro forma impact of the merger on ConocoPhillips’ return on capital employed in 2006. Such analysis was based on 2006 earnings projections based on I/B/E/S estimates. The analysis assumed a purchase price of $92.00 per share of BR common stock, which represented an exchange ratio of 1.46x based on the per share closing price of ConocoPhillips’ common stock on December 9, 2005, and assuming 100% equity consideration. Based on these assumptions, Morgan Stanley calculated the stand-alone return on capital employed of 21.1% and pro forma return on capital employed of 15.6%.

 

Morgan Stanley performed a variety of financial and comparable analyses for purposes of rendering its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley considered the results of all of its analyses as a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley believes that the summary provided and the analyses described above must be considered as a whole and that selecting any portion of the analyses, without considering all of them, would create an incomplete view of the process underlying Morgan Stanley’s analysis and opinion. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described above should not be taken to be the view of Morgan Stanley with respect to the actual value of BR or ConocoPhillips or their common stock. In arriving at its opinion, Morgan Stanley was not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any party with respect to the acquisition of BR or any of its assets.

 

50


Table of Contents

In performing its analyses, Morgan Stanley made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business, regulatory and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Morgan Stanley, BR or ConocoPhillips. Any estimates contained in the analysis of Morgan Stanley are not necessarily indicative of future results or actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such estimates. The analyses performed were prepared solely as part of the analyses of Morgan Stanley of the fairness of the consideration to be received by holders of shares of BR common stock pursuant to the merger agreement from a financial point of view, and were prepared in connection with the delivery by Morgan Stanley of its opinion on December 12, 2005 to BR’s board of directors.

 

The merger consideration was determined through arm’s-length negotiations between BR and ConocoPhillips and was approved by BR’s board of directors. Morgan Stanley provided advice to BR during these negotiations. Morgan Stanley did not, however, recommend any specific merger consideration to BR or that any specific merger consideration constituted the only appropriate merger consideration for the merger.

 

Morgan Stanley’s opinion and its presentation to BR’s board of directors was one of many factors taken into consideration by BR’s board of directors in deciding to approve, adopt and authorize the merger agreement. Consequently, the analyses as described above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of BR’s board of directors with respect to the merger consideration or of whether BR’s board of directors would have been willing to agree to a different merger consideration. Moreover, these analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which shares of common stock of BR might actually trade. The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Morgan Stanley.

 

Morgan Stanley is an internationally recognized investment banking and advisory firm. Morgan Stanley, as part of its investment banking business, is continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for corporate, estate and other purposes. In the ordinary course of its business, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may from time to time trade in the securities or the indebtedness of BR, ConocoPhillips and their affiliates or any currencies or commodities (or derivative thereof) for its own account, the accounts of investment funds and other clients under the management of Morgan Stanley and for the accounts of its customers and accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities, indebtedness, currencies or commodities (or derivative thereof) for any such account. In the past, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates have provided financial advisory and financing services for both BR and ConocoPhillips and have received fees from ConocoPhillips and BR for the rendering of these services. Morgan Stanley is a participant in BR’s $1.5 billion revolving credit facility that expires in August 2010. Morgan Stanley is also a participant in ConocoPhillips’ $5.0 billion in revolving credit facilities that expire in October 2010. In addition, James Runde, a director of BR, is also a Special Advisor of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley may also seek to provide such services to ConocoPhillips in the future and may receive fees in connection with such services.

 

Pursuant to an engagement letter dated December 6, 2005, BR has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a customary transaction fee, a significant portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. BR has also agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for its fees and expenses incurred in performing its services. In addition, BR has agreed to indemnify Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, their respective directors, officers, agents and employees and each person, if any, controlling Morgan Stanley or any of its affiliates against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, related to or arising out of Morgan Stanley’s engagement and any related transactions.

 

Opinion of JPMorgan

 

BR retained JPMorgan to render an opinion to the BR board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of BR common stock of the consideration to be received by such holders in the proposed merger. JPMorgan was selected by the BR board of directors based on JPMorgan’s qualifications, reputation and experience in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and

 

51


Table of Contents

acquisitions, in general, and oil and gas transactions in particular. JPMorgan rendered its oral opinion at the meeting of BR’s board of directors on December 12, 2005 (which opinion was confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated December 12, 2005) that, as of that date, and based upon the economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to JPMorgan as of that date and the other assumptions, qualifications and limitations described in its written opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of BR common stock in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

 

The full text of JPMorgan’s written opinion dated December 12, 2005, which describes the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by JPMorgan, is attached as Annex C and is incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. JPMorgan’s opinion is addressed only to the board of directors of BR and is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view as of the date thereof, of the consideration to be received by the holders of BR common stock in the proposed merger. JPMorgan expressed no opinion as to the fairness of the proposed merger to, or any consideration of, the holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of BR or as to the underlying decision by BR to engage in the proposed merger. In addition, JPMorgan was not requested to and did not provide advice concerning the structure, the specific amount of the consideration, or any other aspects of the proposed merger, or to provide services other than the delivery of the opinion, and did not participate in negotiations with respect to the terms of the proposed merger and related transactions. The amount of the merger consideration was determined through arm’s-length negotiations between BR and ConocoPhillips. The opinion does not address the relative merits of the proposed merger as compared to other business strategies or transactions that might be available with respect to BR or the underlying business decision of BR to engage in the merger. JPMorgan was not authorized to and did not solicit any expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all or any part of BR or any other alternative transaction. Consequently, JPMorgan expressed no opinion as to whether any alternative transaction might produce consideration for BR’s stockholders in an amount in excess of that contemplated in the merger.

 

JPMorgan’s opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any BR stockholder as to how to vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the proposed merger or any other matter. BR did not provide specific instructions to, or place any limitations on, JPMorgan with respect to the procedures to be followed or factors to be considered by it in performing its analyses or providing its opinion. BR stockholders are urged to read the written opinion carefully in its entirety. The summary of JPMorgan’s opinion set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of JPMorgan’s written opinion.

 

In furnishing its opinion, JPMorgan did not admit that it is an expert within the meaning of the term “expert” as used in the Securities Act nor did it admit that its opinion constitutes a report or valuation within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

In connection with its review of the proposed merger, and in arriving at its opinion, JPMorgan, among other things:

 

    reviewed a draft dated December 12, 2005 of the merger agreement;

 

    reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning BR and ConocoPhillips and the industries in which they operate;

 

    compared the proposed financial terms of the proposed merger with the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions involving companies JPMorgan deemed relevant and the consideration received for such companies;

 

    compared the financial and operating performance of BR and ConocoPhillips with publicly available information concerning certain other companies JPMorgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of BR common stock and ConocoPhillips common stock and certain publicly traded securities of such other companies;

 

    reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the managements of BR and ConocoPhillips relating to their respective businesses;

 

52


Table of Contents
    reviewed estimates prepared by the managements of BR and ConocoPhillips of the amount and timing of the cost savings and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the proposed merger (the “Synergies”); and

 

    performed such other financial studies and analyses and considered such other information as JPMorgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion.

 

In addition, JPMorgan held discussions with certain members of the management of BR and ConocoPhillips with respect to certain aspects of the proposed merger, and the past and current business operations of BR and ConocoPhillips, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of BR and ConocoPhillips, the effects of the proposed merger on the financial condition and future prospects of BR and ConocoPhillips, and certain other matters JPMorgan believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.

 

In giving its opinion, JPMorgan relied upon and assumed, without assuming responsibility or liability for independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or was furnished to it or discussed with it by BR or ConocoPhillips or otherwise reviewed by it or for it. JPMorgan did not conduct, and was not provided, with any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities, and JPMorgan did not evaluate the solvency of BR or ConocoPhillips under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters.

 

In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to JPMorgan, including the Synergies, JPMorgan assumed that they had been reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments by management as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of BR and ConocoPhillips to which such analyses or forecasts relate. JPMorgan expressed no view as to such analyses or forecasts, including the Synergies, or the assumptions on which they were based. JPMorgan also assumed that the proposed merger would qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement would be consummated as described in the merger agreement and that the definitive merger agreement would not differ in any material respects from the draft furnished to it. JPMorgan relied as to all legal matters relevant to rendering its opinion upon the advice of counsel. JPMorgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the proposed merger would be obtained without any adverse effect on BR or ConocoPhillips or on the contemplated benefits of the proposed merger.

 

JPMorgan’s opinion was necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to it as of, the date of its opinion. It should be understood that subsequent developments may affect JPMorgan’s opinion and that JPMorgan does not have any obligation to update, revise, or reaffirm its opinion. JPMorgan expressed no opinion as to the price at which BR common stock or ConocoPhillips common stock would trade at any future time.

 

Summary of Financial Analyses of JPMorgan

 

In connection with rendering its opinion to the BR board of directors, JPMorgan performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses, including those described below. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and involves various judgments and determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant assumptions and financial analyses and the application of these methods to the particular circumstances involved. Fairness opinions are therefore not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description.

 

Accordingly, JPMorgan believes that the analyses it performed and the summary set forth below must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and factors, or focusing on information in tabular format, without considering all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses performed by JPMorgan in connection with its opinion. In arriving at its opinion, JPMorgan did not attribute any particular weight to any analyses or factors considered by it and did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or

 

53


Table of Contents

negative), considered in isolation, supported or failed to support its opinion. Rather, JPMorgan arrived at its ultimate opinion based on the results of all analyses undertaken by it and assessed as a whole, and believes that the totality of the factors considered and analyses it performed in connection with its opinion operated collectively to support its determination as to the fairness of the merger consideration to the holders of BR common stock from a financial point of view.

 

In performing its analysis, JPMorgan considered industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of BR and ConocoPhillips. The analyses performed by JPMorgan are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by the analyses. The analyses were prepared solely as part of JPMorgan’s analysis of the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by the holders of BR common stock in the proposed merger. Additionally, the analyses performed by JPMorgan relating to the values of the businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses actually may be acquired or sold.

 

JPMorgan’s opinion and financial analyses were only one of many factors considered by the BR board of directors in its evaluation of the proposed merger and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of the BR board of directors or management with respect to the proposed merger or the merger consideration.

 

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by JPMorgan in connection with providing its opinion. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses include information presented in tabular format. To fully understand the financial analyses, the tables should be read together with the text of each summary. Considering the data set forth in the tables without considering the narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the financial analyses.

 

Historical Share Price Analysis. JPMorgan reviewed the closing prices of BR’s common stock for the 52-week period ending December 9, 2005. JPMorgan observed that the range of closing prices for BR common stock was $40 to $83 per share over such period, while the value of the merger consideration, based on the closing price for ConocoPhillips common stock as of December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion, was $92 per share.

 

JPMorgan also reviewed the closing prices of ConocoPhillips’ common stock for the 52-week period ending December 9, 2005. JPMorgan observed that the range of closing prices for ConocoPhillips common stock was $41 to $71 per share over such period, while the closing price for ConocoPhillips on the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion, December 9, 2005, was $63.07 per share.

 

Equity Analyst Price Targets. JPMorgan reviewed publicly available price targets published by various firms that conduct independent research on BR to compare the value of the merger consideration as of December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion, to equity research analyst valuations of BR common stock. Analyst price targets ranged from $66 to $89, with a median price of $84, per share, while the value of the merger consideration, based on the closing price for ConocoPhillips common stock as of December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion, was $92 per share.

 

JPMorgan also reviewed publicly available price targets published by various firms that publish independent research on ConocoPhillips to compare the current trading price as of December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion, to equity research analyst valuations of ConocoPhillips. Analyst price targets ranged from $73 to $80, with a median price of $76, per share, while the closing price for ConocoPhillips common stock on the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion, December 9, 2005, was $63.07 per share.

 

Precedent Transaction Analysis. Using publicly available information, JPMorgan examined selected precedent corporate transactions. JPMorgan calculated the equity purchase price in the selected transactions as a

 

54


Table of Contents

multiple of one-year forward cash flow and calculated multiples for transaction value (equity purchase price adjusted for debt and cash) to one-year forward EBITDAX (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and exploration expense) for the target in each selected transaction. Among other factors, JPMorgan noted that the merger and acquisition transaction environment varies over time because of macroeconomic conditions such as fluctuations in interest rates, oil and natural gas prices, equity markets and other macroeconomic conditions such as industry results and growth expectations.

 

The precedent transactions examined with respect to BR’s valuation were as follows: Occidental Petroleum Corporation/Vintage Petroleum, Inc., Chesapeake Energy Corporation/Triana Inc., Chevron Corporation/Unocal Corporation, Cimarex Energy Co./Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc., Noble Energy, Inc./Patina Oil & Gas Corporation, Petro-Canada/Prima Energy Corporation, Pioneer Natural Resources Company/Evergreen Resources, Inc., EnCana Corporation/Tom Brown, Inc. and Kerr-McGee Corporation/Westport Resources Corporation.

 

JPMorgan reviewed the multiples obtained from these transactions and applied its judgment to estimate valuation multiple reference ranges for BR. JPMorgan noted that none of the selected precedent transactions is either identical or directly comparable to the proposed transaction and that any analysis of selected precedent transactions necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition values of the companies concerned.

 

The table below includes reference multiple ranges selected by JPMorgan based on a review of the precedent transaction multiples.

 

     Multiple range

   Implied value per BR
share


     Low

   High

   Low

   High

Equity value/2006E cash flow

   6.00 x    7.00 x    $ 83    $ 96

Firm value/2006E EBITDAX

   5.00 x    5.50 x      81      89

 

Based on the precedent corporate transaction analysis, the implied share value of BR common stock varied from a low of $81 to a high of $96. JPMorgan noted that, based on the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005 of $63.07, the proposed merger consideration of $92 per share falls within this range of calculated values.

 

Public Market Comparables Analysis. JPMorgan compared financial, operating and stock market data of BR to corresponding data of the following publicly traded companies which JPMorgan considered to be comparable industry peers: Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Apache Corporation, Devon Energy Corporation, EnCana Corporation, EOG Resources, Inc. and XTO Energy Inc. JPMorgan also compared financial, operating and stock market data of ConocoPhillips to corresponding data of the following publicly traded companies which JPMorgan considered to be comparable industry peers: BP PLC, Chevron Corporation, Eni S.p.A., ExxonMobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Total S.A. JPMorgan noted that none of the selected companies is either identical or directly comparable to BR or ConocoPhillips and that any analysis of selected companies necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the public trading of the selected companies.

 

JPMorgan reviewed multiples of equity value (based on the closing price per share on December 9, 2005) to estimated 2006 cash flow, firm value (equity value adjusted for debt and cash as of October 31, 2005 for BR and September 30, 2005 for other companies) to estimated 2006 EBITDAX and firm value to proved reserves obtained for the group of companies that it compared with BR and applied its judgment to estimate valuation multiple reference ranges for BR. JPMorgan also reviewed multiples of estimated earnings, cash flow and EBITDAX obtained for the group of companies that it compared with ConocoPhillips and applied its judgment to

 

55


Table of Contents

estimate valuation multiple reference ranges for ConocoPhillips. Earnings, cash flow and EBITDAX estimates used by JPMorgan for the respective peer groups reflected First Call consensus estimates. Proved reserves were based on reserves as of December 31, 2004, pro forma for acquisitions and divestitures where applicable. All multiple ranges were applied to BR’s and ConocoPhillips’ management projections using First Call commodity pricing estimates.

 

BR

 

     Multiple range

   Implied value per BR
share


     Low

   High

   Low

   High

Equity value/2006E cash flow

     5.00 x      6.00 x    $ 69    $ 83

Firm value/2006E EBITDAX

     4.50 x      5.50 x      72      89

Firm value/2004 reserves (mcfe)

   $ 2.50       $ 3.00         76      91

 

ConocoPhillips

 

     Multiple range

   Implied value per
ConocoPhillips share


     Low

   High

   Low

   High

Equity value/2006E earnings

   7.25 x    8.25 x    $ 65    $ 74

Equity value/2007E earnings

   7.50 x    9.50 x      68      86

Equity value/2006E cash flow

   5.00 x    5.75 x      64      74

Equity value/2007E cash flow

   5.25 x    6.25 x      65      78

Firm value/2006E EBITDAX

   3.25 x    3.75 x      58      68

Firm value/2007E EBITDAX

   3.50 x    4.00 x      61      71

 

By applying the above multiples to the indicated financial and operational metrics, JPMorgan calculated implied equity values per share for each of BR and ConocoPhillips. Based on the public market comparables analysis for BR, the implied equity value per share ranged from a low of $69 to a high of $91. JPMorgan noted that, based on the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005 of $63.07, the proposed merger consideration of $92 per share is slightly more than this range of calculated values. Based on the public market comparables analysis for ConocoPhillips, the implied equity value per share ranged from a low of $58 to a high of $86. JPMorgan noted that the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005 of $63.07 falls within this range of calculated values.

 

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. JPMorgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for the purpose of determining an estimated range of implied equity value per share of BR common stock. JPMorgan reviewed two scenarios, one of which was based upon BR management’s business plan for the fiscal years 2006 through 2010, additional assumptions from BR management for the fiscal year 2010 and in perpetuity and projected commodity prices based on publicly available commodity trading prices, hereinafter referred to as the “strip pricing case.” The other scenario was a sensitivity case that was based upon the identical BR management business plan for the fiscal years 2006 through 2010, identical additional assumptions from BR management for the fiscal year 2010 and in perpetuity and with respect to future commodity prices, consensus estimates of Wall Street equity analysts provided by First Call. For both scenarios, the discounted cash flow analysis assumes a valuation date of December 31, 2005.

 

For both scenarios, JPMorgan calculated the after-tax unlevered free cash flows that BR is expected to generate during fiscal years 2006 through 2010, based on BR management’s business plan. JPMorgan calculated an implied range of terminal values for BR using a range of perpetuity growth rates from 0.0% to 2.0% and a range of discount rates from 7.0% to 9.0%. The unlevered free cash flows and the range of terminal values were then discounted to present value using a range of discount rates from 7.0% to 9.0%. JPMorgan selected a 1%

 

56


Table of Contents

terminal growth rate to derive an approximate implied per share equity value reference range for BR of $68 to $91 in the strip pricing case and an implied per share equity value reference range for BR of $56 to $79 in the other scenario. JPMorgan noted that, based on the closing price of ConocoPhillips common stock on December 9, 2005 of $63.07, the proposed merger consideration of $92 per share is more than this range of calculated values.

 

Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis. JPMorgan performed a financial analysis on each of ConocoPhillips’ constituent businesses to analyze the entire company on a segment-by-segment basis by using certain financial forecasts provided by ConocoPhillips management and Wall Street equity research. Based upon the implied valuations for each of these businesses, JPMorgan calculated the implied equity value of ConocoPhillips. The estimated value of such calculations included the subtraction of corporate expenses and net debt and the addition of ConocoPhillips’ equity interests in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, ConocoPhillips’ joint venture with Chevron Corporation, Duke Energy Field Services LLC, ConocoPhillips’ joint venture with Duke Energy and midstream assets and LUKOIL. Such implied equity values were subsequently utilized to calculate the implied price per share values of ConocoPhillips stock. The implied values resulting from this analysis ranged from $78 to $88 per share of ConocoPhillips stock. The high and low price per share values of ConocoPhillips resulting from this analysis were compared to ConocoPhillips’ stock price of $63.07 as of December 9, 2005, the last trading day prior to the date of JPMorgan’s opinion.

 

Pro Forma Analysis. In addition to the financial analyses performed by JPMorgan in connection with providing its opinion, at the request of BR’s board of directors, JPMorgan analyzed certain potential pro forma effects of the merger on ConocoPhillips using projections provided by BR management and projections provided by ConocoPhillips’ management. Based on the projections of BR management for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, this analysis indicated that the merger would be dilutive to ConocoPhillips’ projected earnings per share in 2006 and 2007, accretive to ConocoPhillips’ cash flow per share in 2006 and accretive in 2007. JPMorgan also compared the contribution of each of BR and ConocoPhillips to pro forma statistics for the combined entity and observed that the pro forma ownership of the combined company by holders of BR common stock was approximately 16.1%.

 

Miscellaneous

 

JPMorgan has received a fee from BR for the delivery of its fairness opinion. JPMorgan will also receive an additional fee if the proposed merger is consummated. In addition, BR has agreed to reimburse JPMorgan for its expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the fees and disbursements of counsel, and will indemnify JPMorgan for certain liabilities.

 

JPMorgan and its affiliates have provided in the past, and may in the future provide, investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services to BR and ConocoPhillips, including acting as lead arranger of BR’s credit facility in July 2004 and the amendment of such facility in August 2005 and of ConocoPhillips’ revolving credit facility in October 2003, and acting as financial advisor to ConocoPhillips in respect of certain retail assets in June 2004. In addition, JPMorgan’s commercial bank affiliate is agent bank and a lender under BR’s and ConocoPhillips’ respective credit facilities referred to above. JPMorgan’s commercial bank affiliate is also a commercial paper dealer for ConocoPhillips. In addition, in the ordinary course of JPMorgan’s businesses, JPMorgan and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of BR and ConocoPhillips for its own account or for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, JPMorgan may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.

 

57


Table of Contents

INTERESTS OF BR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THE MERGER

 

In considering the recommendation of the BR board of directors with respect to the merger, BR stockholders should be aware that executive officers and directors of BR have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of BR stockholders generally. The BR board of directors was aware of the interests and considered them, among other matters, when approving and adopting the merger agreement and recommending that BR stockholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement. These interests are summarized below.

 

Stock Options and Restricted Stock

 

All options to purchase BR common stock granted under BR’s equity compensation plans that are outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger will vest and become fully exercisable upon the completion of the merger and will be converted into options to purchase ConocoPhillips common stock. See “The Merger Agreement—Treatment of BR Options and Other Incentive Awards” beginning on page 64. In addition, the restrictions on all shares of restricted BR common stock granted under BR’s equity compensation plans that are outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the merger will lapse upon completion of the merger, and the shares will be converted into rights to receive the per share merger consideration. Notwithstanding the above, options to purchase BR common stock and shares of restricted BR common stock granted after the signing of the merger agreement will not be subject to the accelerated vesting described above upon completion of the merger but will instead retain their original BR vesting schedule, except that these awards will vest in full upon a termination of employment without cause or resignation for good reason following completion of the merger. See “The Merger Agreement—Treatment of BR Options and Other Incentive Awards” beginning on page 64.

 

The following chart sets forth, as of January 6, 2006, the number of shares subject to unvested options and the number of shares of restricted BR common stock held by BR’s named executive officers and other executive officers as a group.

 

Name and Principal Position


   Stock Options

   Restricted Stock

Bobby S. Shackouls

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

   100,000    145,000

Randy L. Limbacher

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

   35,000    50,000

Steven J. Shapiro

Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development

   35,000    60,000

John A. Williams

Senior Vice President, Exploration

   25,000    37,500

L. David Hanower

Senior Vice President, Law and Administration

   25,000    37,500

Other executive officers as a group (2 individuals)

   37,500    33,625

 

BR’s non-management directors do not hold any unvested BR stock options or restricted BR common stock.

 

58


Table of Contents

Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Under BR’s Incentive Compensation Plan, which is BR’s cash-based annual bonus plan, all participants in the plan, including BR’s executive officers, are entitled to receive a cash bonus within thirty days following the completion of the merger. The amount of the bonus payable to each participant is the bonus amount attributable to the calendar year in which the completion of the merger occurs, payable at the greater of the “excellent” level of performance or the highest annual bonus paid to such participant in respect of any of the three fiscal years preceding the completion of the merger. Assuming that the completion of the merger occurs in 2006 and the bonus percentage of BR’s executive officers remains the same in 2006 as it was in 2005, the following chart sets forth the bonus amounts that will be payable to BR’s named executive officers and other executive officers as a group upon completion of the merger.

 

Name and Principal Position


   Bonus Amount

Bobby S. Shackouls

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

   $ 1,383,281

Randy L. Limbacher

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

   $ 709,375

Steven J. Shapiro

Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development

   $ 709,375

John A. Williams

Senior Vice President, Exploration

   $ 454,023

L. David Hanower

Senior Vice President, Law and Administration

   $ 482,375

Other executive officers as a group (2 individuals)

   $ 544,000

 

Performance Share Units

 

In 2005, BR granted performance share units to participants in its 2005 Performance Share Unit Plan, including its executive officers. These units vest in 25% increments based on the satisfaction of performance goals during each year of the four-year performance period and, upon vesting, are paid in cash. Upon the completion of the merger, each participant in the plan will be entitled to receive a cash payment for his or her unvested performance units determined by multiplying the total number of performance units originally granted to the participant by a fraction representing the elapsed portion of the performance period, less the number of performance units that had previously vested, and the remaining unvested performance units will be forfeited. BR has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Shackouls, which provides that he will receive a full year’s increment of performance units if his employment is terminated under certain conditions, which will occur once the merger occurs. See “—Agreements with Bobby S. Shackouls” beginning on page 60. Assuming the completion of the merger on June 30, 2006, and assuming further that 25% of each participant’s performance units vest by reason of BR’s performance in 2005, the following chart sets forth the number of performance share units held by BR’s named executive officers, and by BR’s other executive officers as a group, that will vest upon completion of the merger.

 

Name and Principal Position


   Number of Performance Share
Units Subject to Vesting


Bobby S. Shackouls

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

   50,000

Randy L. Limbacher

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

   8,750

Steven J. Shapiro

Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development

   8,750

John A. Williams

Senior Vice President, Exploration

   6,875

L. David Hanower

Senior Vice President, Law and Administration

   6,875

Other executive officers as a group (2 individuals)

   10,000

 

59


Table of Contents

Each vested performance share unit that vests upon completion of the merger will entitle the holder to receive cash upon completion of the merger equal to the highest reported price paid for a BR share during the sixty days prior to the completion of the merger.

 

Executive Change in Control Severance Plan

 

BR maintains the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan for the benefit of its executive and other officers.

 

The plan provides that a participant will receive severance benefits under the plan if, within two years following the completion of the merger, his or her employment is terminated by BR or a successor without cause or by the participant with good reason. Upon a qualifying termination, a participant is generally entitled, in addition to earned but unpaid compensation, to the following:

 

    a cash payment equal to three times the sum of base salary and annual bonus (at the “excellent” level for the year of termination or the highest bonus paid in respect of any of the three fiscal years preceding the year of termination, whichever is higher);

 

    a pro-rata bonus (reduced, however, by the amount of any bonus paid to the participant under the Incentive Compensation Plan in respect of the year of termination);

 

    continuation of medical, dental, vision, life, long-term disability and survivor benefits for three years;

 

    a cash payment equal in value to three years of additional pension service credit;

 

    a transfer of ownership of any BR vehicles or club memberships; and

 

    outplacement assistance.

 

The plan also provides full indemnification for “golden parachute” excise taxes and payment of legal fees incurred reasonably and in good faith in the event of a dispute under the plan.

 

The following chart sets forth the cash severance pay to which BR’s named executive officers and other officers as a group would be entitled under the plan assuming that their employment were to terminate in 2006 upon completion of the merger, assuming that each executive officer’s annual bonus in respect of BR’s 2004 fiscal year is the highest bonus paid in respect of the three fiscal years preceding termination and using such number or the “excellent” level for 2006, whichever is higher, as the annual bonus.

 

Name and Principal Position


   Cash Severance Pay

Bobby S. Shackouls

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

   $ 7,224,843

Randy L. Limbacher

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

   $ 3,778,125

Steven J. Shapiro

Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development

   $ 3,778,125

John A. Williams

Senior Vice President, Exploration

   $ 2,562,129

L. David Hanower

Senior Vice President, Law and Administration

   $ 2,797,125

Other executive officers as a group (2 individuals)

   $ 3,672,000

 

Agreements with Bobby S. Shackouls

 

BR is a party to an employment agreement, dated July 7, 1999, with Bobby S. Shackouls, its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to this employment agreement, upon a termination of Mr. Shackouls’ employment by BR without cause or by Mr. Shackouls with good reason, Mr. Shackouls is

 

60


Table of Contents

entitled, in addition to earned but unpaid compensation, to a cash severance payment equal to three times his base salary and target bonus. In addition, upon such a termination, Mr. Shackouls would be entitled to (1) three years of continued health insurance, life insurance and long-term disability coverage, (2) full vesting of options and restricted stock then held by him (with three years to exercise all options held by him, subject to earlier expiration of the term) and (3) vesting of performance share units scheduled to vest during the year of termination. Mr. Shackouls may elect to receive these severance benefits or, alternatively, severance benefits under the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan, but, if Mr. Shackouls elects to receive the severance benefits under his employment agreement, he will nevertheless be entitled to receive the indemnification for golden parachute excise taxes available under the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan. If Mr. Shackouls chooses to receive severance benefits under the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan, he will nevertheless be entitled to receive a supplemental pension benefit of approximately 13 additional years of credited service provided under the employment agreement (which benefit is currently fully vested) or the three years of credited service under the plan but not both.

 

In addition, in connection with the entry by BR and ConocoPhillips into the merger agreement, Mr. Shackouls agreed to extend the noncompetition provision in the employment agreement for two years following any termination of his employment (which is expected to occur when the merger is completed). In consideration of this extension, ConocoPhillips confirmed that it will comply with the current requirements of Mr. Shackouls’ employment agreement with BR and will provide Mr. Shackouls with office space and a secretary for five years following the termination of his employment and that it will, upon termination of his employment, transfer to Mr. Shackouls his then-current automobile and club memberships.

 

Restated Benefits Protection Trust

 

BR maintains a grantor trust, or “rabbi trust,” to which it contributes assets to satisfy its obligations with respect to specified nonqualified deferred compensation and supplemental retirement benefits and under BR’s change in control severance plans (including the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan). As permitted under the merger agreement, BR has contributed $2 million to an account maintained in the trust to be used by the trustee to pay its expenses following completion of the merger. BR will also make an initial contribution to the trust prior to completion of the merger of $25 million plus an amount equal to the severance costs in respect of those individuals identified for termination at the time of, or within 60 days following, the merger. In addition, following the completion of the merger, ConocoPhillips will periodically fund the portion of the trust related to severance cost so that a funding level relating to severance costs of between $15 million and $25 million is maintained at all times until the second anniversary of the completion of the merger. BR and ConocoPhillips have agreed to provide credit support satisfactory to the trustee of the trust regarding contributions relating to severance costs to be made to the trust following the completion of the merger. The trust is a funding mechanism by which BR intends to pay pre-existing liabilities under the specified benefit plans. The trust does not create any new or additional compensation or benefit entitlements.

 

Deferred Compensation Account

 

Prior to the completion of the merger, BR will amend its plans that contain deferral features to ensure that interest credited under the interest crediting feature of those plans will be calculated by reference to an interest rate that is not less than the Moody’s Long-Term Corporate Board Yield Average (as adjusted from time to time), which is the interest crediting rate currently utilized under these plans.

 

Retiree Medical Coverage

 

Beginning on the first anniversary of the completion of the merger, ConocoPhillips will allow BR employees continuously employed by ConocoPhillips through that date to be eligible for ConocoPhillips’ retiree medical benefits following termination of employment, on the same basis as similarly situated ConocoPhillips employees, but giving credit for BR credited service.

 

61


Table of Contents

BR Pension Plan

 

BR and ConocoPhillips have agreed that the final average pay formula of the BR Pension Plan will be maintained for participants receiving the benefit of the final average pay formula immediately prior to the completion of the merger.

 

1991 Charitable Award Program for Directors

 

Under BR’s 1991 Charitable Award Program for Directors, BR donates, upon the death of any non-employee director who served on BR’s board of directors for at least two years and was first elected prior to 2003, $1 million to one or more institutions of higher learning or other charitable organization nominated by the non-employee director. This program currently covers 20 current and former non-employee directors, including Bobby S. Shackouls, and was closed to new participants in 2003. ConocoPhillips has agreed to maintain this program with respect to the aforementioned 20 current and former non-employee directors who currently participate in the program.

 

Indemnification and Benefits Provisions in the Merger Agreement

 

The merger agreement provides for director and officer indemnification and insurance, and for the continuation of employee benefits for specified time periods. For a description of these provisions, see “The Merger Agreement—Covenants—Indemnification and Insurance of BR Directors and Officers” beginning on page 70.

 

Governance

 

ConocoPhillips has agreed to take all action necessary, as of the effective time of the merger, to appoint Bobby S. Shackouls, BR’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and William E. Wade Jr., a member of the BR board of directors, to the ConocoPhillips board of directors. ConocoPhillips has also agreed to appoint Randy Limbacher, BR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, as Executive Vice President of ConocoPhillips, responsible for North and South America Exploration and Production.

 

62


Table of Contents

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

 

The following summary of the merger agreement is qualified by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, which is attached as Annex A and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

The merger agreement contains representations and warranties ConocoPhillips and BR made to each other. The assertions embodied in those representations and warranties are qualified by information in a confidential disclosure schedule that BR has provided in connection with signing the merger agreement. The disclosure schedule contains information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the attached merger agreement. Accordingly, you should keep in mind that the representations and warranties are modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedule. The disclosure schedule contains information that has been included in BR’s general prior public disclosures, as well as additional information, some of which is non-public. BR does not believe the disclosure schedule contains information that the securities laws require it to publicly disclose except as discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may have changed since the date of the agreement, and this information may or may not be fully reflected in the companies’ public disclosures.

 

Structure of the Merger

 

Under the merger agreement, BR will merge into a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips. After the merger, the ConocoPhillips subsidiary will be the surviving entity, and the separate corporate existence of BR will cease. The effectiveness of the merger will not affect the separate corporate existence of BR’s subsidiaries.

 

Timing of Closing

 

We expect the closing will occur on the first business day following the day on which all of the conditions set forth in the merger agreement have been satisfied or waived, excluding conditions that, by their nature, cannot be satisfied until the closing, unless the merger agreement has been terminated or another time or date is agreed to in writing by the parties. As soon as practicable after the closing of the merger, we will file a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The merger will become effective when the certificate of merger is filed or at such later time as BR and ConocoPhillips agree and specify in the certificate of merger.

 

Merger Consideration

 

At the completion of the merger, each outstanding share of BR common stock will be converted into the right to receive a combination of 0.7214 of a share of ConocoPhillips common stock and $46.50 in cash.

 

Shares of ConocoPhillips common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “COP.”

 

Explanation of Potential Adjustment to Merger Consideration

 

In the event that, before the completion of the merger, any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of ConocoPhillips or BR occurs as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend paid thereon with a record date occurring prior to the completion of the merger, the relevant components of the merger consideration will be appropriately adjusted to provide BR stockholders with the economic effect contemplated by the parties in the merger agreement.

 

63


Table of Contents

Conversion of Shares

 

At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding share of BR common stock (other than shares held by BR, ConocoPhillips, merger sub and stockholders who properly exercise their dissenters’ rights) will automatically be canceled and retired, will cease to exist and will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration. Shares of BR common stock owned by BR (other than shares held in trust or otherwise set aside from treasury shares pursuant to certain BR benefit plans), ConocoPhillips or merger sub will be canceled in the merger without payment of any merger consideration. Each share of BR common stock owned by a direct or indirect subsidiary of BR or ConocoPhillips (other than merger sub) immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration.

 

Prior to the completion of the merger, ConocoPhillips will deposit with the exchange agent the merger consideration to be delivered in respect of shares of BR common stock. Following completion of the merger, ConocoPhillips will make available to the exchange agent, as needed, cash sufficient to pay certain dividends and distributions on ConocoPhillips common stock issued as merger consideration. ConocoPhillips has appointed [                ] to act as exchange agent for the merger.

 

Exchange of BR Stock Certificates

 

Promptly after the closing, the exchange agent will send to each holder of BR common stock a letter of transmittal for use in the exchange and instructions explaining how to surrender BR shares to the exchange agent. Holders of BR common stock who surrender their certificates to the exchange agent, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, will receive the appropriate merger consideration. Holders of unexchanged shares of BR common stock will not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions payable by ConocoPhillips after the closing until their shares are properly surrendered.

 

ConocoPhillips will not issue any fractional shares in the merger. Holders of BR common stock will receive a cash payment in the amount of the proceeds from the sale of their fractional shares in the market.

 

Treatment of BR Options and Other Incentive Awards

 

At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding option to purchase shares of BR common stock, or BR stock option, granted under any of BR’s plans and agreements, whether or not vested, will be converted into an option to acquire a number of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock equal to the product of (a) the number of shares of BR common stock subject to such option or immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by (b) the Stock Award Exchange Ratio (as defined in the next sentence), rounded down to the nearest whole share. The “Stock Award Exchange Ratio” means the sum of 0.7214 and a fraction, the numerator of which is 46.50 and the denominator of which is the closing per share price of ConocoPhillips common stock on the NYSE on the trading day immediately preceding the closing date under the merger agreement. The exercise or base price per share of ConocoPhillips common stock subject to any such converted option will be an amount equal to (a) the exercise or base price per share of BR common stock subject to such option immediately prior to the effective time of the merger divided by (b) the Stock Award Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of a cent. All other terms of BR stock options will continue to apply after conversion, including any provisions for the acceleration of vesting.

 

In addition, each outstanding share of restricted BR common stock granted pursuant to BR stock plans will vest. Following the effective time of the merger, no holder of a BR compensatory award will have any right to receive shares of BR common stock in respect of such award. As of the effective time of the merger, each compensatory award measured by the value of a number of BR common stock (excluding BR stock options, restricted BR common stock and performance units granted under BR’s 2005 Performance Share Unit Plan) will cease to be measured by the value of a number of shares of BR common stock and will instead be measured by the value of a number of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock determined by multiplying (x) the number of shares of BR common stock by which such compensatory right is measured immediately prior to the effective time of the merger by (y) the Stock Award Exchange Ratio.

 

64


Table of Contents

See “Interests of BR Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 58.

 

Covenants

 

Each of ConocoPhillips and BR has undertaken various covenants in the merger agreement. The following summarizes the more significant of these covenants.

 

Acquisition Proposals. BR has agreed that it, its subsidiaries and its and its subsidiaries’ directors and officers will not, and that it will use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and its subsidiaries’ respective employees, agents and other representatives, directly or indirectly, not to:

 

    initiate, solicit, encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries with respect to, or the making of, any acquisition proposal (as defined below);

 

    have any discussion with or provide any confidential information or data to any person relating to an acquisition proposal;

 

    engage in any negotiations concerning an acquisition proposal;

 

    knowingly facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an acquisition proposal;

 

    approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any acquisition proposal;

 

    approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, or execute or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement; or

 

    propose publicly or agree to do any of the foregoing related to any acquisition proposal.

 

An “acquisition proposal” is any proposal, offer or transaction (other than a proposal or offer made by ConocoPhillips or an affiliate of ConocoPhillips), or announcement of an intention to make any such proposal, offer or transaction, with respect to:

 

    a merger, reorganization, share exchange, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving BR;

 

    any purchase or sale of 20% or more of the consolidated assets (including stock of its subsidiaries) of BR and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

 

    any purchase or sale of, or tender or exchange offer for, BR’s equity securities that, if consummated, would result in any person (or the stockholders of such person) beneficially owning securities representing 20% or more of BR’s total voting power (or of the surviving parent entity in such transaction).

 

However, BR and its board of directors may comply with applicable law and make any disclosures required by law or by the fiduciary duties of the BR board of directors, provided that prior to providing any information or data to any person in connection with an acquisition proposal by that person, that person provides BR’s board of directors with an executed confidentiality agreement with provisions that are at least as restrictive as the provisions of the confidentiality agreement between ConocoPhillips and BR.

 

Furthermore, BR may engage in discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any person in response to an unsolicited bona fide written acquisition proposal by any such person, if:

 

    the vote at the special meeting of BR stockholders on the approval and adoption of the merger agreement has not been taken;

 

    BR’s board of directors concludes in good faith that there is a reasonable likelihood that such acquisition proposal would lead to a superior proposal (as defined below);

 

65


Table of Contents
    prior to providing any information or data to any person in connection with an acquisition proposal by any such person, that person provides BR’s board with an executed confidentiality agreement with provisions that are at least as restrictive as the provisions of the confidentiality agreement between BR and ConocoPhillips; and

 

    prior to providing any information or data to any person or entering into discussions or negotiations with any person, BR notifies ConocoPhillips promptly of such inquiries, proposals or offers received by, any such information requested from, or any such discussions or negotiations sought to be initiated or continued with, any of BR’s representatives indicating, in connection with such notice, the name of such person and the material terms and conditions of any inquiries, proposals or offers.

 

BR has agreed to promptly keep ConocoPhillips reasonably informed of the status and terms of any inquiries, proposals or offers and the status and terms of any discussions or negotiations, including the identity of the person making such inquiry, proposal or offer. BR has also agreed to, and will cause its officers, directors and representatives to, immediately terminate any activities, discussions or negotiations existing as of the date of the merger agreement with any person (other than ConocoPhillips) conducted with respect to any acquisition proposal.

 

Finally, if the BR board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that an acquisition proposal that was unsolicited and that did not otherwise result from a breach of BR’s obligations described above in this “—Acquisition Proposals” section is a superior proposal, BR may terminate the merger agreement if:

 

    BR stockholders have not yet approved and adopted the merger agreement;

 

    BR notifies ConocoPhillips of its intent to take such action and informs ConocoPhillips of the identity of the person making the acquisition proposal and the material terms and conditions of such acquisition proposal;

 

    BR gives ConocoPhillips at least three business days after delivery of such notice to propose revisions to the terms of the merger agreement (or to make another proposal) in response to such acquisition proposal; and

 

    BR pays ConocoPhillips a termination fee of $1.0 billion in cash.

 

A “superior proposal” is a bona fide written proposal made by a party other than ConocoPhillips that (a) is for an acquisition proposal (except that references in the definition of “acquisition proposal” to “20%” are changed to “50%”) involving BR and (b) is on terms which the BR board of directors in good faith concludes (following receipt of the advice of its financial advisors and outside counsel) would, if consummated, result in a transaction that is more favorable to BR and its stockholders (in their capacities as stockholders), from a financial point of view, than the merger with ConocoPhillips (taking into account, among other things, legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the proposal, including any conditions to consummation of the transactions proposed and any revisions to the terms of the merger agreement proposed by ConocoPhillips and the person making the proposal) and is reasonably capable of being completed.

 

BR Board’s Recommendation to Stockholders. BR has agreed that its board will recommend the approval and adoption of the merger and the merger agreement to BR’s stockholders. However, prior to the approval and adoption of the merger agreement by the BR stockholders, the BR board of directors is permitted not to make this recommendation, to withdraw, modify or qualify it in a manner adverse to ConocoPhillips, or take any action or make any statement in connection with the special meeting that is inconsistent with the recommendation if:

 

    the BR stockholder vote at the special meeting on the approval and adoption of the merger agreement has not been taken;

 

    BR has received an unsolicited bona fide written acquisition proposal and the BR board of directors concludes in good faith that the acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal;

 

66


Table of Contents
    prior to providing any information or data to any person or entering into discussions or negotiations with any person, BR notifies ConocoPhillips promptly of such inquiries, proposals or offers received by, any such information requested from, or any such discussions or negotiations sought to be initiated or continued with, any of BR’s representatives indicating, in connection with such notice, the name of such person and the material terms and conditions of any inquiries, proposals or offers;

 

    BR has given ConocoPhillips at least three business days after delivery of such notice to propose revisions to the terms of the merger agreement (or to make another proposal) in response to such acquisition proposal and has negotiated in good faith with ConocoPhillips with respect to such proposed revisions or other proposal, if any; and

 

    BR has complied with its obligations under the acquisition proposals covenant described above under the “—Acquisition Proposals” section.

 

Governance. ConocoPhillips has agreed to take all action necessary, as of the effective time of the merger, to cause Bobby S. Shackouls, BR’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and William E. Wade, Jr., a member of BR’s board of directors, to be appointed to ConocoPhillips’ board of directors and to expand, to the extent necessary in connection with appointing such two directors, ConocoPhillips’ board of directors. ConocoPhillips has agreed to use reasonable best efforts, consistent with applicable law, to ensure that one such nominee is a member of the class of ConocoPhillips’ board of directors whose term ends at the second annual meeting of ConocoPhillips stockholders occurring after the completion of the merger and that the other such nominee is a member of the class of ConocoPhillips’ board of directors whose term ends at the third annual meeting of ConocoPhillips stockholders occurring after the completion of the merger.

 

Interim Operations of BR. The merger agreement provides that until the effective time of the merger, BR and its subsidiaries will conduct their business in the ordinary course in all material respects, in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the date of the merger agreement and to use their reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their present lines of business. BR has also agreed that during this period it and its subsidiaries will use their reasonable best efforts to keep available the services of their officers and key employees, maintain their rights and franchises and preserve their relationships with third parties. In addition, BR has agreed to the following specific restrictions on the conduct of its business during this period, which are subject to exceptions described in the merger agreement. BR generally has agreed that, except with the prior written consent of ConocoPhillips (which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) it will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries, to:

 

    incur or commit to any capital expenditures, other than in the ordinary course of business or as contemplated by capital budgets for 2005 and 2006 and the capital budget for the first half of 2007;

 

    enter into any new material line of business;

 

    declare or pay any dividends on or make other distributions in respect of any of its capital stock, other than regular quarterly cash dividends not in excess of $0.10 per share of BR common stock and intra-company dividends among BR and its subsidiaries (both in keeping with past practice);

 

    split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock;

 

    repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable for any shares of its capital stock, except for the purchase of BR common stock in connection with certain benefit plans, in the ordinary course of business, and in connection with BR’s share repurchase program;

 

    issue, sell, deliver, pledge or dispose of any shares of its capital stock, voting debt or any securities convertible into any shares of capital stock or voting debt, other than the issuance of BR common stock upon the exercise of BR stock options existing as of the date of the merger agreement or permitted to be granted after the date of the merger agreement or restricted BR common stock permitted to be granted after the date of the merger agreement;

 

    amend its charter or by-laws, except as required by applicable law;

 

67


Table of Contents
    acquire, or agree to acquire, by merger, consolidation or purchase of a substantial portion of the equity or assets of, any business, or otherwise agree to acquire any assets, other than acquisitions in the ordinary course of business that do not present a material risk of making it materially more difficult to obtain any approval or authorization required in connection with the merger under regulatory law and that could not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay or impede the merger, provided, however, that any permitted acquisitions be consistent with certain BR capital budgets disclosed to ConocoPhillips;

 

    sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, or agree to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets (including capital stock of subsidiaries of BR), other than in the ordinary course of business, dispositions in the aggregate amount of up to $50 million per year in fair market value, or certain other dispositions;

 

    enter into any material joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than such actions taken in the ordinary course of business that do not present a material risk of making it more difficult to obtain any approval or authorization required in connection with the merger under regulatory law, certain intra-company loans, or certain capital contributions in respect of existing joint ventures;

 

    incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of BR or any of its subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course or to refinance pre-existing indebtedness;

 

    fail to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the merger to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

    enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any benefit plan, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by law or by the terms of any binding agreement;

 

    increase the compensation or benefits payable to any current or former employee, officer, director, or consultant of BR and its subsidiaries or pay any amounts under such arrangements or benefit plans (including severance arrangements) not otherwise due, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by law or by the terms of any agreement that is binding as of the date of the merger agreement;

 

    grant or accelerate the vesting of any equity-based awards for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director, or consultant of BR and its subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by law or by the terms of any agreement that is binding as of the date of the merger agreement;

 

    enter into any new, or amend any existing, collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement with respect to BR and its subsidiaries or any of their employees, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by law or by the terms of any agreement that is binding as of the date of the merger agreement;

 

    make contributions to tax-qualified pension plans other than to the extent required by law or modify the actuarial assumptions in effect with respect to any such plan, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by law or by the terms of any agreement that is binding as of the date of the merger agreement;

 

    provide any funding for any “rabbi trust” or similar arrangement, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as required by law or by the terms of any agreement that is binding as of the date of the merger agreement;

 

    change in any material respect its methods of financial accounting in effect at September 30, 2005, except as required by changes in generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, as concurred in by BR’s independent public accountants or by a governmental entity, or as disclosed in BR’s filings with the SEC;

 

68


Table of Contents
    make any material tax election, except for elections in the ordinary course of business;

 

    enter into any agreement that limits (other than in an insignificant manner) the ability of BR or any of its subsidiaries, or ConocoPhillips or any of its subsidiaries after the effective time of the merger, to compete in or conduct any line of business or compete with any person in any geographic area or during any period;

 

    take any action or omit to take any action for the purpose of preventing, delaying or impeding the completion of the merger;

 

    modify, amend or terminate certain material contracts, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

    waive any material rights under any material contract;

 

    enter into any material contract, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

    settle or compromise any claim, demand, lawsuit or regulatory proceeding in an amount in excess of $10 million (provided that ConocoPhillips will not unreasonably withhold its consent to any such settlement or compromise);

 

    take any action which would limit in any material respect BR’s or ConocoPhillips’ freedom to license, cross license or otherwise dispose of any of BR’s material intellectual property;

 

    commit any act or omission which constitutes a material breach or default by BR or any of its subsidiaries under any agreement with any governmental entity or under any material contract or material license to which any of them is a party or by which any of them or their respective properties is bound, except to the extent required by law;

 

    adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of BR or any of its subsidiaries; or

 

    fail to take all actions necessary to ensure that, with respect to any future severance obligations (contingent or otherwise), no “rabbi trust” funding, letter of credit or similar funding arrangement has been, or will be, required in connection with the execution of the merger agreement or the consummation of the merger, and any BR benefit plans, trust agreements, or documents that might otherwise have required such funding will be amended as necessary to ensure that no such requirement will take effect.

 

Required Actions. ConocoPhillips and BR have agreed to cooperate with each other and use their reasonable best efforts to promptly:

 

    take all actions and do all things necessary, proper or advisable under the merger agreement and applicable laws to complete the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement as soon as practicable, including preparing and filing all necessary regulatory filings; and

 

    obtain as soon as practicable all required regulatory or third-party approvals for consummation of the merger.

 

ConocoPhillips and BR have also agreed to take all actions necessary, subject to provisions for cooperation and for ConocoPhillips to “take the lead” in all meetings and communications with the government on antitrust matters, to:

 

    avoid the entry of, or to have vacated or terminated, any decree, order or judgment that would restrain, prevent or delay the closing, on or before June 12, 2007, including defending through litigation on the merits any claim asserted in any court by any person; and

 

   

avoid or eliminate every impediment under any regulatory law that may be asserted by any governmental authority with respect to the merger so that the closing can occur as soon as reasonably

 

69


Table of Contents
 

possible. This includes proposing, negotiating, committing to and effecting the sale, divestiture or disposition of businesses, product lines or assets of ConocoPhillips, BR and their respective subsidiaries; and otherwise taking or committing to take actions that after the closing date would limit ConocoPhillips’ or its subsidiaries’ freedom of action with respect to, or its or their ability to retain, one or more of the businesses, product lines or assets of ConocoPhillips, BR and their respective subsidiaries, in each case as may be required to avoid a government order that would prevent or materially delay the closing.

 

Certain Employee Benefits Matters. The merger agreement provides that, upon the effective time of the merger, ConocoPhillips will honor all BR benefit plans in accordance with their terms as in effect immediately before the effective time of the merger, subject to any permitted amendment or termination of those benefit plans.

 

ConocoPhillips and BR have agreed that the merger will constitute a change in control under BR’s employment arrangements and benefit plans in accordance with the terms of those arrangements and plans. The other terms of such arrangements and plans, including any conditions that an employee must incur a termination of employment or constructive discharge to receive benefits, will continue to apply, except that ConocoPhillips will respect deferrals of salary, bonus or other compensation in place prior to the effective time pursuant to BR’s benefit plans.

 

ConocoPhillips has also agreed that, for at least 18 months following the effective time of the merger, it shall provide, or cause to be provided to, BR employees who were employed by BR or its subsidiaries at the effective time of the merger and who continue as employees of ConocoPhillips or its subsidiaries, for so long as they remain so employed, compensation and employee benefits (other than any such employees whose terms of employment are governed by a collective bargaining agreement) pursuant to compensation and employee benefit plans and arrangements as provided to such employees immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, or pursuant to compensation and employee benefit plans and arrangements maintained by ConocoPhillips providing coverage and benefits which, in the aggregate, are no less favorable than those provided pursuant to BR’s compensation and employee benefit plans and arrangements to such employees immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.

 

The disclosure schedule to the merger agreement authorizes BR to provide up to $75,000,000 in retention awards to employees of BR and its subsidiaries expected to have an ongoing role following the merger to retain the services of those employees through the first anniversary of the merger. BR will determine the employees to receive such awards in its sole discretion, except that none of the retention awards may be made to employees at or above the vice president level. Any retention award will be payable on the first anniversary of the merger, so long as the applicable employee remains employed on such date, provided that the retention award will be payable upon an earlier termination of employment if such termination is (i) a termination without cause by BR or ConocoPhillips or their respective subsidiaries, (ii) a voluntary termination by the employee due to a reduction in base salary or target incentive opportunity or a relocation of more than 50 miles, or (iii) due to the employee’s death or permanent disability.

 

Please see “Interests of BR Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger,” beginning on page 58, for additional information on employee benefits matters covered in the merger agreement.

 

Indemnification and Insurance of BR Directors and Officers. ConocoPhillips has agreed that:

 

    it and the surviving corporation will indemnify, and provide advancement of expenses to, all past and present directors, officers and employees of BR and its subsidiaries to the same extent such individuals had such protections from BR as of the date of the merger agreement and to the fullest extent permitted by law, in each case for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger; and

 

   

it will include in the charter and by-laws of the surviving corporation, and cause to be maintained for a period of six years after the effective time of the merger, provisions regarding elimination of liability of

 

70


Table of Contents
 

directors, indemnification of officers, directors and employees and advancement of expenses that are no less advantageous to the intended beneficiaries than the corresponding provisions contained in the current charter and by-laws of BR.

 

In addition, prior to the effective time of the merger, BR will endeavor to obtain and fully pay (up to a maximum cost of 300% of the current annual premium paid by BR for its existing coverage in the aggregate) for “tail” insurance policies for “Side A” coverage with a claims period of at least six years from the effective time of the merger from an insurance carrier with the same or better credit rating as BR’s current insurance carrier with respect to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in an amount and scope at least as favorable as BR’s existing policies with respect to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger. If BR is unable to do so, ConocoPhillips will cause the surviving corporation to obtain and provide such “tail” insurance policies.

 

Other Covenants. The merger agreement contains additional mutual covenants of the parties, including an agreement not to jeopardize the intended tax treatment of the merger.

 

Representations and Warranties

 

BR makes various representations and warranties to ConocoPhillips and the merger sub in the merger agreement. The most significant of these relate to:

 

    organizational existence, qualification to conduct business and organizational power;

 

    ownership of subsidiaries;

 

    capitalization;

 

    corporate authorization to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

    absence of any breach of organizational documents, law or certain material agreements as a result of the contemplated transactions;

 

    absence of defaults and violations;

 

    the governmental approvals required in connection with the contemplated transactions;

 

    filings with the SEC;

 

    financial statements;

 

    disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;

 

    absence of material changes since September 30, 2005;

 

    absence of undisclosed material liabilities;

 

    litigation;

 

    compliance with laws;

 

    environmental matters;

 

    employee benefit matters;

 

    tax matters;

 

    material contracts;

 

    accuracy of information provided for inclusion in this proxy statement/prospectus;

 

    inapplicability of the Delaware anti-takeover statute;

 

    opinions of BR’s financial advisors;

 

71


Table of Contents
    action necessary to render the BR stockholder rights plan inapplicable to the merger;

 

    approval of the merger agreement by the BR board of directors;

 

    brokers’ fees; and

 

    BR’s ownership of ConocoPhillips common stock.

 

In addition, ConocoPhillips makes representations and warranties to BR relating to:

 

    organizational existence, qualification to conduct business and organizational power;

 

    ownership of subsidiaries;

 

    capitalization of ConocoPhillips and the merger sub;

 

    corporate authorization to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

    absence of any breach of organizational documents, law or certain material agreements as a result of the contemplated transactions;

 

    absence of defaults and violations;

 

    the governmental approvals required in connection with the contemplated transactions;

 

    filings with the SEC;

 

    financial statements;

 

    disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting;

 

    absence of material changes since September 30, 2005;

 

    absence of undisclosed material liabilities;

 

    litigation;

 

    compliance with laws;

 

    environmental matters;

 

    tax matters;

 

    material contracts;

 

    accuracy of information provided for inclusion in this proxy statement/prospectus;

 

    inapplicability of the Delaware anti-takeover statute;

 

    action necessary to render the ConocoPhillips stockholder rights agreement inapplicable to the merger;

 

    approval of the merger agreement by the ConocoPhillips board of directors;

 

    brokers’ fees; and

 

    ConocoPhillips’ ownership of BR common stock.

 

The representations and warranties in the merger agreement are subject to materiality and knowledge qualifications in many respects and do not survive the closing or termination of the merger agreement.

 

72


Table of Contents

Conditions to the Completion of the Merger

 

The obligations of ConocoPhillips and BR to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent legally permissible, waiver of the following conditions:

 

    adoption by the BR stockholders of the merger agreement;

 

    expiration or termination of the HSR Act waiting period;

 

    receipt of all approvals required in connection with the Canadian Competition Act and Investment Regulations, and all other regulatory approvals, except where the failure to obtain such approval would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on BR;

 

    absence of any legal prohibition on completion of the merger;

 

    ConocoPhillips’ registration statement on Form S-4, which includes this proxy statement/prospectus, being effective and not subject to any stop order by the SEC;

 

    approval for the listing on the NYSE of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock to be issued in the merger;

 

    performance by the other party of the obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to closing to the extent specified in the merger agreement;

 

    accuracy as of closing of the representations and warranties made by the other party to the extent specified in the merger agreement; and

 

    receipt by each party of an opinion of its counsel, dated as of the closing date of the merger, to the effect that for U.S. federal income tax purposes the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. BR will resolicit stockholder approval if BR waives its closing condition that it receive an opinion of its counsel to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

For purposes of the merger agreement, “material adverse effect” means, with respect to either ConocoPhillips or BR, as applicable, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, results of operations or financial condition of such entity and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the ability of such entity to complete the merger and any other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, except, in each case, for any such effect attributable to:

 

    general regulatory or economic conditions (including prevailing interest rate and stock market levels) in the United States or the other countries in which such entity operates;

 

    changes in, or events or conditions generally affecting the industries in which such entity operates (including changes to commodity prices); or

 

    other than with respect to certain representations and warranties of ConocoPhillips and BR, the negotiation, announcement, execution, delivery or consummation of the merger agreement or the merger.

 

Any party seeking to claim that a material adverse effect has occurred with respect to the other party has the burden of proof to establish that any adverse effect is attributable to conditions, changes or events other than the effects attributable to the matters described in the three bullets immediately above.

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement

 

Right to Terminate. The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing in any of the following ways:

 

    by mutual written consent of ConocoPhillips and BR;

 

    by either ConocoPhillips or BR if:

 

    the merger has not been completed by June 12, 2007 (provided that neither party may terminate if its failure to fulfill any of its obligations under the merger agreement has been the primary cause of, or resulted in, the failure to complete the merger by such date);

 

73


Table of Contents
    the approval of BR stockholders has not been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at the BR special meeting of stockholders or at any adjournment of that special meeting; or

 

    there is a permanent legal prohibition to closing the merger, or a governmental entity has failed to take actions necessary to fulfill certain closing conditions (provided that neither party may terminate if its failure to fulfill its obligations under the merger agreement has been the primary cause of, or resulted in, such legal action or inaction); or

 

    the other party has breached any of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations under the merger agreement, and that breach would result in the failure to satisfy certain specified closing conditions and is incapable of being cured, or, if capable of being cured, has not been cured by the earlier of June 12, 2007, or the date within 30 days after the party alleged to have breached receives written notice of the breach (provided that neither party may terminate if such party is then in material breach of the merger agreement);

 

    by ConocoPhillips if:

 

    the BR board of directors fails to recommend the merger agreement or withdraws, qualifies or modifies in a manner adverse to ConocoPhillips its approval or recommendation of the merger agreement;

 

    BR materially breaches its obligation to call the BR stockholder meeting or to comply with its obligations under the merger agreement with respect to this proxy statement/prospectus; or

 

    BR materially breaches its obligations described above under “—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals”; or

 

    by BR, prior to adoption by BR’s stockholders of the merger agreement if the BR board of directors has determined that it has received a superior proposal and BR has complied with its obligations under the no-solicitation provisions of the merger agreement, described above under “—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals.”

 

If the merger agreement is validly terminated, the agreement will become void without any liability on the part of any party unless such party is in breach. However, certain provisions of the merger agreement, including, among others, those provisions relating to expenses and termination fees, will continue in effect notwithstanding termination of the merger agreement.

 

Termination Fees Payable by BR. BR has agreed to pay ConocoPhillips a termination fee of $1.0 billion in cash if BR terminates the merger agreement prior to adoption by BR’s stockholders of the merger agreement if the BR board of directors has determined that it has received a superior proposal and BR has complied with its obligations with respect to non-solicitation of other acquisition proposals as described above in “—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals.”

 

BR has also agreed to pay ConocoPhillips a termination fee of $1.0 billion in cash if:

 

  (1) (a) ConocoPhillips terminates the merger agreement:

 

  (i) because BR has breached any of its representations, warranties, covenants or obligations under the merger agreement, and that breach would result in the failure to satisfy certain specified closing conditions and is incapable of being cured, or, if capable of being cured, has not been cured by the earlier of June 12, 2007 or the date within 30 days after BR receives written notice of the breach; or

 

  (ii) because (A) the BR board of directors failed to recommend the merger agreement to its stockholders or has otherwise changed or proposed publicly to change its recommendation of the merger agreement to its stockholders; (B) BR failed to comply with its obligation to hold the BR stockholders’ special meeting or to obtain SEC clearance for this proxy statement/prospectus; or (C) BR has materially breached its obligations under the merger agreement with respect to non-solicitation of other acquisition proposals as described above in “—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals”; and

 

74


Table of Contents
  (b) at any time prior to any such termination, an acquisition proposal with respect to BR has been announced or otherwise communicated to the senior management, board of directors or stockholders of BR, which proposal has not been withdrawn prior to such termination; or

 

  (2) either ConocoPhillips or BR terminates the merger agreement because BR’s stockholders fail to adopt the merger agreement and, at any time prior to the BR stockholders’ special meeting, an acquisition proposal has been publicly announced or otherwise communicated to BR’s stockholders and the proposal is not withdrawn prior to the BR stockholders’ special meeting; and

 

within twelve months of any termination of the merger agreement described in (1) or (2) above, BR or any of its subsidiaries enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates, an acquisition proposal (as such term is defined in “—Covenants—Acquisition Proposals,” except that the references in the definition of “acquisition proposal” to “20%” are, for purposes of this termination fee determination, changed to “50%”) with any third party.

 

Expenses

 

Except as described above in “—Termination of the Merger Agreement,” all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement and related transactions will be paid by the party incurring such costs or expenses, except that ConocoPhillips and BR will share equally the expenses incurred in connection with printing, mailing and filing this proxy statement/prospectus and fees paid to consultants ConocoPhillips and BR have agreed to retain in respect of the HSR Act, the EC Merger Regulation, the Canadian Competition Act and Investment Regulations or other antitrust, competition or pre merger notification, trade regulation law, regulation or order in connection with the merger.

 

Amendments; Waivers

 

Any provision of the merger agreement may be amended or waived prior to closing if the amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by ConocoPhillips, BR and merger sub by action taken or authorized by such party’s board of directors or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. After the adoption of the merger agreement by the stockholders of BR, no amendment may be made which, by law or in accordance with the rules of any relevant stock exchange, requires further approval by BR’s stockholders without such further approval.

 

75


Table of Contents

INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

This proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to BR stockholders by BR’s board of directors in connection with the solicitation of proxies from the holders of BR common stock for use at the special meeting of BR stockholders and any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus also is being furnished to BR stockholders as a prospectus of ConocoPhillips in connection with the issuance by ConocoPhillips of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock to BR stockholders in connection with the merger.

 

Date, Time and Place

 

The special meeting of stockholders of BR will be held on [            ], 2006 at [            ], [Central Daylight Time], at [            ].

 

Matters to Be Considered

 

At the special meeting, BR stockholders will be asked:

 

    to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement;

 

    to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement; and

 

    to consider and transact any other business as may properly be brought before the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

At this time, the BR board of directors is unaware of any matters, other than those set forth in the preceding sentence, that may properly come before the special meeting.

 

Stockholders Entitled to Vote

 

The close of business on [            ] has been fixed by BR’s board of directors as the record date for the determination of those holders of BR common stock who are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

At the close of business on the record date, there were [            ] shares of BR common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, held by approximately [            ] holders of record. A list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available for examination by BR stockholders for any purpose germane to the meeting. The list will be available at the meeting and for ten days prior to the meeting during ordinary business hours by contacting BR’s Corporate Secretary at 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

Quorum and Required Vote

 

Each holder of record of shares of BR common stock as of the record date is entitled to cast one vote per share at the special meeting on each proposal. The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of BR common stock outstanding as of the record date constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of BR common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting is required to approve and adopt the merger agreement.

 

As of the record date for the special meeting, directors and executive officers of BR and their affiliates beneficially owned an aggregate of [            ] shares of BR common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. These shares represent less than 1% of the BR common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of the record date. Although these individuals are not party to any voting agreements with BR or ConocoPhillips and do not have any obligations to vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement, they have indicated their intention to vote their outstanding shares of BR common stock in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

76


Table of Contents

As of [            ], ConocoPhillips and its directors, executive officers and their affiliates owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of BR common stock.

 

How Shares Will Be Voted at the Special Meeting

 

All shares of BR common stock represented by properly executed proxies received before or at the special meeting, and not properly revoked, will be voted as specified in the proxies. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted FOR the approval and adoption of the merger agreement and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

 

A properly executed proxy marked “Abstain” with respect to any proposal will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the special meeting. However, because approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

If you hold shares of BR common stock in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or nominee may vote your shares only in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give specific instructions to your bank, broker or nominee as to how you want your shares voted, your bank, broker or nominee will indicate that it does not have authority to vote on the proposal, which will result in what is called a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum present at the special meeting, but because approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, broker non-votes will have the same practical effect as a vote AGAINST the merger agreement.

 

If any other matters are properly brought before the special meeting, the proxies named in the proxy card will have discretion to vote the shares represented by duly executed proxies in their sole discretion.

 

How to Vote Your Shares

 

Registered Stockholders

 

Registered stockholders may vote by one of the following methods:

 

    By Mail. You may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope;

 

    By Telephone. You may vote by telephone (from U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada only) using the toll-free number listed on the proxy card. Please have your proxy card in hand when you call. Easy-to-follow voice prompts allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. Telephone voting facilities will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [            ], 2006;

 

    By Internet. You may vote electronically on the Internet, using the web site listed on the proxy card. Please have your proxy card in hand when you log onto the web site. Internet voting facilities will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [            ], 2006; or

 

    In Person. You may vote in person at the special meeting.

 

Street-name Stockholders

 

If your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must follow the instructions on the form you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee in order for your shares to be voted. Please follow their instructions carefully. Also, please note that if the holder of record of your shares is a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the special meeting, you must request a legal proxy from the bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares and present that proxy and proof of identification at the special meeting to vote your shares.

 

77


Table of Contents

Based on the instructions provided by the broker, bank or other nominee holder of record of their shares, street-name stockholders may generally vote by one of the following methods:

 

    By Mail. You may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the enclosed pre-addressed envelope;

 

    By Methods Listed on Proxy Card. Please refer to your voting card or other information forwarded by your bank, broker or other nominee holder of record to determine whether you may vote by telephone or electronically on the Internet, following the instructions on the card or other information provided by the record holder; or

 

    In Person with a Proxy from the Record Holder. A street-name stockholder who wishes to vote at the special meeting will need to obtain a legal proxy from his or her bank or brokerage firm. Please consult the voting form sent to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to determine how to obtain a legal proxy to vote in person at the special meeting.

 

How to Change Your Vote

 

If you are a registered stockholder, you may revoke your proxy at any time before the shares are voted at the special meeting by:

 

    sending a written notice to the Corporate Secretary of BR, 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002, by the close of business on [            ], 2006, indicating you are revoking your earlier proxy;

 

    completing, signing and timely submitting a new proxy card to the addressee indicated on the pre-addressed envelope enclosed with your initial proxy card by the close of business on [            ], 2006. The latest dated and signed proxy actually received by such addressee before the special meeting will be counted, and any earlier proxies will be considered revoked; or

 

    attending the special meeting and voting in person.

 

If you vote your shares by telephone or via the Internet, you may revoke your prior telephone or Internet vote by:

 

    subsequently recording a different vote by telephone or Internet;

 

    signing and returning a proxy card after your last telephone or Internet vote; or

 

    attending the special meeting and voting in person.

 

Merely attending the special meeting will not revoke any prior votes or proxies; you must vote at the special meeting to revoke a prior proxy.

 

If you are a street-name stockholder and you vote by proxy, you may later revoke your proxy instructions by informing the holder of record in accordance with that entity’s procedures.

 

Solicitation of Proxies

 

In addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and employees of BR may solicit proxies for the special meeting from BR stockholders personally or by telephone, facsimile and other electronic means without compensation other than reimbursement for their actual expenses.

 

The expenses incurred in connection with the filing, printing and mailing of this document will be shared equally by BR and ConocoPhillips. BR has also made arrangements with D.F. King & Co., New York, New York to assist BR in soliciting proxies for the special meeting and has agreed to pay D.F. King & Co. a fee not expected to exceed $[            ], plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, for these services. Arrangements also

 

78


Table of Contents

will be made with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares of BR common stock held of record by those persons, and BR will, if requested, reimburse the record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing.

 

Recommendation of the BR Board of Directors

 

The BR board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the transactions it contemplates, including the merger. The BR board of directors has unanimously determined that the merger is advisable and in the best interests of BR and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that BR stockholders vote FOR approval and adoption of the merger agreement. See “The Merger—BR’s Reasons for the Merger and the BR Board’s Recommendation” beginning on page 29 for a more detailed discussion of the BR board of directors’ recommendation.

 

Special Meeting Admission

 

If you wish to attend the special meeting in person, you must present either an admission ticket or appropriate proof of ownership of BR stock, as well as a form of personal identification. If you are a registered stockholder and plan to attend the meeting in person, please mark the attendance box on your proxy card and bring the tear-off admission ticket with you to the meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of BR common stock that is held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need proof of ownership to be admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement or a letter from your bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership.

 

No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the meeting.

 

Voting and Elections by Participants in the BR Plans

 

The BR Retirement Savings Plan provides that the trustee of the plan will vote shares of BR common stock held in the plan that are allocated to each participant’s account in accordance with the participant’s instructions. The plan also provides that the trustee of the plan will vote shares as to which no voting instructions are received (and unallocated shares, if any) in the same proportion as are voted the shares for which voting instructions have been received, unless the Trustee determines that it must vote such shares in a different manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Each stockholder who holds shares of BR common stock in an account under the plan will receive a voting instruction form and the same proxy solicitation material as sent to stockholders generally for the purpose of providing voting instructions to the trustee of the plan.

 

79


Table of Contents

COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS

 

The rights of BR stockholders under Delaware law, the BR certificate of incorporation and the BR by-laws prior to the merger are substantially the same as the rights ConocoPhillips stockholders will have following the merger under Delaware law, the ConocoPhillips restated certificate of incorporation and the ConocoPhillips by-laws. The chart below summarizes the principal rights of BR and ConocoPhillips stockholders, respectively, including the limitations on such rights. Copies of the BR certificate of incorporation, the BR by-laws, the ConocoPhillips restated certificate of incorporation and the ConocoPhillips by-laws are available to holders of shares of BR common stock upon request without charge. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100. The summary contained in the following chart is qualified by reference to Delaware law, the BR certificate of incorporation, the BR by-laws, the ConocoPhillips restated certificate of incorporation and the ConocoPhillips by-laws.

 

    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


Capital Stock    BR’s certificate of incorporation authorizes BR to issue 650,000,000 shares of common stock and 75,000,000 shares of preferred stock.    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation authorizes ConocoPhillips to issue 2,500,000,000 shares of common stock and 500,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
     BR’s board of directors has the authority to issue one or more series of preferred stock, having terms designated by BR’s board. As of January 6, 2006, there were 375,332,950 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.    ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has the authority to issue one or more series of preferred stock, having terms designated by ConocoPhillips’ board. As of December 8, 2005, there were 1,423,689,904 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
     BR’s common stock is listed on the NYSE.    ConocoPhillips’ common stock is listed on the NYSE.
Voting Rights    Each share of BR’s common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote.    Each share of ConocoPhillips’ common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote.
Conversion Rights    BR common stock is not subject to any conversion rights.    ConocoPhillips’ common stock is not subject to any conversion rights.
Stockholder Proposals    BR’s by-laws provide that any stockholder who intends to bring a matter before the annual stockholders’ meeting must deliver written notice of his or her intent to do so to the secretary of the corporation. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, the secretary must receive the notice no later than 60 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which BR first mailed its proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders, unless the date of the annual meeting has been advanced by more than 30 days prior or delayed by 30 days after the anniversary of the last   

ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation provides that no business other than business stated in the notice of a special meeting shall be conducted at a special meeting.

 

ConocoPhillips’ by-laws provide that any stockholder who intends to bring a matter before the annual stockholders’ meeting must deliver notice to ConocoPhillips’ secretary not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting. However, if the annual meeting date is not set to be held within 30 days before or after the anniversary of the last annual

 

80


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


    

annual meeting, in which case the notice must be delivered on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day after the public announcement of the change in meeting time. See the subsection entitled “—Nomination of Directors” below for more information.

 

In any case, the business to be brought before the annual meeting must be a proper matter for stockholder action and the notice must include:

   meeting, notice from a stockholder will only be timely if received no later than the later of 90 days before the anniversary of the previous annual meeting or the 10th day after the notice of such a meeting was mailed or publicly disclosed.
    

•      a brief description of each matter desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for bringing such matter;

 

•      the name and address of the proposing stockholder;

 

•      the class and number of shares of BR that are owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder presenting the proposed business;

 

•      a description of any material interest of the proponent in the business being brought; and

 

•      a statement as to whether the proponent intends to deliver a proxy statement and a form of proxy to a sufficient number of stockholders.

  

To be in proper form a stockholder’s notice must include:

 

•      a brief description of the business the stockholder wants to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting that business;

 

•      the name and record address of the stockholder bringing the business, and the class and number of shares owned beneficially or of record by that stockholder;

 

•      any arrangements between the proposing stockholder and other individuals in connection with the proposed business;

 

•      any material interest of the proposing stockholder in the proposed business; and

     If the proposing stockholder gives notice of intent to deliver a proxy, that stockholder must deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting stockholders required to carry such proposal.   

•      a representation that the proposing stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring the proposed business before the meeting.

Nomination of Directors    BR’s by-laws provide that a BR stockholder may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at an annual or special meeting called for the election of directors, but only if the stockholder delivers written notice of his or her intent to make the nomination to BR’s secretary. The timing requirements for receiving the notice are similar to those for receiving notice of stockholder proposals described above.    ConocoPhillips’ by-laws provide that a ConocoPhillips stockholder may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, but only if the stockholder delivers written notice of his or her intent to make the nominations to ConocoPhillips’ secretary. The timing requirements for receiving notice are similar to those for receiving notice of stockholder proposals described above.

 

81


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


    

The notice must include:

 

•      such information concerning each nominee as would be required under Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of the nominee as a director; and

 

•      a written and signed consent of each nominee to serve as a BR director if elected.

 

In addition, if the number of directors to be elected to the board of directors is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased board of directors at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice will be deemed to be timely received, but only with respect to the nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is delivered on or prior to the close of business on the 10th day following the date of public disclosure of the meeting date.

 

For a special meeting, nominations of persons to be elected to the board of directors by or at the direction of the board of directors or a nominating stockholder must be made by notice to the corporation no later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the date of public disclosure of the special meeting date.

  

The notice must include the following information about the proposed nominee:

 

•      name, age, business address and residence address;

 

•      principal occupation or employment; and

 

•      the class and number of shares of capital stock of ConcoPhillips owned beneficially or of record by the nominee that would have to be disclosed in a proxy statement under Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules made under the Section.

 

The notice must also include the following information:

 

•      name and address;

 

•      the class and number of shares owned beneficially or of record;

 

•      a description of all arrangements between the nominating stockholder and the proposed nominee or any other persons relating to the nomination;

 

•      a representation that the nominating stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person named in its notice; and any other information relating to the nominating stockholder that would have to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing that must be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election; and

 

•      the notice must contain the written consent of each nominee to be nominated and to serve as a director if elected.

Advance Notice of Stockholder Meetings    BR’s by-laws provide that written notice of meetings, whether special or annual, shall be given to stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting.    ConocoPhillips’ by-laws and restated certificate of incorporation do not discuss stockholder notice for annual meetings. Delaware statute provides that when the certificate of incorporation and by-laws are silent, notice of a meeting must be

 

82


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


          given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.
          ConocoPhillips’ by-laws provide that notice of special meetings must be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.
Calling Special Meetings of Stockholders    BR’s by-laws provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by a majority of the board of directors, the chairman of the board, or the president.    ConocoPhillips’ by-laws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may only be called by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution stating the purpose or purposes thereof or by the chairman (if there is a chairman).
Quorum    BR’s by-laws provide that a majority of the outstanding shares of BR entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, constitutes a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. A majority of outstanding shares of any class or classes whose specific vote is required, present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of stockholders, constitutes a quorum.    ConocoPhillips’ by-laws provide that a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for action at a meeting of stockholders.
Number of Directors    BR’s by-laws provide that the number of directors be no less than 3, with the exact number to be determined by a vote of a majority of directors then in office. There are currently 15 directors.    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that the number of directors be no less than 6 and no more than 20, with the exact number to be determined from time to time by the board of directors. There are currently 15 directors.
Classification of Board of Directors    The board is not classified.    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation states that the board shall be divided into three classes. Each class is to consist of, as closely as possible, one third of the number of total directors. Each director shall serve for a term that ends on the date of the third annual meeting after s/he was elected.
Removal of Directors    BR’s by-laws provide that directors may be removed for cause, at any special meeting of stockholders, by a majority vote of stockholders entitled to vote for the election such director.    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed for cause by the vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the number of outstanding shares entitled to vote.
Filling of Board Vacancies    BR’s by-laws provide that vacancies in the board and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a    ConocoPhillips’ by-laws provide that all vacancies may be filled by a majority of the directors in office at the time of the vacancy, even if those directors

 

83


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


     quorum, or by a sole remaining director, at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors. Vacancies caused by removal of directors by the stockholders may be filled by stockholders at the meeting removing such director.    constitute less than a quorum or if there is only one director left.
Action by Written Consent    BR’s certificate of incorporation provides that no action of stockholders may be taken by written consent without a meeting.    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation provides that no action of stockholders may be taken by written consent without a meeting.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation    BR’s certificate of incorporation may be amended if approved by the board of directors and by a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on such amendment.    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation may generally be amended if approved by the board of directors and by a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on such amendment.
    

The following provisions of BR’s certificate of incorporation may be amended only by holders of at least 51% of the shares entitled to vote for the election of the directors:

 

•      provisions relating to any business combination; and

 

•      provisions limiting stockholder action by written consent.

  

The following provisions of ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation may only be amended by an 80% stockholder vote:

 

•      provisions relating to the directors, including the number of directors and vacancies;

 

•      provisions limiting stockholder action at annual meetings; and

 

•      provisions regarding director liability.

          The provision of ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation establishing the name of ConocoPhillips may only be amended by an 80% stockholder vote acting on the unanimous recommendation of the entire board of directors.
Amendment of By-laws    BR’s by-laws may be amended or repealed and new by-laws may be made by the affirmative vote, at any meeting of the board of directors, of a majority of the board of directors, subject to the rights of the stockholders of BR to amend or repeal the by-laws by majority vote of stockholders present or represented at a stockholders meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. However, notice of the proposed action must be included in the notice of the stockholder meeting.   

ConocoPhillips’ by-laws may be amended or repealed by a majority of votes entitled to vote on the amendment or repeal. ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation provides that an 80% stockholder vote is required to amend or repeal the following provisions of the by-laws:

 

•      provision for time and place of special meetings;

 

•      provision prohibiting stockholder action by written consent;

 

•      provision for nomination of directors;

 

•      provision for stockholder business at annual meetings;

 

84


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


         

•      provision for number, classification, and qualification of directors;

 

•      provision for removal of directors; and

 

•      article regarding officers of ConocoPhillips.

Stockholder Rights Plan   

On December 9, 1998, the board of directors of BR adopted a stockholder rights plan and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each share of common stock, $.01 par value, of BR outstanding as of the close of business on December 16, 1998.

 

If any person commences a tender or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in such person becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of BR common stock, or thereafter BR is involved in a merger or other business combination in which 50% or more of BR’s assets or earning power is sold, each purchase right will entitle its holder to receive, upon exercise, BR common stock (or, in the case of a merger or other business combination, stock of the acquiring company) having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the purchase right.

 

Each share of Series A Junior Participating Stock entitles the holder to purchase 1/100th of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, at a price of $200, subject to adjustment.

 

Until exercised, the holder of a right to purchase Series A Participating Preferred Stock does not have any rights as a stockholder of BR, including voting or dividend rights. Upon exercise, each share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock will:

 

•      be non-redeemable and junior to any other series of preferred stock of BR;

  

In connection with their stockholder rights plan, the board of directors authorized the issuance of a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each share of ConocoPhillips common stock on June 30, 2002.

 

If any person commences a tender or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in such person becoming the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the common shares of ConocoPhillips, the rights entitle stockholders to purchase 1/100th of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share for the exercise price of $300.

 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock have rights including:

 

•      Entitlement to preferential quarterly dividends declared by the board of directors in a per share amount equal to the greater of $1 or 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends and other distributions declared on the common stock since the last date of dividend distribution.

 

•      Entitlement to 100 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of common stock.

 

85


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


    

•      have a preferential quarterly dividend in an amount equal to 100 times the dividend declared on each share of common stock, but in no event less than $25 (the equivalent of $.25 per share of common stock);

 

•      in the event of liquidation, receive a preferred liquidation payment equal to the greater of 100 times $1.50 or 100 times the payment made per each share of common stock;

 

•      have 100 votes, voting together with the shares of common stock; and

 

•      in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of common stock are exchanged, entitle the holder to receive 100 times the amount and type of consideration received per share of common stock.

 

However, BR intends to amend its stockholder rights plan so that it will not apply to the merger and will terminate on the effective date of the merger.

    
Certain Business Combinations    BR’s certificate of incorporation provides that holders of 51% of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation must approve business combinations with interested stockholders. Interested stockholders are defined as (1) those owning 10% or more of BR voting stock or (2) an affiliate of BR which (x) was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting stock, or (y) at the completion of the business combination will be the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting stock. However, such approval is not required if the board of directors determines that either:    ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation provides that if certain transactions are proposed with any affiliate or person owning more than 15% of ConocoPhillips’ common shares, those transactions must be approved by a supermajority of shares entitled to vote. Persons holding 15% or more of the outstanding shares are defined as related persons.
    

•      the interested stockholder owns more than 80% of the outstanding shares of BR and has declared its intention to vote to approve the business combination; or

 

•      the fair market value of the consideration to be received per share in the business combination is worth at least as much as the consideration

  

For the following transactions, a vote of 80% of the shares entitled to vote, or 66 2/3% of shares entitled to vote excluding shares held by a “related person”, is required to approve the transaction:

 

•      any merger or consolidation of ConocoPhillips or its subsidiaries with or into any related person or affiliate of any related person;

 

86


Table of Contents
    

BR Stockholder Rights


  

ConocoPhillips Stockholder Rights


    

paid by the interested stockholder of that class in acquiring the largest number of shares or a series of related shares of that class previously acquired in any one transaction or a series of related transactions and the interested stockholder hasn’t received the benefit of any loans or other financial assistance from the corporation.

  

•      any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of ConocoPhillips to a related person;

 

•      any reclassification of securities for which stockholder approval is required;

 

•      any share exchange of the corporation which would require a stockholder vote and would result in an increase of more than 1% of a related person’s ownership of ConocoPhillips; or

 

•      any dissolution of ConocoPhillips proposed by or on behalf of a related person or any of their affiliates.

 

The above supermajority provisions do not apply if:

 

•      the board approves the transaction before the related person acquires more than 15% of the common shares of ConocoPhillips;

 

•      the consideration received per share by ConocoPhillips stockholders is the same in form and amount as what the related person paid in a tender or exchange offer that resulted in the related person acquiring more than 50% of ConocoPhillips’ outstanding stock; or

 

•      the consideration received per share by ConocoPhillips stockholders is not less in amount than the highest price the related person paid in the previous year for ConocoPhillips common stock (purchases which resulted in ConocoPhillips owning more than 15% are included in this provision).

 

87


Table of Contents

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

AND CERTAIN OTHER HOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth information about the only known beneficial owners of more than 5% of BR’s common stock as of January 6, 2006. This information with respect to the number of shares owned is based solely on BR’s review of Schedule 13Ds and 13Gs filed by such beneficial owners with the SEC.

 

Name and Address of

Beneficial Owner


  

Number of

Shares


  

Percent of

Class


 

Capital Research and Management Company(1)

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071

   42,080,000    11.2 %

FMR Corp., Edward C. Johnson 3d and Abigail P. Johnson(2)

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

   21,750,423    5.8 %

Harris Associates L.P. and Harris Associates Inc.(3)

Two North LaSalle Street, Suite 500

Chicago, Illinois 60602-3790

   21,409,188    5.7 %

NOTES

(1) In its Schedule 13G filed February 11, 2005, with respect to its securities as of December 31, 2004, Capital Research and Management Company states that it has sole voting power as to no shares, shared voting power as to no shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 42,080,000 shares and shared dispositive power as to no shares. The Growth Fund of America, Inc. states that it has sole voting power as to 19,760,000 shares, shared voting power as to no shares, sole dispositive power with respect to no shares and shared dispositive power with respect to no shares.
(2) In its Schedule 13G filed February 14, 2005, with respect to its securities as of December 31, 2004, FMR Corp. states that it has sole voting power as to 1,177,853 shares, shared voting power as to no shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 21,750,423 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to no shares. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Johnson state that they each have sole and shared voting power as to no shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 21,750,423 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to no shares.
(3) In its Schedule 13G filed February 11, 2005, with respect to its securities as of December 31, 2004, Harris Associates L.P. states that it has sole voting power as to no shares, shared voting power as to 21,409,188 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 5,453,388 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 15,955,800 shares. Harris Associates Inc. states that it has sole voting power as to no shares, shared voting power as to 21,409,188 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 5,453,388 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 15,955,800 shares.

 

88


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the number of shares of BR common stock beneficially owned as of January 6, 2006 by each BR director and executive officer individually and by all BR directors and executive officers as a group. No individual BR director or executive officer beneficially owns 1% or more of BR’s outstanding common stock, nor do the BR directors and executive officers as a group.

 

     Number of Shares

   Percent of Class

Name


  

Beneficially

Owned(1)


  

Deferral

Plans(2)


   Total

  

Barbara T. Alexander

   18,000    6,052    24,052            *        

Reuben V. Anderson

   28,000    20,627    48,627            *        

Mark E. Ellis

   47,000    36,829    83,829            *        

Laird I. Grant

   41,524    31,286    72,810            *        

L. David Hanower

   171,126    44,055    215,181            *        

Robert J. Harding

   24,000    16,875    40,875            *        

John T. LaMacchia

   20,000    19,356    39,356            *        

Randy L. Limbacher

   274,900    56,126    331,026            *        

Joseph P. McCoy

   45,825    45,484    91,309            *        

James F. McDonald

   40,056    16,776    56,832            *        

Kenneth W. Orce(3)

   53,250    23,551    76,801            *        

Donald M. Roberts

   84,490    45,460    129,950            *        

James A. Runde

   18,000    9,234    27,234            *        

John F. Schwarz

   54,176    24,924    79,100            *        

Walter Scott, Jr.

   44,592    42,610    87,202            *        

Bobby S. Shackouls

   435,000    86,812    521,812            *        

Steven J. Shapiro

   384,219    168,122    552,341            *        

William E. Wade, Jr.

   28,600    11,916    40,516            *        

John A. Williams

   102,962    22,307    125,269            *        
    
  
  
  

All BR directors and named executive officers as a group
(19 persons)

   1,915,720    728,402    2,644,122            *        

* Less than 1%.

 

NOTES

 

(1) For purposes of this table, shares are considered to be “beneficially” owned if the person, directly or indirectly, has sole or shared voting or investment power with respect to such shares. In addition, a person is deemed to beneficially own shares if that person has the right to acquire such shares within 60 days of January 6, 2006. As a result, the number of shares shown in this column includes for Ms. Alexander 18,000 shares, for Mr. Anderson 26,000 shares, for Mr. Ellis 30,000 shares, for Ms. Grant 30,000 shares, for Mr. Hanower 102,500 shares, for Mr. Harding 22,000 shares, for Mr. LaMacchia 4,000 shares, for Mr. Limbacher 192,500 shares, for Mr. McCoy 21,600 shares, for Mr. McDonald 32,000 shares, for Mr. Orce 34,000 shares, for Mr. Roberts 32,000 shares, for Mr. Runde 18,000 shares, for Mr. Schwarz 49,252 shares, for Mr. Scott 32,000 shares, for Mr. Shackouls 250,000 shares, for Mr. Shapiro 262,300 shares, for Mr. Wade 26,000 shares, for Mr. Williams 52,500 shares and for all BR directors and executive officers as a group, 1,234,652 shares, which such person (or group) has the right to acquire within 60 days of January 6, 2006. For Messrs. Shackouls, Limbacher, Shapiro, Hanower, Williams, Ellis and McCoy the number of shares shown in this column includes 145,000, 50,000, 60,000, 37,500, 37,500, 5,000 and 16,625 shares of common stock, respectively, subject to restrictions. Unless otherwise indicated below, the directors and executive officers named in the table above have sole voting and investment authority with respect to the shares set forth in the table.
(2) These shares represent the economic equivalent of shares of common stock, and were received as a result of grants under BR’s Phantom Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors and several deferred compensation plans of BR but does not include any adjustments to such number that will result by reason of the payment of a $0.10 per share dividend payable on January 10, 2006 on each share of BR common stock. These share equivalents are subject to common stock market price fluctuations and are non-voting.
(3) Excludes 3,600 shares of BR common stock owned by trusts of which Mr. Orce’s wife is trustee and their children are beneficiaries. Mr. Orce disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.

 

89


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CONOCOPHILLIPS CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following describes the material terms of the capital stock of ConocoPhillips. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws of ConocoPhillips which are available upon request without charge. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” on page 100 for more information about the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

The authorized capital stock of ConocoPhillips currently consists of 2.5 billion shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 500 million shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. As of December 8, 2005, there were 1,423,689,904 shares of ConocoPhillips common stock outstanding.

 

ConocoPhillips Common Stock

 

The holders of ConocoPhillips common stock are entitled to receive such dividends or distributions as are lawfully declared on ConocoPhillips common stock, to have notice of any authorized meeting of stockholders, and to one vote for each share of ConocoPhillips common stock on all matters which are properly submitted to a vote of ConocoPhillips stockholders. As a Delaware corporation, ConocoPhillips is subject to statutory limitations on the declaration and payment of dividends. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ConocoPhillips, holders of ConocoPhillips common stock have the right to a ratable portion of assets remaining after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of creditors, including holders of ConocoPhillips’ indebtedness, all liabilities and the aggregate liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of ConocoPhillips preferred stock. The holders of ConocoPhillips common stock have no conversion, redemption, preemptive or cumulative voting rights. All outstanding shares of ConocoPhillips common stock are, and the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock to be issued in the merger will be, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. At [            ], 200[    ], there were approximately [            ] holders of ConocoPhillips common stock.

 

ConocoPhillips Preferred Stock

 

ConocoPhillips’ restated certificate of incorporation expressly authorizes the board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series, to establish the number of shares in any series and to set the designation and preferences of any series and the powers, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions on each series of preferred stock.

 

Note on Delaware Law Change regarding Uncertificated Shares

 

On August 1, 2005, Delaware law changed to permit corporations incorporated in Delaware to issue stock only in book entry, or uncertificated, form. This law change will allow companies to eliminate the physical handling and safekeeping responsibilities associated with owning transferable stock certificates and also the need to return a duly executed stock certificate to transfer the stock represented by the physical certificates. ConocoPhillips currently expects that it will avail itself of the new law. Therefore, if ConocoPhillips changes to book-entry only shares and the merger occurs after this change is made, then shares issued to former BR stockholders pursuant to the merger will be in book-entry form only and no stock certificates representing those shares will be issued. Instead, the exchange agent will send a confirmation of the number of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock held by each holder in book-entry form.

 

Mellon Investor Services LLP will continue to act as the registrar and transfer agent for ConocoPhillips common stock after the merger. After the merger, holders will be able to transfer shares of ConocoPhillips common stock held in book-entry form by mailing to Mellon Investor Services LLP a transfer and assignment form, which Mellon Investor Services LLP will provide to holders at no charge upon written request.

 

90


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The following unaudited pro forma financial statements combine the historical consolidated balance sheets and statements of income of ConocoPhillips and BR, giving effect to the merger using the purchase method of accounting.

 

We are providing the information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger. The historical statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2004, were derived from the audited financial statements of ConocoPhillips and BR contained in each company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, which reports are incorporated into this document by reference. The historical statements of income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, and the historical balance sheets at September 30, 2005, were derived from the unaudited financial information of the companies. You should read the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements below together with the historical financial statements and related notes contained in the annual reports and other information that both companies have filed with the SEC, and incorporated by reference into this document. See “Additional Information for Stockholders—Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 100.

 

The unaudited pro forma combined statements of income assume the merger was effected on January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet gives effect to the merger as if it had occurred on September 30, 2005. The accounting policies of ConocoPhillips and BR are comparable.

 

The unaudited pro forma combined information is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. Further, the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements do not reflect the effect of asset dispositions, if any, that may be required by order of regulatory authorities; restructuring charges that will be incurred to fully integrate and operate the combined organization more efficiently; or anticipated synergies resulting from the merger. You should not rely on the pro forma combined financial information as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that ConocoPhillips will experience.

 

91


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

     Millions of Dollars

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004


   ConocoPhillips

    BR*

    Pro Forma
Adjustments


    ConocoPhillips
and BR Pro
Forma
Combined


 

Revenues

                                

Sales and other operating revenues

   $ 135,076     $ 5,611     $ (571 )(e)   $ 140,116  

Equity in earnings of affiliates

     1,535       7       —         1,542  

Other income

     305       (2 )     —         303  
    


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     136,916       5,616       (571 )     141,961  
    


 


 


 


Costs and Expenses

                                

Purchased crude oil, natural gas and products

     90,182       —         (571 )(e)     89,611  

Production and operating expenses

     7,372       1,042       —         8,414  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     2,128       238       —         2,366  

Exploration expenses

     703       258       —         961  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     3,798       1,110       1,468 (h)     6,376  

Property impairments

     164       90       —         254  

Taxes other than income taxes

     17,487       260       —         17,747  

Accretion on discounted liabilities

     171       27       —         198  

Interest and debt expense

     546       292       565 (b)     1,403  

Foreign currency transaction gains

     (36 )     (5 )     —         (41 )

Minority interests

     32       —         —         32  
    


 


 


 


Total Costs and Expenses

     122,547       3,312       1,462       127,321  
    


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     14,369       2,304       (2,033 )     14,640  

Provision for income taxes

     6,262       777       (668 )(f)     6,371  
    


 


 


 


Income From Continuing Operations

   $ 8,107     $ 1,527     $ (1,365 )   $ 8,269  
    


 


 


 


Income From Continuing Operations Per Share of Common Stock (dollars)**

                                

Basic

   $ 5.87     $ 3.90             $ 5.00  

Diluted

     5.79       3.86               4.94  
    


 


         


Average Common Shares Outstanding**

    (in thousands)

                                

Basic

     1,381,568       391,914               1,652,333 (d)

Diluted

     1,401,300       395,240               1,674,707 (d)
    


 


         



  * Certain amounts reclassified to conform to ConocoPhillips’ presentation.
** ConocoPhillips’ per-share amounts and average number of common shares outstanding reflect a two-for-one stock split effected as a 100% stock dividend on June 1, 2005.

 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

 

92


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

     Millions of Dollars

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005


   ConocoPhillips

   BR*

   Pro Forma
Adjustments


    ConocoPhillips
and BR Pro
Forma
Combined


 
                        

Revenues

                              

Sales and other operating revenues

   $ 128,184    $ 5,207    $ (692 )(e)   $ 132,699  

Equity in earnings of affiliates

     2,626      8      —         2,634  

Other income

     381      169      —         550  
    

  

  


 


Total Revenues

     131,191      5,384      (692 )     135,883  
    

  

  


 


Costs and Expenses

                              

Purchased crude oil, natural gas and products

     88,603      —        (692 )(e)     87,911  

Production and operating expenses

     6,081      855      —         6,936  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,690      225      —         1,915  

Exploration expenses

     432      183      —         615  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     3,075      953      981 (h)     5,009  

Property impairments

     31      —        —         31  

Taxes other than income taxes

     13,758      250      —         14,008  

Accretion on discounted liabilities

     135      22      —         157  

Interest and debt expense

     387      214      423 (b)     1,024  

Foreign currency transaction losses

     52      19      —         71  

Minority interests

     21      —        —         21  
    

  

  


 


Total Costs and Expenses

     114,265      2,721      712       117,698  
    

  

  


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     16,926      2,663      (1,404 )     18,185  

Provision for income taxes

     7,068      907      (455 )(f)     7,520  
    

  

  


 


Income From Continuing Operations

   $ 9,858    $ 1,756    $ (949 )   $ 10,665  
    

  

  


 


Income From Continuing Operations Per Share of Common Stock (dollars)

                              

Basic

   $ 7.06    $ 4.60            $ 6.40  

Diluted

     6.94      4.56              6.29  
    

  

          


Average Common Shares Outstanding

    (in thousands)

                              

Basic

     1,396,180      381,683              1,666,945 (d)

Diluted

     1,419,898      385,002              1,694,435 (d)
    

  

          



* Certain amounts reclassified to conform to ConocoPhillips’ presentation.

 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

 

93


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET

 

     Millions of Dollars

At September 30, 2005


   ConocoPhillips

   BR*

   Pro Forma
Adjustments


    ConocoPhillips
and BR Pro
Forma
Combined


Assets

                            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,803    $ 2,816    $ (4,619 )(g)   $ 1,000

Accounts and notes receivable

     10,406      1,292      —         11,698

Inventories

     4,838      159      —         4,997

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,413      309      —         2,722

Assets of discontinued operations

     144      —        —         144
    

  

  


 

Total Current Assets

     20,604      4,576      (4,619 )     20,561

Investments and long-term receivables

     14,802      59      —         14,861

Net properties, plants and equipment

     52,482      11,950      17,354 (a)     81,786

Goodwill

     14,927      1,093      15,556 (a)     31,576

Intangibles

     1,043      —        —         1,043

Other assets

     514      152      —         666
    

  

  


 

Total Assets

   $ 104,372    $ 17,830    $ 28,291     $ 150,493
    

  

  


 

Liabilities

                            

Accounts payable

   $ 11,897    $ 1,223    $ —       $ 13,120

Notes payable and long-term debt due within one year

     1,125      2      —         1,127

Accrued income and other taxes

     4,176      303      —         4,479

Employee benefit obligations

     1,202      59      —         1,261

Other accruals

     2,894      529      —         3,423

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     104      —        —         104
    

  

  


 

Total Current Liabilities

     21,398      2,116      —         23,514

Long-term debt

     12,372      3,893      13,443 (g)     29,708

Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs

     3,752      510      —         4,262

Deferred income taxes

     10,934      2,861      6,401 (a)     20,196

Employee benefit obligations

     2,307      166      59 (c)     2,532

Other liabilities and deferred credits

     2,539      253      —         2,792
    

  

  


 

Total Liabilities

     53,302      9,799      19,903       83,004

Minority Interests

     1,232      —        —         1,232

Total Common Stockholders’ Equity

     49,838      8,031      8,388 (a)     66,257
    

  

  


 

Total

   $ 104,372    $ 17,830    $ 28,291     $ 150,493
    

  

  


 


* Certain amounts reclassified to conform to ConocoPhillips’ presentation.

 

See Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements.

 

94


Table of Contents

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(a) The following is a preliminary estimate of the deemed purchase price for BR on a purchase accounting basis:

 

     Millions of
Dollars


Cash

    375,332,950* BR shares times $46.50 per share

   $ 17,453

ConocoPhillips Stock

    375,332,950* BR shares times 0.7214 times $59.85 per share (weighted-average price of ConocoPhillips stock for a five-day period beginning two available trading days before the announcement)

     16,205

BR Stock Options

    Estimated fair value that will be exchanged for fully vested ConocoPhillips stock options at the date of close

     213

Transaction-Related Costs

    Estimated direct transaction fees payable by ConocoPhillips to be capitalized as part of the purchase price for BR

     35
    

     $ 33,906
    


* Shares outstanding at January 6, 2006.

 

For purposes of this pro forma analysis, the above deemed purchase price has been allocated based on a preliminary assessment of the fair value of the assets and liabilities of BR at September 30, 2005. The pro forma income statement adjustments reflect the estimated effects of depreciating and/or amortizing the purchase accounting adjusted balances in properties, plants and equipment and long-term debt. The preliminary assessment of fair value resulted in $16,649 million of goodwill, which will be subject to periodic impairment testing instead of amortization, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142—“Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

An independent appraisal firm has been engaged to assist us in finalizing the allocation of the purchase price. The preliminary assessment of the fair values of tangible and intangible assets used in these pro forma statements was based on projections of future net cash flows, discounted to present value. These and other preliminary estimates will change as additional information becomes available and is assessed by ConocoPhillips and the appraisal firm. Employee benefit obligations were valued at their current funded status. Long-term debt was valued at fair value based on the prices of BR’s publicly traded debt around September 30, 2005. All other BR assets and liabilities were valued at their historical book values, which we believe do not differ materially from their fair values.

 

Under the purchase method of accounting for business combinations, this preliminary assessment of fair value resulted in goodwill of $16,649 million. Included in this amount is $9,103 million that offsets net deferred tax liabilities arising from differences between the allocated financial bases and historical tax bases of BR’s net assets (due to the non-taxable nature of this transaction, BR’s tax basis in its assets would carry over to ConocoPhillips). Goodwill reflects the anticipated benefits of the merger that are in addition to the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities described above. These benefits would include, for example, expanded growth opportunities in North American natural gas exploration and development, cost savings from the elimination of duplicate activities, and the sharing of best practices in the operations of both companies. For further information, see “The Merger—ConocoPhillips’ Reasons for the Merger” beginning on page 33.