Exxon Mobil Corporation Announces Estimated Third Quarter 2008 Results

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM):

                                  Third Quarter       Nine Months
                                  --------------    ---------------
                                   2008    2007  %   2008    2007   %
                                  ------- ------ -- ------- ------- --
Net Income
---------------------------------
   $ Millions                      14,830  9,410 58  37,400  28,950 29
   $ Per Common Share
         Assuming Dilution           2.86   1.70 68    7.11    5.15 38

Special Items
---------------------------------
   $ Millions                       1,450      0      1,160       0

Earnings Excluding Special Items
---------------------------------
   $ Millions                      13,380  9,410 42  36,240  28,950 25
   $ Per Common Share
         Assuming Dilution           2.59   1.70 52    6.89    5.15 34

Capital and Exploration
Expenditures - $ Millions           6,853  5,441 26  19,314  14,702 31

EXXONMOBIL'S CHAIRMAN REX W. TILLERSON COMMENTED:

"ExxonMobil's strong results in the third quarter of 2008 demonstrate the continued success of our disciplined business approach. Third quarter earnings excluding special items were a record $13,380 million, up 42% from the third quarter of 2007. Earnings per share excluding special items were up 52% reflecting the benefit of the share purchase program. Record net income for the third quarter of $14,830 million was up 58% from the third quarter of 2007. Net income included an after-tax special gain of $1,620 million from the sale of a natural gas transportation business in Germany and an after-tax special charge of $170 million reflecting a provision for interest related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Earnings for the first nine months of 2008 excluding special items were $36,240 million, an increase of 25% over the first nine months of 2007. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 was $37,400 million, up 29% versus 2007.

"Third quarter results include impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike which affected U.S. Gulf Coast operations during the period. We responded quickly and effectively to maximize supplies of gasoline and other products to the marketplace. The majority of our operations are back on-line or are completing the final stages of start-up. At our Beaumont Chemical facilities, we continue to progress repairs and start-up planning after experiencing significant flooding during Hurricane Ike. Quarterly upstream volumes were down 24 thousand oil equivalent barrels per day and costs were higher by $50 million before tax due to the hurricanes. Damage repairs and lower volumes across all business lines associated with the hurricanes are expected to reduce fourth quarter earnings by about $500 million.

"Despite the continuing uncertainty in world financial markets, ExxonMobil has maintained a strong financial position. We plan to continue our disciplined capital investments with our full year capital and exploration expenditures projected to be about $25 billion, consistent with previous guidance. In the third quarter of 2008, capital and exploration project spending increased to $6.9 billion, up 26% from last year. For the first nine months of 2008, spending on capital and exploration projects was $19.3 billion. Through these investments we continue to make a substantial contribution to employment and economic activity in the countries in which we operate.

"The Corporation returned significant cash to shareholders, distributing a total of $10.1 billion in the third quarter through dividends of $2.1 billion and share purchases of $8.0 billion to reduce shares outstanding by 2%."

    THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

    --  Earnings excluding special items were a record
        $13,380 million, an increase of 42% or $3,970 million from the
        third quarter of 2007.

    --  Earnings per share excluding special items were up 52% to
        $2.59 reflecting strong earnings and the continued reduction
        in the number of shares outstanding.

    --  Net income was a record at $14,830 million, up 58% from the
        third quarter of 2007.

    --  Third quarter 2008 net income included an after-tax special
        gain of $1,620 million from the sale of a natural gas
        transportation business in Germany and an after-tax special
        charge of $170 million reflecting a provision for interest
        related to the Valdez punitive damages award.

    --  Capital and exploration expenditures were $6.9 billion, up 26%
        from the third quarter of 2007.

    --  Share purchases of $8.0 billion reduced shares outstanding by
        2.1%.

    --  Cash flow from operations and asset sales was approximately
        $17.0 billion, including asset sales of $2.6 billion.

    --  The ExxonMobil-operated Kizomba C deepwater development
        started production from the Saxi and Batuque fields. Combined
        with the Mondo field, which came on stream in January, the
        Kizomba C project is now producing 200,000 barrels of oil per
        day (gross). The Kizomba C development, located off the coast
        of Angola, is designed to produce an estimated 600 million
        barrels of oil (gross) over the life of these three fields.

    --  ExxonMobil announced the start-up of the East Area Natural Gas
        Liquids II project, located offshore Nigeria. The project
        started ahead of schedule and is expected to recover more than
        275 million barrels of natural gas liquids from several East
        Area fields, which will help monetize gas resources and reduce
        gas flaring. At its peak, the project is expected to produce
        50,000 barrels of natural gas liquids per day.

    Third Quarter 2008 vs. Third Quarter 2007

Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $9,351 million, up $3,052 million from the third quarter of 2007. Higher crude oil and natural gas realizations increased earnings approximately $4.4 billion. Lower sales volumes decreased earnings about $1.3 billion.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 8% from the third quarter of 2007. Excluding lower entitlement volumes (which include price and spend impacts and PSC net interest reductions) and impacts associated with the hurricanes, production was down about 5%. Higher maintenance activity and downtime reduced volumes by just under 3%.

Liquids production totaled 2,291 kbd (thousands of barrels per day), down 246 kbd from the third quarter of 2007. Excluding lower entitlement volumes and the impacts of the hurricanes, liquids production was down 5%, as increased production from projects in west Africa and the North Sea was more than offset by mature field decline and higher maintenance activity.

Third quarter natural gas production was 7,823 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day), down 460 mcfd from 2007. Higher European demand and new production volumes from project additions in the North Sea and Malaysia were more than offset by mature field decline, increased maintenance activity and entitlement effects.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations were $1,879 million, $683 million higher than the third quarter of 2007. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $7,472 million, up $2,369 million from last year.

Downstream earnings of $3,013 million were up $1,012 million from the third quarter of 2007. Higher margins increased earnings by $1.1 billion while favorable mix effects increased earnings by $200 million. Unfavorable foreign exchange effects were a partial offset. Petroleum product sales of 6,688 kbd were 413 kbd lower than last year's third quarter, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.

U.S. Downstream earnings were $978 million, up $64 million from the third quarter of 2007. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $2,035 million were $948 million higher than last year.

Chemical earnings of $1,087 million were $115 million lower than the third quarter of 2007. Lower volumes, which reduced earnings approximately $200 million, and lower margins were partly offset by favorable foreign exchange effects. Third quarter prime product sales of 6,060 kt (thousands of metric tons) were 669 kt lower than the prior year due to hurricane effects and lower demand.

Corporate and financing expenses of $71 million, excluding the charge for interest related to the Valdez litigation, decreased by $21 million.

During the third quarter of 2008, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 109 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $8.7 billion. These purchases included $8.0 billion to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to offset shares issued in conjunction with the company's benefit plans and programs. Shares outstanding were reduced from 5,194 million at the end of the second quarter to 5,087 million at the end of the third quarter. Purchases may be made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions, and may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

First Nine Months 2008 vs. First Nine Months 2007

Net income of $37,400 million ($7.11 per share) was a record and increased $8,450 million from 2007. Excluding special items, earnings for the first nine months of 2008 were $36,240 million, an increase of $7,290 million from 2007.

    FIRST NINE MONTHS HIGHLIGHTS

    --  Earnings excluding special items were a record
        $36,240 million, up 25%.

    --  Earnings per share excluding special items increased 34% to
        $6.89, reflecting strong business results and the continued
        reduction in the number of shares outstanding.

    --  Net income was up 29% from 2007. Net income for the first nine
        months of 2008 included an after-tax special gain of $1,620
        million from the sale of a natural gas transportation business
        in Germany and after-tax special charges of $460 million
        related to the Valdez punitive damages award. Net income for
        the first nine months of 2007 did not include any special
        items.

    --  The effective income tax rate increased to 48% versus 45%.

    --  Cash flow from operations and asset sales was approximately
        $53.4 billion, including $4.2 billion from asset sales.

    --  The Corporation distributed a total of $30.0 billion to
        shareholders in 2008 through dividends and share purchases to
        reduce shares outstanding, an increase of $3.3 billion versus
        2007.

    --  Year to date dividends per share of $1.15 increased 13%.

    --  Capital and exploration expenditures were $19.3 billion, an
        increase of 31% versus 2007.

Upstream earnings, excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were a record $28,148 million, up $9,855 million from 2007. Record high crude oil and natural gas realizations increased earnings approximately $14.8 billion. Lower sales volumes reduced earnings about $3.7 billion. Higher taxes and increased operating costs decreased earnings approximately $1.5 billion. Favorable foreign exchange effects provided a partial offset.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 7% from last year. Excluding impacts related to the Venezuela expropriation and lower entitlement volumes, production was down about 4%.

Liquids production of 2,383 kbd decreased 267 kbd from 2007. Excluding the Venezuela expropriation and lower entitlement volumes, liquids production was down about 5%, as field decline in mature areas more than offset project volume increases.

Natural gas production of 8,843 mcfd decreased 194 mcfd from 2007. Higher volumes from North Sea, Malaysia and Qatar projects and higher European demand were more than offset by mature field decline and planned maintenance activity.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations for 2008 were $5,544 million, an increase of $1,949 million. Earnings outside the U.S., excluding the gain related to the sale of the German natural gas transportation business, were $22,604 million, $7,906 million higher than 2007.

Downstream earnings of $5,737 million were $1,569 million lower than 2007. Lower worldwide refining margins decreased earnings approximately $1.9 billion while higher operating costs reduced earnings about $400 million. Improved refinery operations increased earnings about $800 million. Petroleum product sales of 6,761 kbd decreased from 7,090 kbd in 2007, mainly reflecting asset sales and lower demand.

U.S. Downstream earnings were $1,669 million, down $1,829 million. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings were $4,068 million, $260 million higher than last year.

Chemical earnings of $2,802 million decreased $649 million from 2007. Lower margins decreased earnings approximately $900 million, while lower volumes decreased earnings by about $200 million. Favorable foreign exchange and tax effects provided a partial offset. Prime product sales of 19,356 kt were down 1,075 kt from 2007.

Corporate and financing expenses of $447 million, excluding the charges related to the Valdez litigation, increased by $347 million, mainly due to lower interest rates and higher corporate costs.

Gross share purchases through the first nine months of 2008 were $26.9 billion, reducing shares outstanding by 5.5%.

Estimates of key financial and operating data follow.

ExxonMobil will discuss financial and operating results and other matters on a webcast at 10 a.m. Central time on October 30, 2008. To listen to the event live or in archive, go to our website at exxonmobil.com.

Statements in this release relating to future plans, projections, events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual results, including project plans, resource recoveries and production rates, capital expenditures, and the impact of hurricane damage on future earnings, could differ materially due to changes in long-term oil or gas prices or other market conditions affecting the oil and gas industry; completion of repair projects as planned; unforeseen technical difficulties; political events or disturbances; reservoir performance; the outcome of commercial negotiations; wars and acts of terrorism or sabotage; changes in technical or operating conditions; and other factors discussed under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Results" on our website and in Item 1A of ExxonMobil's 2007 Form 10-K. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date. References to quantities of oil expected to be developed may include amounts not yet classified as proved reserves but that we believe will ultimately be produced.

Consistent with previous practice, this press release includes both earnings excluding special items and earnings per share excluding special items. Both are non-GAAP financial measures and are included to help facilitate comparisons of base business performance across periods. A reconciliation to net income is shown in Attachment II. The release also includes cash flow from operations and asset sales. Because of the regular nature of our asset management and divestment program, we believe it is useful for investors to consider sales proceeds together with cash provided by operating activities when evaluating cash available for investment in the business and financing activities. A reconciliation to net cash provided by operating activities is shown in Attachment II. Further information on ExxonMobil's frequently used financial and operating measures and other terms is contained under the heading "Frequently Used Terms" available through the Investors section of our website at exxonmobil.com.

                                                          Attachment I


                        EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
                          THIRD QUARTER 2008
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (millions of dollars, unless noted)

                                        Third Quarter    Nine Months
                                       --------------- ---------------
                                        2008    2007    2008    2007
                                       ------- ------- ------- -------
 Earnings / Earnings Per Share

   Total revenues and other income     137,737 102,337 392,663 287,910
   Total costs and other deductions    111,580  85,577 324,108 237,158
   Income before income taxes           26,157  16,760  68,555  50,752
     Income taxes                       11,327   7,350  31,155  21,802
   Net income (U.S. GAAP)               14,830   9,410  37,400  28,950

   Net income per common share
    (dollars)                             2.89    1.72    7.19    5.21

   Net income per common share -
    assuming dilution (dollars)           2.86    1.70    7.11    5.15

 Other Financial Data

   Dividends on common stock
     Total                               2,063   1,932   6,040   5,718
     Per common share (dollars)           0.40    0.35    1.15    1.02

   Millions of common shares
    outstanding
     At September 30                                     5,087   5,464
     Average - assuming dilution         5,160   5,536   5,260   5,620

   Shareholders' equity at September
    30                                                 125,286 118,603
   Capital employed at September 30                    138,185 129,030

   Income taxes                         11,327   7,350  31,155  21,802
   Sales-based taxes                     9,327   7,970  27,297  23,064
   All other taxes                      11,856  10,953  35,760  32,026
     Total taxes                        32,510  26,273  94,212  76,892

   ExxonMobil's share of income taxes
    of equity companies                    870     537   2,763   1,627

                                                         Attachment II

                       EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
                          THIRD QUARTER 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (millions of dollars)
                                        Third Quarter    Nine Months
                                        -------------- ---------------
                                         2008   2007    2008    2007
                                        ------- ------ ------- -------
Net Income (U.S. GAAP)
Upstream
  United States                          1,879  1,196   5,544   3,595
  Non-U.S.                               9,092  5,103  24,224  14,698
Downstream
  United States                            978    914   1,669   3,498
  Non-U.S.                               2,035  1,087   4,068   3,808
Chemical
  United States                            257    296     643     846
  Non-U.S.                                 830    906   2,159   2,605
Corporate and financing                   (241)   (92)   (907)   (100)
Corporate total                         14,830  9,410  37,400  28,950
Special Items
Upstream
  United States                              0      0       0       0
  Non-U.S.                               1,620      0   1,620       0
Downstream
  United States                              0      0       0       0
  Non-U.S.                                   0      0       0       0
Chemical
  United States                              0      0       0       0
  Non-U.S.                                   0      0       0       0
Corporate and financing                   (170)     0    (460)      0
Corporate total                          1,450      0   1,160       0
Earnings Excluding Special Items
Upstream
  United States                          1,879  1,196   5,544   3,595
  Non-U.S.                               7,472  5,103  22,604  14,698
Downstream
  United States                            978    914   1,669   3,498
  Non-U.S.                               2,035  1,087   4,068   3,808
Chemical
  United States                            257    296     643     846
  Non-U.S.                                 830    906   2,159   2,605
Corporate and financing                    (71)   (92)   (447)   (100)
Corporate total                         13,380  9,410  36,240  28,950
                                        ------- ------ ------- -------
Cash flow from operations and asset
 sales (billions of dollars)
Net cash provided by operating
 activities (U.S. GAAP)                   14.4   15.1    49.2    40.7
Sales of subsidiaries, investments and
 property, plant and equipment             2.6    0.7     4.2     2.4
Cash flow from operations and asset
 sales                                    17.0   15.8    53.4    43.1
                                        ======= ====== ======= =======

                                                        Attachment III


                       EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
                          THIRD QUARTER 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                           Third Quarter  Nine Months
                                           ------------- -------------
                                            2008   2007   2008   2007
                                           ------ ------ ------ ------
Net production of crude oil and natural
 gas liquids, thousands of barrels daily
 (kbd)
    United States                             341    373    364    394
    Canada/South America                      283    321    287    331
    Europe                                    397    446    431    486
    Africa                                    639    686    637    734
    Asia Pacific/Middle East                  510    533    506    523
    Russia/Caspian                            121    178    158    182
        Worldwide                           2,291  2,537  2,383  2,650

Natural gas production available for sale,
 millions of cubic feet daily (mcfd)
    United States                           1,167  1,414  1,257  1,489
    Canada/South America                      633    799    649    840
    Europe                                  2,768  2,665  3,713  3,427
    Africa                                     33     25     32     25
    Asia Pacific/Middle East                3,135  3,270  3,086  3,148
    Russia/Caspian                             87    110    106    108
        Worldwide                           7,823  8,283  8,843  9,037

Oil-equivalent production (koebd) (1)       3,595  3,918  3,857  4,156



(1) Gas converted to oil-equivalent at 6 million cubic feet = 1
 thousand barrels

                                                         Attachment IV


                       EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
                          THIRD QUARTER 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       Third Quarter     Nine Months
                                     ----------------- ---------------
                                       2008     2007    2008    2007
                                     -------- -------- ------- -------
Refinery throughput (kbd)
    United States                       1,592    1,790   1,720   1,727
    Canada                                468      451     448     434
    Europe                              1,647    1,648   1,603   1,637
    Asia Pacific                        1,328    1,368   1,363   1,402
    Other                                 319      325     316     322
        Worldwide                       5,354    5,582   5,450   5,522

Petroleum product sales (kbd)
    United States                       2,437    2,709   2,523   2,711
    Canada                                452      470     439     457
    Europe                              1,736    1,783   1,721   1,788
    Asia Pacific                        1,338    1,429   1,356   1,401
    Other                                 725      710     722     733
        Worldwide                       6,688    7,101   6,761   7,090

    Gasolines, naphthas                 2,622    2,831   2,641   2,855
    Heating oils, kerosene, diesel      2,063    2,056   2,073   2,074
    Aviation fuels                        640      671     625     642
    Heavy fuels                           602      728     639     712
    Specialty products                    761      815     783     807
        Worldwide                       6,688    7,101   6,761   7,090

Chemical prime product sales,
 thousands of metric tons (kt)
    United States                       2,248    2,661   7,505   8,093
    Non-U.S.                            3,812    4,068  11,851  12,338
        Worldwide                       6,060    6,729  19,356  20,431

                                                          Attachment V


                       EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
                          THIRD QUARTER 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (millions of dollars)

                                         Third Quarter   Nine Months
                                        --------------- --------------
                                         2008    2007    2008   2007
                                        ------- ------- ------ -------
Capital and Exploration Expenditures
  Upstream
    United States                         1,000     568  2,334   1,531
    Non-U.S.                              4,277   3,283 12,295   9,655
    Total                                 5,277   3,851 14,629  11,186
  Downstream
    United States                           421     263  1,198     792
    Non-U.S.                                423     721  1,377   1,597
    Total                                   844     984  2,575   2,389
  Chemical
    United States                           123      96    345     242
    Non-U.S.                                598     505  1,739     854
    Total                                   721     601  2,084   1,096

  Other                                      11       5     26      31

  Worldwide                               6,853   5,441 19,314  14,702


Exploration expenses charged to income
 included above
  Consolidated affiliates
    United States                            45      75    144     201
    Non-U.S.                                353     271    924     758
  Equity companies - ExxonMobil share
    United States                             0       0      0       2
    Non-U.S.                                  6       5     13       8
  Worldwide                                 404     351  1,081     969

                                                         Attachment VI


                       EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
                              NET INCOME
----------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   $ Millions       $ Per Common Share
                             ---------------------- ------------------

2004
----------------------------
First Quarter                                 5,440               0.83
Second Quarter                                5,790               0.89
Third Quarter                                 5,680               0.88
Fourth Quarter                                8,420               1.31
        Year                                 25,330               3.91

2005
----------------------------
First Quarter                                 7,860               1.23
Second Quarter                                7,640               1.21
Third Quarter                                 9,920               1.60
Fourth Quarter                               10,710               1.72
        Year                                 36,130               5.76

2006
----------------------------
First Quarter                                 8,400               1.38
Second Quarter                               10,360               1.74
Third Quarter                                10,490               1.79
Fourth Quarter                               10,250               1.77
        Year                                 39,500               6.68

2007
----------------------------
First Quarter                                 9,280               1.64
Second Quarter                               10,260               1.85
Third Quarter                                 9,410               1.72
Fourth Quarter                               11,660               2.15
        Year                                 40,610               7.36

2008
----------------------------
First Quarter                                10,890               2.05
Second Quarter                               11,680               2.25
Third Quarter                                14,830               2.89

Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation