UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One) 
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 20112012

OR

[   ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from _____ to _____


Commission file number 1-5153

Marathon Oil Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware25-0996816
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5555 San Felipe Road,Street, Houston, TX  77056-2723
(Address of principal executive offices)

(713) 629-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes    üþ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes þ ü     No

o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer      ü   þ
Accelerated filer            o
Non-accelerated filero        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 
Smaller reporting company        o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).         
Yes o No  üþ
 
There were 703,721,720706,417,267 shares of Marathon Oil Corporation common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2011.2012.








MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Form 10-Q
Quarter Ended September 30, 20112012



 
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this Form 10-Q to “Marathon Oil,” “we,” “our,” or “us” are references to Marathon Oil Corporation, including its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and its ownership interests in equity method investees (corporate entities, partnerships, limited liability companies and other ventures over which Marathon Oil exerts significant influence by virtue of its ownership interest).  Any reference to “Marathon” indicates Marathon Oil Corporation as it existed prior to the June 30, 2011 spin-off of the downstream business.


1



Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements

MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
(In millions, except per share data)2012 2011 2012 2011
Revenues and other income:       
Sales and other operating revenues$4,018
 $3,633
 $11,513
 $10,969
Sales to related parties16
 16
 43
 45
Income from equity method investments122
 123
 260
 360
Net gain (loss) on disposal of assets(12) 13
 126
 63
Other income17
 14
 43
 36
Total revenues and other income4,161
 3,799
 11,985
 11,473
Costs and expenses: 
  
  
  
Cost of revenues (excludes items below)1,296
 1,600
 4,005
 4,671
Purchases from related parties72
 57
 191
 184
Depreciation, depletion and amortization625
 517
 1,779
 1,716
Impairments8
 
 271
 307
General and administrative expenses139
 104
 389
 371
Other taxes63
 59
 208
 170
Exploration expenses176
 129
 491
 504
Total costs and expenses2,379
 2,466
 7,334
 7,923
Income from operations1,782
 1,333
 4,651
 3,550
Net interest and other(53) (30) (160) (62)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 (279)
Income from continuing operations       
   before income taxes1,729
 1,303
 4,491
 3,209
Provision for income taxes1,279
 898
 3,231
 2,051
Income from continuing operations450
 405
 1,260
 1,158
Discontinued operations
 
 
 1,239
Net income$450
 $405
 $1,260
 $2,397
Per Share Data 
  
  
  
Basic: 
  
  
  
Income from continuing operations$0.64 $0.57 $1.79 $1.63
Discontinued operations
 
 
 $1.74
Net income$0.64 $0.57 $1.79 $3.37
Diluted: 
  
    
Income from continuing operations$0.63 $0.57 $1.78 $1.62
Discontinued operations
 
 
 $1.73
Net income$0.63 $0.57 $1.78 $3.35
Dividends paid$0.17 $0.15 $0.51 $0.65
Weighted average shares: 
  
  
  
Basic706
 711
 705
 712
Diluted709
 714
 709
 716
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2



MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
Net income$450
 $405
 $1,260
 $2,397
Other comprehensive income 
  
  
  
Postretirement and postemployment plans 
  
  
  
Change in actuarial loss and other(90) 13
 (80) 110
Spin-off downstream business
 
 
 968
Income tax benefit (provision) on postretirement and 
  
  
  
postemployment plans32
 6
 28
 (409)
Postretirement and postemployment plans, net of tax(58) 19
 (52) 669
Derivative hedges 
  
  
  
Net unrecognized gain (loss)1
 (1) 1
 9
Spin-off downstream business
 
 
 (7)
Income tax provision on derivatives
 
 
 (1)
Derivative hedges, net of tax1
 (1) 1
 1
Foreign currency translation and other 
  
  
  
Unrealized loss
 
 
 (1)
Income tax provision on foreign currency translation and other
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation and other, net of tax
 
 
 (1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(57) 18
 (51) 669
Comprehensive income$393
 $423
 $1,209
 $3,066
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


3



MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 September 30, December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)2012 2011
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$671
 $493
Receivables2,553
 1,917
Receivables from related parties22
 35
Inventories324
 361
Prepayments111
 96
Deferred tax assets87
 99
Other current assets269
 223
Total current assets4,037
 3,224
Equity method investments1,319
 1,383
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation, 
  
depletion and amortization of $18,438 and $17,24827,446
 25,324
Goodwill525
 536
Other noncurrent assets1,231
 904
Total assets$34,558
 $31,371
Liabilities 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
Commercial paper$1,839
 $
Accounts payable2,335
 1,864
Payables to related parties44
 18
Payroll and benefits payable148
 193
Accrued taxes2,027
 2,015
Other current liabilities206
 163
Long-term debt due within one year183
 141
Total current liabilities6,782
 4,394
Long-term debt4,518
 4,674
Deferred tax liabilities2,495
 2,544
Defined benefit postretirement plan obligations817
 789
Asset retirement obligations1,516
 1,510
Deferred credits and other liabilities366
 301
Total liabilities16,494
 14,212
Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders’ Equity 
  
Preferred stock – no shares issued and outstanding (no par value, 
  
26 million shares authorized)
 
Common stock: 
  
Issued – 770 million and 770 million shares  (par value $1 per share, 
  
1.1 billion shares authorized)770
 770
Securities exchangeable into common stock – no shares issued and 
  
outstanding (no par value, 29 million shares authorized)
 
Held in treasury, at cost – 64 million and 66 million shares(2,607) (2,716)
Additional paid-in capital6,634
 6,680
Retained earnings13,688
 12,788
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(421) (370)
Total equity of Marathon Oil's stockholders18,064
 17,152
Noncontrolling interest
 7
Total equity18,064
 17,159
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$34,558
 $31,371
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4



MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   
Operating activities: 
  
Net income$1,260
 $2,397
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Discontinued operations
 (1,239)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 279
Deferred income taxes(27) (75)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization1,779
 1,716
Impairments271
 307
Pension and other postretirement benefits, net(56) 28
Exploratory dry well costs and unproved property impairments287
 311
Net gain on disposal of assets(126) (63)
Equity method investments, net(14) 16
Changes in:   
Current receivables(646) 202
Inventories(6) 47
Current accounts payable and accrued liabilities156
 361
All other operating, net(66) 113
Net cash provided by continuing operations2,812
 4,400
Net cash provided by discontinued operations
 1,090
Net cash provided by operating activities2,812
 5,490
Investing activities: 
  
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(806) 
Additions to property, plant and equipment(3,509) (2,437)
Disposal of assets193
 385
Investments - return of capital42
 41
Investing activities of discontinued operations
 (493)
Property deposit
 (120)
All other investing, net49
 13
Net cash used in investing activities(4,031) (2,611)
Financing activities: 
  
Commercial paper, net1,839
 
Debt issuance costs(9) 
Debt repayments(111) (2,843)
Purchases of common stock
 (300)
Dividends paid(360) (462)
Financing activities of discontinued operations
 2,916
Distribution in spin-off
 (1,622)
All other financing, net26
 129
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities1,385
 (2,182)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash12
 (15)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents178
 682
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period493
 3,951
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$671
 $4,633
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(In millions, except per share data) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Revenues and other income:
            
             
   Sales and other operating revenues $3,633  $2,839  $10,969  $8,287 
   Sales to related parties  16   15   45   41 
   Income from equity method investments  123   77   360   245 
   Net gain on disposal of assets  13   -   63   822 
   Other income  14   24   36   52 
                 
             Total revenues and other income  3,799   2,955   11,473   9,447 
Costs and expenses:                
   Cost of revenues (excludes items below)  1,600   1,107   4,671   3,384 
   Purchases from related parties  57   57   184   132 
   Depreciation, depletion and amortization  517   530   1,716   1,376 
   Impairments  -   -   307   439 
   General and administrative expenses  104   108   371   328 
   Other taxes  59   44   170   145 
   Exploration expenses  129   59   504   282 
                 
            Total costs and expenses  2,466   1,905   7,923   6,086 
                 
Income from operations  1,333   1,050   3,550   3,361 
                 
   Net interest and other  (30)  (16)  (62)  (53)
   Loss on early extinguishment of debt  -   -   (279)  (92)
                 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  1,303   1,034   3,209   3,216 
                 
   Provision for income taxes  898   567   2,051   1,758 
                 
Income from continuing operations  405   467   1,158   1,458 
                 
   Discontinued operations  -   229   1,239   404 
                 
Net income $405  $696  $2,397  $1,862 
                 
Per Share Data                
                 
   Basic:                
                 
       Income from continuing operations $0.57  $0.66  $1.63  $2.06 
       Discontinued operations $-  $0.32  $1.74  $0.57 
       Net income per share $0.57  $0.98  $3.37  $2.63 
                 
   Diluted:                
                 
       Income from continuing operations $0.57  $0.66  $1.62  $2.05 
       Discontinued operations $-  $0.32  $1.73  $0.57 
       Net income per share $0.57  $0.98  $3.35  $2.62 
                 
   Dividends paid $0.15  $0.25  $0.65  $0.74 
                 
   Weighted average shares:                
       Basic  711   710   712   709 
       Diluted  714   712   716   711 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

  
Three Months Ended
  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Net income $405  $696  $2,397  $1,862 
    Other comprehensive income                
                 
         Post-retirement and post-employment plans                
            Change in actuarial gain (loss)  13   (24)  110   134 
            Spin-off downstream business  -   -   968   - 
            Income tax benefit  (provision) on post-retirement and                
               post-employment plans  6   10   (409)  (73)
                  Post-retirement and post-employment plans, net of tax  19   (14)  669   61 
                 
         Derivative hedges                
            Net unrecognized gain (loss)  (1)  1   9   5 
            Spin-off downstream business  -   -   (7)  - 
            Income tax benefit (provision) on derivatives  -   0   (1)  - 
                  Derivative hedges, net of tax  (1)  1   1   5 
                 
         Foreign currency translation and other                
            Unrealized gain (loss)  -   (1)  (1)  (1)
            Income tax provision on foreign currency translation and other  -   1   -   1 
                  Foreign currency translation and other, net of tax  -   -   (1)  - 
                 
Other comprehensive income  18   (13)  669   66 
                 
Comprehensive income $423  $683  $3,066  $1,928 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

    December 31, 
(In millions, except per share data) 2011  2010 
Assets      
Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $4,633  $3,951 
    Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2 and $7  1,696   5,972 
    Receivables from related parties  25   58 
    Inventories  342   3,453 
    Other current assets  458   395 
         
            Total current assets  7,154   13,829 
         
Equity method investments  1,431   1,802 
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation,        
   depletion and amortization of $16,731 and $19,805  20,318   32,222 
Goodwill  537   1,380 
Other noncurrent assets  1,101   781 
         
            Total assets $30,541  $50,014 
Liabilities        
Current liabilities:        
    Accounts payable $1,548  $8,000 
    Payables to related parties  14   49 
    Payroll and benefits payable  129   418 
    Accrued taxes  1,904   1,447 
    Deferred income taxes  -   324 
    Other current liabilities  192   580 
    Long-term debt due within one year  338   295 
         
            Total current liabilities  4,125   11,113 
         
Long-term debt  4,705   7,601 
Deferred income taxes  2,676   3,569 
Defined benefit postretirement plan obligations  667   2,171 
Asset retirement obligations  1,337   1,354 
Deferred credits and other liabilities  275   435 
         
            Total liabilities  13,785   26,243 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
Stockholders’ Equity        
Preferred stock – no shares issued and outstanding (no par value, 26 million shares        
          authorized)  -   - 
Common stock:        
     Issued –  770 million and  770 million shares  (par value $1 per share,        
          1.1 billion shares authorized)  770   770 
     Securities exchangeable into common stock – no shares issued and outstanding        
         (no par value, 29 million shares authorized)  -   - 
     Held in treasury, at cost – 66 million and 60 million shares  (2,721)  (2,665)
Additional paid-in capital  6,675   6,756 
Retained earnings  12,352   19,907 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (328)  (997)
Noncontrolling interest  8   - 
            Total stockholders' equity  16,756   23,771 
         
            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $30,541  $50,014 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents      
Operating activities:      
Net income $2,397  $1,862 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt  279   92 
    Discontinued operations  (1,239)  (404)
    Deferred income taxes  (75)  (411)
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization  1,716   1,376 
    Impairments  307   439 
    Pension and other postretirement benefits, net  28   (39)
    Exploratory dry well costs and unproved property impairments  311   122 
    Net gain on disposal of assets  (63)  (822)
    Equity method investments, net  16   34 
    Changes in:        
          Current receivables  202   (124)
          Inventories  47   (35)
          Current accounts payable and accrued liabilities  361   924 
    All other operating, net  113   85 
               Net cash provided by continuing operations  4,400   3,099 
               Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations  1,090   (111)
               Net cash provided by operating activities  5,490   2,988 
Investing activities:        
   Additions to property, plant and equipment  (2,437)  (2,703)
   Disposal of assets  385   1,354 
   Investments - repayments of loans and return of capital  41   35 
   Investing activities of discontinued operations  (493)  (920)
   Property deposit  (120)  - 
   All other investing, net  13   (22)
               Net cash used in investing activities  (2,611)  (2,256)
Financing activities:        
   Debt repayments  (2,843)  (620)
   Purchases of common stock  (300)  - 
   Dividends paid  (462)  (526)
   Financing activities of discontinued operations  2,916   (8)
   Distribution in Spin-off  (1,622)  - 
   All other financing, net  129   8 
               Net cash used in financing activities  (2,182)  (1,146)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (15)  - 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  682   (414)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  3,951   2,057 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $4,633  $1,643 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

(In millions) Preferred Stock  Common Stock  Securities Exchangeable for Common Stock  Treasury Stock  Additional Paid-in Capital  Retained Earnings  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)  Non-controlling Interest  Total Stockholders' Equity 
December 31, 2010 Balance $-  $770  $-  $(2,665) $6,756  $19,907  $(997) $-  $23,771 
 Shares issued - stock                                    
     based compensation  -   -   -   251   (84)  -   -       167 
   Shares repurchased  -   -   -   (307)  -   -   -       (307)
   Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   (2)  -   -       (2)
   Net income  -   -   -   -   -   2,397   -       2,397 
   Other comprehensive income  -   -   -   -   -   -   82       82 
   Dividends paid  -   -   -   -   -   (462)  -       (462)
   Purchase of subsidiary shares                                    
      from noncontrolling interest  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   8   8 
   Spin-off of downstream                                    
      business  -   -   -   -   5   (9,490)  587       (8,898)
September 30, 2011 Balance $-  $770  $-  $(2,721) $6,675  $12,352  $(328) $8  $16,756 
(Shares in millions) Preferred Stock  Common Stock  Securities Exchangeable for Common Stock  Treasury Stock                     
December 31, 2010 Balance  -   770   -   (60)                    
 Shares issued - stock                                    
     based compensation  -   -   -   6                     
   Shares repurchased  -   -   -   (12)                    
September 30, 2011 Balance  -   770   -   (66)                    
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)



1.      Basis of Presentation
 
These consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, these statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise.  These consolidated financial statements, including notes, have been prepared in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.
 
As a result of the spin-off (see Note 2), the results of operations for our downstream (Refining, Marketing and Transportation) business have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.in 2011.  The disclosures in this report are presented on the basis of continuing operations, unless otherwise stated. Any reference to “Marathon” indicates Marathon Oil Corporation as it existed prior to the June 30, 2011 spin-off.
 
These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Marathon Oil Corporation 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months ended September 30, 2011of 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

2.      Spin-off Downstream Business
 
On June 30, 2011, the spin-off of the downstream (Refining, Marketing and Transportation) business was completed, creating two independent energy companies: Marathon Oil Corporation (“Marathon Oil”) and Marathon Petroleum Corporation (“MPC”).  On June 30, 2011, stockholders of record as of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings time on June 27, 2011 (the “Record Date”) received one common share of MPC stock for every two common shares of Marathon stock held as of the Record Date.
 In order to affect the spin-off and govern our relationship with MPC after the spin-off, we entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, a Tax Sharing Agreement, an Employee Matters Agreement and a Transition Services Agreement.  The Separation and Distribution Agreement governed the separation of the downstream business, the distribution of MPC’s shares of common stock to our stockholders, transfer of assets and intellectual property, and other matters related to our relationship with MPC.  The Separation and Distribution Agreement provides for cross-indemnities between Marathon Oil and MPC.  In general, we have agreed to indemnify MPC for any liabilities relating to our historical oil and gas exploration and production operations, oil sands mining operations and integrated gas operations, and MPC has agreed to indemnify us for any liabilities relating to the historical downstream operations.
The Tax Sharing Agreement governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Marathon Oil and MPC with respect to taxes and tax benefits, the filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax matters.  In addition, the Tax Sharing Agreement reflects each company’s rights and obligations related to taxes that are attributable to periods prior to and including the Separation date and taxes resulting from transactions effected in connection with the Separation. In general, under the Tax Sharing Agreement, Marathon Oil is responsible for all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income taxes attributable to Marathon Oil or any of its subsidiaries for any tax period that begins after the date of the spin-off, and MPC is responsible for all taxes attributable to it or its subsidiaries, whether accruing before, on or after the spin-off.  The Tax Sharing Agreement contains covenants intended to protect the tax-free status of the spin-off.  These covenants may restrict the ability of Marathon Oil and MPC to pursue strategic or other transactions that otherwise could maximize the values of their respective businesses and may discourage or delay a change of control of either company.
The Employee Matters Agreement contains provisions concerning benefit protection for employees who become MPC employees prior to December 31, 2011, treatment of holders of Marathon stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, and cooperation between Marathon Oil and MPC in the sharing of employee information and maintenance of confidentiality.  Unvested equity-based compensation awards were converted to awards of the entity where the employee holding them is working post-separation.  For vested equity-based compensation awards, employees received both Marathon Oil and MPC awards.
Under the Transition Services Agreement, Marathon Oil and MPC are providing and/or making available various administrative services and assets to each other, for up to a one-year period beginning on the distribution date of the spin-off.  The services include: administrative services; accounting services; audit services; health, environmental and safety services; human resource services; information technology services; legal services; natural gas administration services; tax services; and treasury services.  In consideration for such services, the companies are paying fees to the other for the services provided, and these fees are generally in amounts intended to allow the party providing services to recover all of its direct and indirect costs incurred in providing these services.

7
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following table presents the carrying value of assets and liabilities of MPC, immediately preceding the spin-off, which is excluded from the Marathon Oil consolidated balance sheet as a result of the spin-off on June 30, 2011.
(In millions)   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents $1,622 
Receivables  5,041 
Inventories  3,679 
Other current assets  170 
Total current assets of discontinued operations  10,512 
Equity method investments  323 
Property, plant and equipment  11,935 
Goodwill  847 
Other noncurrent assets  351 
Total assets of discontinued operations $23,968 
     
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable $7,329 
Payroll and benefits payable  222 
Accrued and deferred taxes  443 
Other current liabilities  461 
Long-term debt due within one year  12 
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations  8,467 
Long-term debt  3,262 
Deferred income taxes  1,576 
Defined benefit postretirement plan obligations  1,489 
Deferred credits and other liabilities  276 
Total liabilities of discontinued operations $15,070 
The following table presents selected financial information regarding the results of operations of our downstream business which are reported as discontinued operations.  Transaction costs incurred to affect the spin-off of $74$74 million are included in discontinued operations for 2011.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30,  September 30, September 30, September 30,
(In millions)2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2011
Revenues applicable to discontinued operations $-  $15,897  $38,602  $45,054 $
 $38,602
Pretax income from discontinued operations  -   445   2,012   693 
 2,012

3.     Accounting Standards
Not YetRecently Adopted
In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended accounting standards to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment.  The amendments reduceamendment reduces complexity by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation of whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.  The amendment is effective for our interim and annual periods beginning with the first quarter of 2012.  Early adoption is permitted, but we were unable to do so because our 2011 annual goodwill impairment testing was completed prior to the issuance of the amendment.  Adoption of this amendment willdid not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
The FASB amended the reporting standards for comprehensive income in June 2011 to eliminate the option to present the components of other comprehensive incomeOther Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  All non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity are required to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In the two statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income,OCI, and the total of comprehensive income.  The presentation of items that are reclassified from other comprehensive incomeOCI to net income on the income statement is also required.  The amendments did not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive incomeOCI or when an item of other comprehensive incomeOCI must be reclassified to net income.  The

8
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

amendments are effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2012.  We are still evaluating this reporting standard, but we do2012, except for the presentation of reclassifications, which has been deferred.  Adoption of these amendments did not expect adoption of this amendment to have ana significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In May 2011, the FASB issued an update amending the accounting standards for fair value measurement and disclosure, resulting in common principles and requirements under U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principlesin the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The amendments change the wording used to describe certain of the U.S.

6


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


GAAP requirements either to clarify the intent of existing requirements, to change measurement or expand disclosure principles or to conform to the wording used in IFRS.  The amendments are to be applied prospectively and will be effective for our interim and annual periods beginning with the first quarter of 2012.  Early application is not permitted.  We do not expectThe adoption of thesethe amendments todid not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.  To the extent they were necessary, we have made the expanded disclosures in Note 13.
4.     Variable Interest EntitiesEntity
The owners of the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (“AOSP”), in which we hold a 20 percent undivided interest, contracted with a wholly-owned subsidiary of a publicly traded Canadian limited partnership (“Corridor Pipeline”) to provide materials transportation capabilities among the Muskeg River and Jackpine mines, the Scotford upgrader and markets in Edmonton.  The contract, originally signed in 1999 by a company we acquired, allows each holder of an undivided interest in the AOSP to ship materials in accordance with its undivided interest.  Costs under this contract are accrued and recorded on a monthly basis, with a $3$3 million current liability recorded at September 30, 2012, consistent with December 31, 2011.  Under this agreement, the AOSP absorbs all of the operating and capital costs of the pipeline.  Currently, no third-party shippers use the pipeline.  Should shipments be suspended, by choice or due to force majeure, we remain responsible for the portion of the payments related to our undivided interest for all remaining periods.  The contract expires in 2029; however, the shippers can extend its term perpetually.  This contract qualifies as a variable interest contractual arrangement and the Corridor Pipeline qualifies as a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”).  We hold a variable interest but are not the primary beneficiary because our shipments are only 20 percent of the total; therefore, the Corridor Pipeline is not consolidated by Marathon Oil.  Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with this VIE is the amount we expect to pay over the contract term, which was $696$697 million as of September 30, 2011.2012.  The liability on our books related to this contract at any given time will reflect amounts due for the immediately previous month’s activity, which is substantially less than the maximum exposure over the contract term.  We have not provided financial assistance to Corridor Pipeline and we do not have any guarantees of such assistance in the future.

5.    Income per Common Share
Basic income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted income per share includes exercise of stock options and stock appreciation rights, provided the effect is not antidilutive.
  Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010 
(In millions, except per share data) Basic  Diluted  Basic  Diluted 
        
Income from continuing operations $405  $405  $467  $467 
Discontinued operations  -   -   229   229 
Net income $405  $405  $696  $696 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding  711   711   710   710 
Effect of dilutive securities  -   3   -   2 
Weighted average common shares, including                
     dilutive effect  711   714   710   712 
                 
Per share:                
    Income from continuing operations $0.57  $0.57  $0.66  $0.66 
    Discontinued operations $-  $-  $0.32  $0.32 
    Net income $0.57  $0.57  $0.98  $0.98 
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2012 2011
(In millions, except per share data)Basic Diluted Basic Diluted
Net income$450
 $450
 $405
 $405
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding706
 706
 711
 711
Effect of dilutive securities
 3
 
 3
Weighted average common shares, including       
dilutive effect706
 709
 711
 714
Per share: 
  
  
  
Net income$0.64 $0.63 $0.57 $0.57

7

9
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


 Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2011  2010 2012 2011
(In millions, except per share data) Basic  Diluted  Basic  Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted
       
Income from continuing operations $1,158  $1,158  $1,458  $1,458 $1,260
 $1,260
 $1,158
 $1,158
Discontinued operations  1,239   1,239   404   404 
 
 1,239
 1,239
Net income $2,397  $2,397  $1,862  $1,862 $1,260
 $1,260
 $2,397
 $2,397
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding  712   712   709   709 705
 705
 712
 712
Effect of dilutive securities  -   4   -   2 
 4
 
 4
Weighted average common shares, including                       
dilutive effect  712   716   709   711 705
 709
 712
 716
                
Per share:                 
  
  
  
Income from continuing operations $1.63  $1.62  $2.06  $2.05 $1.79 $1.78 $1.63 $1.62
Discontinued operations $1.74  $1.73  $0.57  $0.57 
 
 $1.74 $1.73
Net income $3.37  $3.35  $2.63  $2.62 $1.79 $1.78 $3.37 $3.35
The per share calculations above exclude 910 million and 7 million stock options and stock appreciation rights for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, as they were antidilutive.  Excluded for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 were 9 million and 7 million stock options and stock appreciation rights.
6.     Acquisitions
We acquired approximately 20,000 net acres in the core of the Eagle Ford shale during the first nine months of 2011,2012. All Eagle Ford properties are included in our Exploration and Production (“E&P”) segment.  The largest transaction was the acquisition of Paloma Partners II, LLC, which closed August 1, 2012 for cash consideration of $768 million. This transaction was accounted for as theya business combination. Smaller transactions closed during the second quarter of 2012. 
The following table summarizes the amounts allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values at the acquisition date:
(In millions)  
Assets:  
Cash $8
Receivables 22
Inventories 1
Total current assets acquired 31
Property, plant and equipment 822
Total assets acquired 853
Liabilities:  
Accounts payable 78
Asset retirement obligations 7
Total liabilities assumed 85
Net assets acquired $768
The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were antidilutive.  Excludedmeasured primarily using an income approach, specifically utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis. The estimated fair values were based on significant inputs not observable in the market, and therefore represent Level 3 measurements. Significant inputs included estimated reserve volumes, the expected future production profile, estimated commodity prices and assumptions regarding future operating and development costs. A discount rate of approximately 10 percent was used in the discounted cash flow analysis. The accounting for this transaction is complete. The pro forma impact of this business combination is not material to our consolidated statements of income for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2010 were 12 million stock options2012 and stock appreciation rights.2011.

8


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
6.      AcquisitionsNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


7.   Dispositions
During2012
In the first nine monthsthird quarter of 2011,2012, we acquiredsold approximately 45,0005,800 net undeveloped acres inlocated outside the core of the Eagle Ford shale, formation in south Texasheld by our E&P segment, for approximately $202 million.  Thisproceeds of $9 million. A pretax loss of $18 million was funded from existing cashrecorded.
In May 2012, we executed agreements to relinquish our E&P segment’s operatorship of and was accounted for as an asset acquisition.
Earlyparticipating interests in the fourthBone Bay and Kumawa exploration licenses in Indonesia.  As a result, we accrued and reported a $36 million loss on disposal of assets in the second quarter of 2012.  Government ratification of the agreements was received during the third quarter of 2012, which released us from our obligations and further commitments related to these licenses, and we paid the amount accrued. 
 In April 2012, we entered into agreements to sell all of our E&P segment’s assets in Alaska.  One transaction closed in the second quarter of 2012 with proceeds and a net pretax gain of $7 million.  The remaining transaction, with a value of $375 million before closing adjustments, is currently under review by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Alaska Attorney General's office, which could impact the closing of this transaction. Assets held for sale are included in the September 30, 2012 balance sheet as follows:
(In millions) 
Other current assets$59
Other noncurrent assets190
Total assets249
Other current liabilities1
Deferred credits and other liabilities90
Total liabilities$91
In January 2012, we closed on the following transactionssale of our E&P segment’s interests in Eagle Ford: the previously announced 141,000 net acres from Hilcorp Resources Holdings, LP (“Hilcorp”); additionalseveral Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems for proceeds of $206 million.  This includes our equity method interests of approximately 19,000 acres net acres;in Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and a gas gathering system.  Also, during the fourth quarter, we expect to close on an additional 6,800 net acres in Eagle Ford from tag-along rights.  The total acquisition cost for these nearly 167,000 net acres and the gathering system is expected to be approximately $4.5 billion, including projected closing adjustments and future carrying costs.  These transactions will be funded largely from existing cash.  The acreage includes proved and unproved oil and gas assets,Odyssey Pipeline L.L.C., as well as some producing wells.  We arecertain other oil pipeline interests, including the Eugene Island pipeline system.  A pretax gain of $166 million was recorded in the processfirst quarter of evaluating the acquisitions to determine whether they will be accounted for as business combinations or as asset acquisitions.2012.
2011
 7.      Dispositions
During the third quarter ofIn September 2011, we sold our Integrated Gas segment’ssegment's equity interest in a liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) processing facility in Alaska. A gain on the transaction of $8$8 million was recorded in the third quarter.
quarter of 2011.
In April 2011, we assigned a 30 percent undivided working interest in our Exploration and Production (“E&P”)&P segment’s approximately 180,000 acres in the Niobrara shale play located within the DJ Basin of southeast Wyoming and northern Colorado for total consideration of $270$270 million, recording a pretax gain of $37$39 million.  We remain operator of this jointly owned leasehold.
Also in April 2011, we farmed-out a 40 percent working interest in 10 concessions in our E&P segment’s Poland’s Paleozoic Shale play.  In late July 2011, we sold an additional 9 percent working interest. A $12 million pretax gain was recorded.  We currently hold a 51 percent working interest in these 10 concessions and serve as operator.
In March 2011, we closed the sale of our E&P segment's outside-operated interests in the Gudrun field development and the Brynhild and Eirin exploration areas offshore Norway for net proceeds of $85$85 million, excluding working capital adjustments.  A $64$64 million pretax loss on this disposition was recorded in the fourth quarter 2010.
During the first quarter 2010, we closed the sale of a 20 percent outside-operated interest in our E&P segment’s Production Sharing Contract and Joint Operating Agreement in Block 32 offshore Angola.  We received net proceeds of $1.3 billion and recorded a pretax gain on the sale in the amount of $811 million.  We retained a 10 percent outside-operated interest in Block 32.2010.
Pending disposition
In October 2011, we entered into definitive agreements to sell our E&P segment’s equity interests in several Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems including our 28 percent interest in Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, L.L.C., our 29 percent interest in Odyssey Pipeline L.L.C., our 23 percent interest in the Eugene Island Pipeline System, and certain other oil pipeline interests. The value of this transaction, subject to further closing adjustments, is approximately $206
10
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

million, net of debt.  In addition, the Poseidon and Odyssey interests are subject to wavier of rights of first refusal.  The carrying value of these assets was $45 million as of September 30, 2011.  We expect to close the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2011.

8.    Segment Information
 
We have three reportable operating segments.  Each of these segments is organized and managed based upon the nature of the products and services they offer.
 Exploration and Production (“E&P”) – explores for, produces and markets liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas on a worldwide basis;
Oil Sands Mining (“OSM”) – mines, extracts and transports bitumen from oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada, and upgrades the bitumen to produce and market synthetic crude oil and vacuum gas oil; and
1)Exploration and Production (“E&P”) – explores for, produces and markets liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas on a worldwide basis;
Integrated Gas (“IG”) – produces and markets products manufactured from natural gas, such as LNG and methanol, in Equatorial Guinea.
2)Oil Sands Mining (“OSM”) – mines, extracts and transports bitumen from oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada, and upgrades the bitumen to produce and market synthetic crude oil and vacuum gas oil; and
3)Integrated Gas (“IG”) – markets and transports products manufactured from natural gas, such as liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and methanol, on a worldwide basis.
Information regarding assets by segment is not presented because it is not reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”).  Segment income represents income from continuing operations, net of income taxes, attributable to the operating segments. Our corporate general and administrative costs are not allocated to the operating segments. These costs primarily consist

9


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


of employment costs (including pension effects), professional services, facilities and other costs associated with corporate activities, net of associated income tax effects.  Foreign currency remeasurement and transactionImpairments, gains or losses on disposal of assets or other items that affect comparability (as determined by the CODM) also are not allocated to operating segments.
Differences between segment totals and our consolidated totals for income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization and income from equity method investments and our consolidated totals represent amounts related to corporate administrative activities and other unallocated items which are included in “Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes” in the reconciliation below. CapitalTotal capital expenditures include accruals.
accruals but not corporate activities.
As discussed in Notes 1 andNote 2, our downstream business was spun-off on June 30, 2011 and has been reported as discontinued operations in all periods presented.2011.
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
(In millions) E&P  OSM  IG  Total E&P OSM IG Total
            
Revenues:             
  
  
  
Customer $3,190  $427  $16  $3,633 $3,503
 $470
 $
 $3,973
Intersegment  6   -   -   6 
Related parties  16   -   -   16 16
 
 
 16
Segment revenues  3,212   427   16   3,655 $3,519
 $470
 $
 3,989
Elimination of intersegment revenues  (6)  -   -   (6)
Unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments      45
Total revenues $3,206  $427  $16  $3,649       $4,034
Segment income $330  $92  $55  $477 $486
 $65
 $39
 $590
Income from equity method investments  63   -   60   123 74
 
 48
 122
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  454   55   -   509 556
 60
 
 616
Income tax provision  890   31   19   940 1,252
 20
 9
 1,281
Capital expenditures  684   36   1   721 1,274
 41
 1
 1,316
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
(In millions)E&P OSM IG Total
Revenues: 
  
  
  
Customer$3,190
 $427
 $16
 $3,633
Intersegment6
 
 
 6
Related parties16
 
 
 16
Segment revenues$3,212
 $427
 $16
 3,655
Elimination of intersegment revenues  

 

 (6)
Total revenues

 

 

 $3,649
Segment income$330
 $92
 $55
 $477
Income from equity method investments63
 
 60
 123
Depreciation, depletion and amortization454
 55
 
 509
Income tax provision890
 31
 19
 940
Capital expenditures684
 36
 1
 721

10

11
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 
(In millions) E&P  OSM  IG  Total 
             
Revenues:            
    Customer $2,605  $196  $38  $2,839 
    Intersegment  20   -   -   20 
    Related parties  15   -   -   15 
        Segment revenues  2,640   196   38   2,874 
    Elimination of intersegment revenues  (20)  -   -   (20)
        Total revenues $2,620  $196  $38  $2,854 
Segment income $510  $18  $41  $569 
Income from equity method investments  51   -   51   102 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  491   28   1   520 
Income tax provision  579   2   21   602 
Capital expenditures  586   191   1   778 

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 
(In millions) E&P  OSM  IG  Total 
             
Revenues:            
    Customer $9,696  $1,180  $93  $10,969 
    Intersegment  47   -   -   47 
    Related parties  45   -   -   45 
        Segment revenues  9,788   1,180   93   11,061 
    Elimination of intersegment revenues  (47)  -   -   (47)
        Total revenues $9,741  $1,180  $93  $11,014 
Segment income $1,599  $193  $158  $1,950 
Income from equity method investments  187   -   173   360 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  1,541   141   3   1,685 
Income tax provision  2,101   64   62   2,227 
Capital expenditures  2,101   236   2   2,339 

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 
(In millions) E&P  OSM  IG  Total 
             
Revenues:            
    Customer $7,622  $567  $98  $8,287 
    Intersegment  49   -   -   49 
    Related parties  41   -   -   41 
        Segment revenues  7,712   567   98   8,377 
    Elimination of intersegment revenues  (49)  -   -   (49)
        Total revenues $7,663  $567  $98  $8,328 
Segment income (loss) $1,444  $(59) $109  $1,494 
Income from equity method investments  128   -   142   270 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  1,279   67   3   1,349 
Income tax provision (benefit)  1,741   (15)  56   1,782 
Capital expenditures  1,774   699   2   2,475 

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(In millions)E&P OSM IG Total
Revenues: 
  
  
  
Customer$10,284
 $1,184
 $
 $11,468
Related parties43
 
 
 43
Segment revenues$10,327
 $1,184
 $
 11,511
Unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments      45
Total revenues

 

 

 $11,556
Segment income$1,380
 $157
 $56
 $1,593
Income from equity method investments176
 
 84
 260
Depreciation, depletion and amortization1,593
 159
 
 1,752
Income tax provision3,398
 51
 15
 3,464
Capital expenditures3,459
 136
 2
 3,597
12
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(In millions)E&P OSM IG Total
Revenues: 
  
  
  
Customer$9,696
 $1,180
 $93
 $10,969
Intersegment47
 
 
 47
Related parties45
 
 
 45
Segment revenues$9,788
 $1,180
 $93
 11,061
Elimination of intersegment revenues  

 

 (47)
Total revenues      $11,014
Segment income$1,599
 $193
 $158
 $1,950
Income from equity method investments187
 
 173
 360
Depreciation, depletion and amortization1,541
 141
 3
 1,685
Income tax provision2,101
 64
 62
 2,227
Capital expenditures2,101
 236
 2
 2,339
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following reconciles segment income to net income as reported in the consolidated statements of income:
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Segment income $477  $569  $1,950  $1,494 
Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes:                
     Corporate and other unallocated items  (79)  (50)  (215)  (130)
     Foreign currency remeasurement of income taxes  23   (37)  6   33 
     Impairments(a)
  -   (15)  (195)  (286)
     Loss on early extinguishment of debt(b)
  -   -   (176)  (57)
     Tax effect of subsidiary restructuring(c)
  -   -   (122)  - 
     Deferred income tax items(c)
  (15)  -   (65)  (45)
     Water abatement - Oil Sands(d)
  -   -   (48)  - 
     Gain on dispositions (e)
  (1)  -   23   449 
         Income from continuing operations  405   467   1,158   1,458 
         Discontinued operations  -   229   1,239   404 
               Net income $405  $696  $2,397  $1,862 
(a)
Impairments are discussed in Note 13.
(b)Additional information on debt retired early can be found in Note 15.
(c)Changes in deferred taxes and the non cash tax restructuring are discussed in Note 10.
(d)Oil sands water abatement costs are discussed in Note 19.
 (e)Additional information on these gains can be found in Note 7.

The following reconciles total revenues to sales and other operating revenues as reported in the consolidated statements of income:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
(In millions)2011  2010 2011 2010 2012 2011 2012 2011
Total revenues $3,649  $2,854  $11,014  $8,328 $4,034
 $3,649
 $11,556
 $11,014
Less: Sales to related parties  16   15   45   41 16
 16
 43
 45
Sales and other operating revenues $3,633  $2,839  $10,969  $8,287 $4,018
 $3,633
 $11,513
 $10,969

9.      Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans
The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost related to continuing operations:
  Three Months Ended September 30, 
   Pension Benefits  Other Benefits 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Service cost $12  $12  $1  $- 
Interest cost  17   17   4   4 
Expected return on plan assets  (16)  (16)  -   - 
Amortization:                
    – prior service cost (credit)  1   2   (2)  (2)
    – actuarial loss  12   12   -   - 
    – net settlement  -   8   -   - 
Net periodic benefit cost $26  $35  $3  $2 

11


13
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The following reconciles segment income to net income as reported in the consolidated statements of income:
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   Pension Benefits  Other Benefits 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Service cost $35  $35  $3  $2 
Interest cost  50   52   12   12 
Expected return on plan assets  (49)  (48)  -   - 
Amortization:                
    – prior service cost (credit)  4   5   (5)  (5)
    – actuarial loss  37   37   -   - 
    – net settlement/curtailment loss  -   8   -   - 
Net periodic benefit cost $77  $89  $10  $9 
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
Segment income$590
 $477
 $1,593
 $1,950
Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes: 
  
  
  
Corporate and other unallocated items(158) (56) (267) (209)
Unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments29
 
 29
 
     Gain (loss) on dispositions(11) (1) 72
 23
     Impairments
 
 (167) (195)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 (176)
     Tax effect of subsidiary restructuring
 
 
 (122)
Deferred income tax items
 (15) 
 (65)
Water abatement - Oil Sands
 
 
 (48)
Income from continuing operations450
 405
 1,260
 1,158
Discontinued operations
 
 
 1,239
Net income$450
 $405
 $1,260
 $2,397
9.    Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans
The following summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost:
 Three Months Ended September 30,
  
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
Service cost$12
 $12
 $1
 $1
Interest cost16
 17
 4
 4
Expected return on plan assets(14) (16) 
 
Amortization: 
  
  
  
– prior service cost (credit)2
 1
 (2) (2)
– actuarial loss12
 12
 
 
– net settlement loss(a)
34
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost$62
 $26
 $3
 $3
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
  
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
Service cost$37
 $35
 $3
 $3
Interest cost48
 50
 11
 12
Expected return on plan assets(46) (49) 
 
Amortization: 
  
  
  
– prior service cost (credit)6
 4
 (5) (5)
– actuarial loss37
 37
 
 
– net settlement loss(a)
34
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost$116
 $77
 $9
 $10
(a)
Settlement losses are recorded when lump sum payments from a plan in a period exceed the plan's total service and interest costs for the period. Such settlements occurred in our U.S. pension plans during the third quarter of 2012.

12


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


During the third quarter of 2012, we recorded the effects of partial settlements of our U.S. pension plans. We remeasured the plans' assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2012 and, as a result, recognized settlement expense along with an increase of $103 million in actuarial losses, net of settlement expenses. The net increase in actuarial losses is reported in other comprehensive income.
During the first nine months of 2011,2012, we made contributions related to continuing operations of $43$162 million to our funded pension plans.  We expect to make additional contributions up to an estimated $13$2 million to our funded pension plans over the remainder of 2011, most of which were made in October 2011.2012.  Current benefit payments related to unfunded pension and other postretirement benefit plans of our continuing operations were $4$7 million and $14$12 million during the first nine months of 2011.2012.

10.    Income Taxes
 
The following is an analysis of the effective income tax rates for continuing operations for the periods presented:
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010 
Statutory U.S. income tax rate  35%  35%
Effects of foreign operations, including foreign tax credits  7   19 
Change in permanent reinvestment assertion  7   - 
Adjustments to valuation allowances  11   - 
Tax law changes  2   2 
Other tax effects  2   (1)
        Effective income tax rate for continuing operations  64%  55%
Effects of foreign operations
The effective income tax rate is influenced by a variety of factors including the geographic and functional sources of income and the relative magnitude of these sources of income, and foreign currency remeasurement effects.income.  The provision for income taxes is allocated on a discrete, stand-alone basis to pretax segment income and to individual items not allocated to segments.  The difference between the total provision and the sum of the amounts allocated to segments and to individual items not allocated to segments is reported in “Corporate and other unallocated items” shown in Note 8.
The effects of foreign operations on our Our effective tax rate decreased in the first nine months of 20112012 was 72 percent.   This rate is higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to earnings from foreign jurisdictions, primarily Norway and Libya, where the tax rates are in excess of the U.S. statutory rate.  An increase in earnings and associated taxes from foreign jurisdictions, primarily Norway, as compared to the first nine months of 2010, primarily due to the suspension of all production operationsprior periods caused an increase in our valuation allowance on current year foreign tax credits.  In Libya, in the first quarter of 2011, where the statutory tax rate is in excess of 90 percent.  This decreasepercent, limited production resumed in the fourth quarter of 2011 and liquid hydrocarbon sales resumed in the first quarter of 2012.  A reliable estimate of 2012 annual ordinary income from our Libyan operations cannot be made and the range of possible scenarios when including ordinary income from our Libyan operations in the worldwide annual effective tax rate calculation demonstrates significant variability.  As such, for the first nine months of 2012, an estimated annual effective tax rate was partially offset bycalculated excluding Libya and applied to consolidated ordinary income excluding Libya and the tax provision applicable to Libyan ordinary income was recorded as a discrete item in the period.  Excluding Libya, the effective tax rate would be 64 percent for the first nine months of 2012.
Our effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2011 was 64 percent which is higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35 percent primarily due to earnings from foreign jurisdictions where the tax rates are in excess of the U.S. statutory rate and the valuation allowance recorded against 2011 foreign tax credits.  In addition, in the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a deferred tax charge of $122 million related to an internal restructuring of our international subsidiaries in the second quarter of 2011.
Change in permanent reinvestment assertion
A principal tax planning strategy available to realize the deferred tax asset for our foreign tax credit benefits relates to the permanent reinvestment of our foreign subsidiaries’ earnings, which is reconsidered quarterly to give effect to changes in our portfolio of producing properties and in our tax profile. In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded $716 million of deferred U.S. tax on undistributed earnings of $2,046 million that we previously intended to permanently reinvest in foreign operations. Offsetting this tax expense were associated foreign tax credits of $488 million. In addition, we reduced our valuation allowance related to foreign tax credits by $228 million due to recognizing deferred U.S. tax on previously undistributed earnings.subsidiaries.
Adjustments to valuation allowance
The ability to realize the benefit of foreign tax credits is based on certain estimates concerning future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing liquid hydrocarbon, natural gas and synthetic crude oil prices), future financial conditions, income generated from foreign sources and Marathon Oil's tax profile in the years that such credits may be claimed.  In the third quarter of 2011, we increased the valuation allowance against foreign tax credits by $227
14
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

million because it is more likely than not that we will be unable to realize all U.S. benefits on foreign taxes accrued in 2011.  A higher price and production outlook over the next several years for Norway due to better than expected performance contributed to our generating excess foreign tax credits.
During the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a valuation allowance of $18 million on our deferred tax assets related to state operating loss carryforwards.  Due to the spin-off (see Note 2), we have determined it is more likely than not that we will be unable to realize all recorded deferred tax assets.
Tax law changes
On July 19, 2011, the U.K. enacted Finance Bill 2011 which increased the rate of the supplementary charge levied on profits from U.K. oil and gas production from 20 percent to 32 percent, effective March 24, 2011.  As a result of this legislation, we recorded deferred tax expense of $15 million in the third quarter of 2011.
On May 25, 2011, Michigan enacted legislation that replaced the Michigan Business Tax (“MBT”) with a corporate income tax (“CIT”), effective January 1, 2012.  The new CIT legislation eliminates the “book-tax difference deduction” that was provided under the MBT to mitigate the net increase in a taxpayer’s deferred tax liability resulting when Michigan moved from the Single Business Tax, a non-income tax, to the MBT, an income tax, on July 12, 2007.  Such a change in the tax law must be recognized in earnings in the period enacted regardless of the effective date.  The total effect of tax law changes on deferred tax balances is recorded as income tax expense related to continuing operations in the period the law is enacted, even if a portion of the deferred tax balances relate to discontinued operations.  As a result of the new CIT legislation, we recorded an expense of $32 million in the second quarter of 2011.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“HCERA”), (together, the “Acts”) were signed in to law in March 2010.  The Acts effectively change the tax treatment of federal subsidies paid to sponsors of retiree health benefit plans that provide prescription drug benefits that are at least actuarially equivalent to the corresponding benefits provided under Medicare Part D.  The federal subsidy paid to employers was introduced as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “MPDIMA”).  Under the MPDIMA, the federal subsidy does not reduce our income tax deduction for the costs of providing such prescription drug plans nor is it subject to income tax individually.  Beginning in 2013, under the Acts, our income tax deduction for the costs of providing Medicare Part D-equivalent prescription drug benefits to retirees will be reduced by the amount of the federal subsidy.  Such a change in the tax law must be recognized in earnings in the period enacted regardless of the effective date.  The total effect of tax law changes on deferred tax balances is recorded as income tax expense related to continuing operations in the period the law is enacted, even if a portion of the deferred tax balances relate to discontinued operations.  As a result, we have recorded a charge of $45 million in the first quarter of 2010 for the write-off of deferred tax assets to reflect the change in the tax treatment of the federal subsidy.
The following table summarizes the activity in unrecognized tax benefits:
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions) 2011  2010 2012 2011
Beginning balance $103  $75 $157
 $103
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  3   4 2
 3
Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year  (3)  (4)(1) (3)
Additions for tax positions of prior years  71   16 97
 71
Reductions for tax positions of prior years  (24)  (22)(66) (24)
Settlements  (9)  (1)(12) (9)
Ending balance $141  $68 $177
 $141
If the unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 20112012 were recognized, $90$114 million would affect our effective income tax rate.  There were $10$143 million of uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 20112012 for which it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits would decrease during the next twelve months.

13

15
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


11.   Inventories
 
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market value.  The cost of inventories of crude oil, refined products and merchandise is determined primarily under the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method.
 September 30, December 31,
(In millions)2012 2011
Liquid hydrocarbons, natural gas and bitumen$72
 $147
Supplies and sundry items252
 214
Total inventories, at cost$324
 $361
A significant portion of our inventories were related to our downstream business (see Note 2) at December 31, 2010.
  September 30,  December 31, 
(In millions) 2011  2010 
Liquid hydrocarbons, natural gas and bitumen $135  $1,275 
Refined products and merchandise  -   1,774 
Supplies and sundry items  207   404 
        Total inventories, at cost $342  $3,453 

12.  Property, Plant and Equipment
  September 30,  December 31, 
(In millions) 2011  2010 
E&P      
    United States $14,549  $13,532 
     International  12,270   11,736 
          Total E&P  26,819   25,268 
OSM  9,866   9,631 
IG  36   47 
RM&T(a)
  -   16,624 
Corporate  328   457 
          Total property, plant and equipment  37,049   52,027 
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization  (16,731)  (19,805)
          Net property, plant and equipment $20,318  $32,222 
(a)  
 See Note 2 for a discussion of the spin-off of our downstream (RM&T) business.
 September 30, December 31,
(In millions)2012 2011
E&P   
United States$22,167
 $19,679
International13,185
 12,579
Total E&P35,352
 32,258
OSM10,070
 9,936
IG38
 37
Corporate424
 341
Total property, plant and equipment45,884
 42,572
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization(18,438) (17,248)
Net property, plant and equipment$27,446
 $25,324
In the first quarter of 2011, production operations in Libya were suspended and we are not currently making deliveriessuspended. In the fourth quarter of hydrocarbons from our interest2011, limited production resumed.  Since that time, average net liquid hydrocarbon sales volumes have increased to 49 thousand barrels per day (“mbbld”) in the Waha concessionthird quarter of 2012 and 37 mbbld in eastern Libya. Asthe first nine months of September 30, 2011, our net property, plant and equipment investment in Libya is approximately $758 million and our net proved reserves in Libya were 242 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mmboe”) at December 31, 2010.  The return of our operations in Libya to pre-conflict levels is unknown at this time, however, we2012.  We and our partners in the Waha concession are assessingconcessions continue to assess the condition of our assets in Libya and when the resumption of operations will be viable.  In addition, payments due to the Libyan government or entities affiliated with the Libyan government have been blocked by the U.S. government under a February 25, 2011 executive order.  Such amounts, as of September 30, 2011, primarily related to taxesuncertainty around sustained production and royalties due on our January and February 2011 sales totaled approximately $200 million.levels remains.
Exploratory well costs capitalized greater than one year after completion of drilling (“suspended”) were $390$207 million as of September 30, 2011, an increase of $67 million2012.  The net decrease in such costs from December 31, 2010.  The resumption of our offshore2011 primarily related to changes in three areas.  Norway exploration projectcosts of $55 million incurred between 2009 and 2011 have been suspended for greater than one year, pending commencement of the Boyla development which was submitted to the Norwegian government for approval in 2011 reduced the total suspended exploratory well costs by $26 millionJune and approved in the first quarter of 2011.October 2012.  Drilling on the InnsbruckShenandoah prospect located on Mississippi Canyon Block 993 in the Gulf of Mexico resumed in June 2012.  Costs of $38 million related to Shenandoah are no longer suspended. The Innsbruck well was suspendedreentered in the second quarterSeptember 2012; therefore, costs of 2010 due$60 million related to the U.S. Department of Interior’s drilling moratorium. During the third quarter of 2011, we received an exploration permit andprospect are in the process of obtaining a rig in orderno longer suspended.

14


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to resume drilling on this property.  Costs of $88 million related to that project have now been capitalized for greater than one year.
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


13.  Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair Values - Recurring
As of September 30, 2011, balances related to interest rate swaps accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis were assets of $28 million. The interest rate swaps are in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured at fair value with a market approach using market price quotes or a price obtained from third-party services such as Bloomberg L.P. which have been corroborated with data from active markets for similar assets and liabilities. The majority of our 2010 derivatives related to our downstream business. The following table presents assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010September 30, 2012 by fair value hierarchy level.
16
 September 30, 2012
(In millions)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Collateral Total
Derivative instruments, assets         
     Commodity$
 $47
 $
 $1
 $48
     Interest rate
 22
 
 
 22
     Foreign currency
 20
 
 
 20
          Derivative instruments, assets
 89
 
 1
 90
Derivative instruments, liabilities         
     Commodity
 2
 
 
 2
     Foreign currency
 1
 
 
 1
          Derivative instruments, liabilities$
 $3
 $
 $
 $3
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
  December 31, 2010 
(In millions) Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Collateral  Total 
Derivative instruments, assets               
     Commodity $58  $-  $1  $81  $140 
     Interest rate  -   32   -   -   32 
          Derivative instruments, assets  58   32   1   81   172 
Derivative instruments, liabilities                    
     Commodity  (102)  -   (3)  -   (105)
          Derivative instruments, liabilities $(102) $-  $(3) $-  $(105)
At December 31, 2010, commodity derivatives in Level 1 are exchange-traded contracts for crude oil, natural gas and refined products measured at fair value with a market approach using the close-of-day settlement price for the market.  Commodity derivatives, interest rate derivatives and foreign currency forwardsswaps in Level 2 are measured at fair value with a market approach using broker price quotes or prices obtained from exchanges or pricing services, which have been corroborated with data from active markets for similar assets and liabilities.  Commodity options in Level 2 are valued using The Black-Scholes Model.  Inputs to this model include prices as noted above, discount factors, and  implied market volatility.  The inputs used to estimate fair value are categorized as Level 2 because predominantly all assumptions and inputs are observable in active markets throughout the term of the instruments.  Collateral deposits related to commodity derivatives are in broker accounts covered by master netting agreements.
Interest rate swaps are measured at fair value with a market approach using actionable broker quotes which are Level 2 inputs.  Foreign currency forwards are measured at fair value with a market approach using third-party pricing services, such as Bloomberg L.P. or Platt’s, a Division of McGraw-Hill Corporation (“Platt’s”), which have been corroborated with data from active markets for similar assets and liabilities.  Collateral depositsliabilities, and are Level 2 inputs.
As of December 31, 2011, balances related to both Level 1 and Level 2 commodity derivatives are in broker accounts covered by master netting agreements. Commodity derivatives in Level 3 are measuredinterest rate swaps accounted for at fair value withon a market approach using prices obtained from third-party services such as Platt’s and price assessments from other independent brokers.
The following is a reconciliationrecurring basis were noncurrent assets of the net beginning and ending balances recorded for derivative instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Beginning balance $-  $(3) $(2) $9 
          Included in net income  -   4   -   23 
          Included in other comprehensive income  -   -   -   4 
     Transfers to Level 2  -   -   -   (30)
     Purchases  -   -   -   2 
     Settlements  -   1   -   (6)
     Spin-off downstream business  -   -   2   - 
Ending balance $-  $2  $-  $2 
No instruments$5 million measured at fair value using actionable broker quotes which are Level 3 inputs2 inputs. There were held on September 30, 2011.  Net income for the third quarter and first nine monthsno other significant recurring fair value measurements as of 2010 included unrealized gains of $3 million related to instruments held on September 30, 2010.  See Note 14 for the income statement impacts of our derivative instruments.
December 31, 2011.
Fair Values - Nonrecurring
The following tables show the values of assets, by major class, measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition.
 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2012 2011
(In millions)Fair Value Impairment Fair Value Impairment
Long-lived assets held for use$2
 $8
 $
 $
 
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2012 2011
(In millions)Fair Value Impairment Fair Value Impairment
Long-lived assets held for use$77
 $271
 $226
 $282
Intangible assets$
 $
 $
 $25
17Our E&P segment’s Ozona development in the Gulf of Mexico began production in December 2011.  During the first quarter of 2012, production rates declined significantly and have remained below initial expectations.  Accordingly, our reserve engineers performed an evaluation of our future production as well as our reserves which concluded in early April 2012.  This resulted in a

15


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


  Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010 
(In millions) Fair Value  Impairment  Fair Value  Impairment 
Equity method investment  -   -   -   25 
                 
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010 
(In millions) Fair Value  Impairment  Fair Value  Impairment 
Long-lived assets held for use $226  $282  $146  $439 
Equity method investment  -   -   -   25 
Intangible assets $-  $25  $-  $- 
2 million barrel of oil equivalent reduction in proved reserves and a $261 million impairment charge in the first quarter of 2012.  The fair value of the Ozona development was determined using an income approach based upon internal estimates of future production levels, prices and discount rate, all Level 3 inputs.  Inputs to the fair value measurement included reserve and production estimates made by our reservoir engineers, estimated liquid hydrocarbon prices based on the Louisiana Light Sweet 12-month price range, as we think production will not be significant beyond twelve months, adjusted for quality and location differentials, and forecasted operating expenses for the remaining estimated life of the reservoir.
In May 2011, significant water production and reservoir pressure declines occurred at our E&P segment’s Droshky development in the Gulf of Mexico. Plans for a waterflood have been cancelled and the field will be produced to abandonment pressures, expected in the first half of 2012. Consequently, 3.4 million barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves were written off and a $273$273 million impairment of this long-lived asset to fair value was recorded in the second quarter of 2011.  The $226 million fair value of the Droshky development was determined using an income approach based upon internal estimates of future production levels, prices and discount rate, all Level 3 inputs.
In the second quarter of 2011, our outlook for U.S. natural gas prices madeindicated that it was unlikely that sufficient U.S. demand for LNG would materialize by 2021, which is when theour rights lapse under arrangements at the Elba Island, Georgia regasification facility.  Using an income approach based upon internal estimates of natural gas prices and future deliveries, which are Level 3 inputs, we determined that the contract had no remaining fair value and recorded a full impairment of this intangible asset held in our Integrated Gas segment.
In March 2010, we completed a reservoir study which resulted in a portionOther impairments of our Powder River Basin field being removed from plans for future development in our E&P segment. The field’s fair value was measured at $144 million, using an income approach based upon internal estimates of future production levels, prices and discount rate which are Level 3 inputs.  This resulted in an impairment of $423 million.
Impairments of several other long-lived assets held for use inby our E&P segment that were evaluated in the third quarter and first nine months ended September 30,of 2012 and 2011 and 2010 were a result of reduced drilling expectations, reduction of estimated reserves or declining natural gas prices, and are also reported above.prices.  The fair values of those assets were measured using an income approach based upon internal estimates of future production levels, commodity prices and discount rate, which are Level 3 inputs.
Fair Values – Reported
The following table summarizes financial instruments, excluding the derivative financial instruments, and their reported fair value by individual balance sheet line item at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
  September 30, 2011  December 31, 2010 
  Fair  Carrying  Fair  Carrying 
(In millions) Value  Amount  Value  Amount 
Financial assets            
     Other current assets $223  $220  $226  $220 
     Other noncurrent assets  273   276   396   231 
          Total financial assets    496   496   622   451 
Financial liabilities                
     Long-term debt, including current portion(a)
  5,636   4,985   8,364   7,527 
     Deferred credits and other liabilities  33   35   66   67 
          Total financial liabilities   $5,669  $5,020  $8,430  $7,594 
(a)      Excludes capital leases.
Our current assets and liabilities include financial instruments, the most significant of which are trade accounts receivables and payables.  We believe the carrying values of our current assetsthese accounts receivables and liabilitiespayables approximate fair value.  Our fair value assessment incorporates a variety of considerations, including (1) the short-term duration of the instruments, (2) our investment-grade credit rating, and (3) our historical incurrence of and expected future
18
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

insignificance of bad debt expense, which includes an evaluation of counterparty credit risk.  Exceptions to this assessment are:
·  receivables from United States Steel Corporation (“United States Steel”), which areThe following table summarizes financial instruments, excluding trade accounts receivables and payables and derivative financial instruments, and their reported in other current assets above and discussed below; and
·  the current portion of our long-term debt, which is reported with long-term debt above and discussed below.
The current portion of receivables from United States Steel is reported in other current assets, and the long-term portion is included in other noncurrent assets.  The fair value of the receivables from United States Steel is measured using an income approach that discounts the future expected payments over the remaining term of the obligations.  Because this receivable is not publicly-tradedby individual balance sheet line item at September 30, 2012 and not easily transferable, a hypothetical market based upon United States Steel’s borrowing rate curve is assumed and the majority of inputs to the calculation are Level 3.  The industrial revenue bonds are to be redeemed on or before December 31, 2011 the tenth anniversary of the USX Separation.:
 September 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
 Fair Carrying Fair Carrying
(In millions)Value Amount Value Amount
Financial assets       
Other current assets$135
 $134
 $146
 $148
Other noncurrent assets158
 158
 68
 68
Total financial assets  293
 292
 214
 216
Financial liabilities 
  
  
  
     Other current liabilities13
 13
 
 
     Long-term debt, including current portion(a)
5,639
 4,653
 5,479
 4,753
Deferred credits and other liabilities100
 101
 36
 38
Total financial liabilities  $5,752
 $4,767
 $5,515
 $4,791
(a)      Excludes capital leases.
Fair values of our remaining financial assets included in other current assets and other noncurrent assets and of our financial liabilities included in other current liabilities and deferred credits and other liabilities are measured using an income approach and most inputs are internally generated, which results in a Level 3 classification.  Estimated future cash flows are discounted using a rate deemed appropriate to obtain the fair value.
Over 90 percentMost of our long-term debt instruments are publicly-traded.  A market approach based upon quotes from major financial institutions is used to measure the fair value of such debt.  Because these quotes cannot be independently verified to an active

16


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


market they are considered Level 3 inputs.   The fair value of our debt that is not publicly-traded is measured using an income approach.  The future debt service payments are discounted using the rate at which we currently expect to borrow.  All inputs to this calculation are Level 3.

14.  Derivatives
For information regarding the fair value measurement of derivative instruments, see Note 13.
The majority of our 2010 derivatives related to our downstream business. The following table presents the gross fair values of derivativederivatives instruments, excluding cash collateral, and where they appear on the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.2012.
 September 30, 2012  
(In millions)Asset Liability Net Asset Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value Hedges       
     Foreign currency$20
 $
 $20
 Other current assets
     Interest rate22
 
 22
 Other noncurrent assets
Total Designated Hedges42
 
 42
  
        
Not Designated as Hedges       
     Commodity30
 
 30
 Other current assets
     Commodity20
 
 20
 Other noncurrent assets
Total Not Designated as Hedges50
 
 50
  
     Total$92
 $
 $92
  
 

  September 30, 2011  
(In millions) Asset  Liability  Net Asset Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value Hedges          
     Interest rate $28  $-  $28 Other noncurrent assets
Total Designated Hedges  28   -   28  
              
Not Designated as Hedges             
     Commodity  1   -   1 Other current assets
Total Not Designated as Hedges  1   -   1  
              
     Total $29  $-  $29  

  December 31, 2010  
(In millions) Asset  Liability  Net Asset Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value Hedges          
     Interest rate $32  $-  $32 Other noncurrent assets
Total Designated Hedges  32   -   32  
              
Not Designated as Hedges             
     Commodity  58   102   (44)Other current assets
Total Not Designated as Hedges  58   102   (44) 
              
     Total $90  $102  $(12) 
19
 September 30, 2012  
(In millions)Asset Liability Net Liability Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value Hedges       
     Foreign currency$
 $1
 $1
 Other current liabilities
Total Designated Hedges
 1
 1
  
        
Not Designated as Hedges       
     Commodity
 5
 5
 Other current liabilities
Total Not Designated as Hedges
 5
 5
  
     Total$
 $6
 $6
  
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  December 31, 2010  
(In millions) Asset  Liability  Net Liability Balance Sheet Location
Not Designated as Hedges          
           
     Commodity $1  $3  $2 Other current liabilities
              
Total Not Designated as Hedges  1   3   2  
     Total $1  $3  $2  
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
As of September 30,December 31, 2011 no, our derivatives outstanding were designated as cash flow hedges.
Gainsinterest rate swaps that were fair value hedges, which had an asset value of $10$5 million related to cash flow hedges were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income during and are located on the first quarter of 2011.  This amortization was accelerated because the related debt was retired.consolidated balance sheet in Other noncurrent assets.
Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedges
As of September 30, 2012, we had multiple interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $600 million at a weighted average, London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”)-based, floating rate of  4.71 percent.
As of September 30, 2012, our foreign currency forwards had an aggregate notional amount of 3,939 million Norwegian Kroner at a weighted average forward rate of 5.911. These forwards hedge our current Norwegian tax liability and have settlement dates through February 2013.
In connection with the debt retired in February and March 2011 discussed in Note 15, we settled interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $1,450 million. We recorded a $29$1,450 million gain, which reduced the loss on extinguishment of debt..

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MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
As of September 30, 2011, we had multiple interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $500 million at a weighted average, LIBOR-based, floating rate of 3.65 percent.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The following table summarizes the pretax effect of derivative instruments designated as hedges of fair value in our consolidated statements of income:income are summarized in the table below.
  Gain (Loss)
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(In millions)Income Statement Location2012 2011 2012 2011
Derivative        
Interest rateNet interest and other$6
 $26
 $17
 $25
Interest rateLoss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 29
Foreign currencyProvision for income taxes$22
 $
 $(18) $
Hedged Item  
  
  
  
Long-term debtNet interest and other$(6) $(26) $(17) $(25)
Long-term debtLoss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 (29)
Accrued taxesProvision for income taxes$(22) $
 $18
 $
 
  Gain (Loss) 
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, September 30, 
(In millions)Income Statement Location2011 2010 2011 2010 
Derivative             
     Interest rateNet interest and other financing costs $26  $15  $25  $39 
Hedged Item                 
     Long-term debtNet interest and other financing costs $(26) $(15) $(25) $(39)
Derivatives not Designated as Hedges
The effectIn August 2012, we entered crude oil derivatives related to continuing operationsa portion of our forecast U.S. E&P crude oil sales through December 31, 2013. These commodity derivatives were not designated as hedges and are shown in the table below.
TermBbls per DayWeighted Average Price per BblBenchmark
Swaps   
October 2012 - December 201320,000$96.29West Texas Intermediate
October 2012 - December 201325,000$109.19Brent
Option Collars   
October 2012 - December 201315,000$90.00 floor / $101.17 ceilingWest Texas Intermediate
October 2012 - December 201315,000$100.00 floor / $116.30 ceilingBrent
The following table summarizes the effect of all derivative instruments not designated as hedges in our consolidated statements of income appear on the sales and other operating revenues line as gains of $2 million and $7 million in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010.  For the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 the gains were $income.
  Gain (Loss)
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(In millions)Income Statement Location2012 2011 2012 2011
CommoditySales and other operating revenues$45
 $2
 $46
 $3
3 million and $130 million.
15.   Debt
 On October 29, 2012, we issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes bearing interest at 0.9 percent with a maturity date of November 1, 2015 and $1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes bearing interest at 2.8 percent with a maturity date of November 1, 2022. Interest on the senior notes is payable semi-annually beginning May 1, 2013. The proceeds are being used to pay off commercial paper and for general corporate purposes.
At September 30, 2011,2012, we had no borrowings outstanding, and no borrowings were made during the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011 against our $3 billion revolving credit facility, ordescribed below, and $1,839 million in commercial paper outstanding under our U.S. commercial paper program that is backed by the revolving credit facility.
 In April 2012, we terminated our $3.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility and replaced it with a new $2.5 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”).  The Credit Facility matures in April 2017 but allows us to request two one-year extensions.   It contains an option to increase the commitment amount by up to an additional $1.0 billion, subject to the consent of any increasing lenders, and includes sub-facilities for swing-line loans and letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $100 million and $500 million, respectively.  Fees on the unused commitment of each lender range from 10 basis points to 25 basis points depending on our credit ratings.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option,

18


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


at either (a) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 87.5 basis points to 162.5 basis points per year depending on our credit ratings or (b) the Base Rate plus a margin ranging from 0.0 basis points to 62.5 basis points depending on our credit ratings.  Base Rate is defined as a per annum rate equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent and (c) LIBOR for a one-month interest period plus 1 percent.
 The agreement contains a covenant that requires our ratio of total debt to total capitalization not to exceed 65 percent as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.  If an event of default occurs, the lenders may terminate the commitments under the Credit Facility and require the immediate repayment of all outstanding borrowings and the cash collateralization of all outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility.
In February and Marchthe second quarter of 2012, we retired the remaining $23 million principal amount of our 5.375 percent revenue bonds due December 2013.  No gain or loss was recorded on this early extinguishment of debt.  During the first quarter of 2012, $53 million principal amount of debt carrying a 9.375 percent interest rate was repaid at maturity.
During the first quarter of 2011, we retired the following$2,498 million aggregate principal amount of debt at a weighted average price equal to 112 percent of face value. A $279$279 million loss on early extinguishment of debt was recognized in the first quarter of 2011.  The loss includes related deferred financing and premium costs partially offset by the gain on settled interest rate swaps.
16.    Incentive Based Compensation
 
20
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In millions)   
6.000% notes due 2012 $400 
6.125% notes due 2012  450 
8.375% secured notes due 2012(a)
  448 
6.500% debentures due 2014  700 
5.900% notes due 2018  40 
7.500% debentures due 2019  460 
   Total debt purchases $2,498 
(a)These notes were senior secured notes of Marathon Oil Canada Corporation.
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Awards
In April 2010, we retired $500 million in aggregate principal of our debt under two tender offers at a weighted average price equal to 117 percent of face value.  As a result of the tender offers, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $92 million, including the transaction premium as well as the expensing of related deferred financing costs on the debt in the second quarter of 2010.
In May 2010, United States Steel redeemed $89 million of certain industrial development and environmental improvement bonds.
 United States Steel has issued calls for the fourth quarter of 2011 on the remaining environmental revenue bonds for which we remained obligated after the USX Separation. 

16.           Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Pursuant to the Employee Matters Agreement (see Note 2), we made certain adjustments to the exercise price and number of our stock-based compensation awards, under existing antidilution provisions, with the intention of generally preserving the intrinsic value of the awards immediately prior to the spin-off.  Outstanding options to purchase common shares of Marathon stock that were vested prior to the spin-off were adjusted so that the holders of the options hold options to purchase common shares of both Marathon Oil and MPC stock.  Unvested stock options and restricted stock were converted to those of the entity where the employee holding them is working post-separation.  Adjustments to our stock-based compensation awards did not result in additional compensation expense.
The following table presentingpresents a summary of stock option award and restricted stock award activity for the first nine months ended September 30, 2011 reflects the adjustments discussed above.of 2012
 Stock Options  Restricted Stock 
 Number of Shares  Weighted Average Exercise Price  Awards  Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010  24,912,261  $24.85   2,084,680  $23.03 
Stock Options Restricted Stock
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 Awards 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 201121,370,715
 
$24.41
 3,703,978
 
$25.88
Granted  7,676,544(a)  32.30   2,982,520(b)  27.85 1,858,872
(a) 

$33.52
 2,169,744
 
$31.61
Options Exercised/Stock Vested  (3,514,758)  15.05   (869,699)  28.28 (1,256,318)

$18.25
 (1,142,195) 
$25.18
Cancelled  (403,223)  23.11   (117,543)  23.82 (509,748)

$28.29
 (287,278) 
$27.96
Spin-off downstream business  (6,989,110)  30.94   (289,925)  21.24 
Outstanding at September 30, 2011  21,681,714  $24.47   3,790,033  $25.73 
Outstanding at September 30, 201221,463,521
 
$25.47
 4,444,249
 
$28.72
(a)  (a)    The weighted average grant date fair value of stock option awards granted was $10.45$9.94 per share.
(b)    Beginning in August, 2011, most employees on the U.S., U.K., Canadian and Norwegian payrolls are eligible for a restricted stock grant, based on performance.
Performance Unit Awards
 During the first quarter of 2012, we granted 13 million performance units to executive officers.  These units have a 36-month performance period.
17.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011
Net cash provided from operating activities:   
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)$164
 $197
Income taxes paid to taxing authorities3,457
 2,183
Commercial paper, net: 
  
Commercial paper - issuances$10,420
 $
- repayments(8,581) 
Noncash investing activities: 
  
Debt payments made by United States Steel$19
 $18
Liabilities assumed in acquisition85
 
Change in capital expenditure accrual170
 (61)

17.  Stockholders’ Equity
As of September 30, 2011, we had acquired 78 million common shares at a cost of $3,222 million under our $5 billion authorized share repurchase program, including 12 million common shares acquired during the third quarter of 2011 at a cost of $300 million.

19

21
MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


18.           Supplemental Cash Flow Information

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010 
Net cash provided from operating activities:      
     Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized) $197  $93 
     Income taxes paid to taxing authorities  2,183   1,426 
Noncash investing and financing activities:        
     Debt payments made by United States Steel  18   106 
The consolidated statements of cash flows exclude changes to the consolidated balance sheets that did not affect cash.  The following is a reconciliation of additions to property, plant and equipment to total capital expenditures.

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(in millions)2011 2010 
Additions to property, plant and equipment $2,437  $2,703 
Change in capital accruals  (61)  (201)
     Capital expenditures, continuing operations $2,376  $2,502 

19.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
We are defendant in a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, royalty claims, contract claims and environmental claims.  While the ultimate outcome and impact to us cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Certain of these matters are discussed below.
 
Litigation - In March 2011, Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC (“Noble”) filed a lawsuit against us in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and negligent misrepresentation, relating to a multi-year drilling contract for a newly constructed drilling rig to be deployed in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.  We filed an answer in April 2011, contending, among other things, failure to perform, failure to comply with material obligations, failure to mitigate alleged damages and that Noble failed to provide the rig according to the operating, performance and safety requirements specified in the drilling contract. Noble is seeking an unspecified amount offor damages.  We are vigorously defending this litigation.  The ultimate outcome of this lawsuit, including any financial effect on us, remains uncertain.  We do not believe an estimate of a reasonably possibleprobable loss (or range of loss) can be made for this lawsuit at this time.
GuaranteesOther contingencies - During the second quarter of 2011, the AOSP operator determined the need and developed preliminary plans to address water flow into a previously mined and contained section After our 2009 sale of the Muskeg River mine.  Our share of the estimated costssubsidiary holding our interest in the amountCorrib natural gas development offshore Ireland, one guarantee of $64 million was recordedthat entity's performance related to costasset retirement obligations remains issued to certain Irish government entities until the Irish government and the current Corrib partners agree to release our guarantee and accept the purchaser's guarantee to replace it. The maximum potential undiscounted payments related to asset retirement obligations under this guarantee as of revenues.  At September 30, 2011, the remaining liability is $56 million.2012 are $40 million.
Contractual commitments At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Marathon’s contract commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment were $2,641 million.  The decrease from commitment levels previously reported is primarily due to the spin-off of our downstream business on June 30, 2011.  See Note 2 for discussion of the spin-off.$974 million and $664 million.

20

22



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We are an international energy company with operations in the U.S., Canada, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.  Our operations are organized into three reportable segments:
Exploration and Production (“E&P”) which explores for, produces and markets liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas on a worldwide basis.
Oil Sands Mining (“OSM”) which mines, extracts and transports bitumen from oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada, and upgrades the bitumen to produce and market synthetic crude oil and vacuum gas oil.
Integrated Gas (“IG”) which produces and markets products manufactured from natural gas, such as liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and methanol, in Equatorial Guinea.
 
Certain sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include forward-looking statements concerning trends or events potentially affecting our business.  These statements typically contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “targets,” “plans,” “projects,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “would” or similar words indicating that future outcomes are uncertain.  In accordance with “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, these statements are accompanied by cautionary language identifying important factors, though not necessarily all such factors, which could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  For additional risk factors affecting our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q and our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Key Operating and Financial Activities
Spin-off Downstream Business into Independent CompanyIn the third quarter of 2012, notable items were:
Net liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas sales volumes of 452 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (“mboed”), of which 65 percent was liquid hydrocarbons
Net international liquid hydrocarbon sales volumes, for which average realizations have exceeded West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil, were 62 percent of total liquid hydrocarbon sales
On June 30, 2011, the spin-offEagle Ford shale average net sales volumes of Marathon’s downstream (Refining, Marketing and Transportation) business was completed, creating two independent energy companies:  Marathon Petroleum Corporation (“MPC”) and Marathon Oil Corporation.  Marathon shareholders at the close40 mboed, an increase of business on the record date of June 27, 2011 received one share of MPC common stock for every two shares of Marathon common stock held. Fractional shares of MPC common stock were not distributed and any fractional share of MPC common stock otherwise issuable to a Marathon shareholder was sold in the open market on such shareholder's behalf, and such shareholder received a cash payment with respect to that fractional share.  A tax ruling received in June 201190 percent from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) affirmedsecond quarter of 2012
Production from Libya increased over the tax-free naturesecond quarter of 2012, with average net sales of 53 mboed
Bakken shale average net sales volumes of 30 mboed, a 87 percent increase over the same quarter of last year
Closed the acquisition of Paloma Partners II, LLC
Assumed operatorship of the spin-off.  Activities related to the downstream business have been treated as discontinued operations in all periods presented in this Form 10-Q (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements forVilje field offshore Norway
Some significant fourth quarter activities through November 7, 2012 include:
Closed acquisition of an additional information).
Overview
 We are an international energy company with operations in the U.S., Canada, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.  Our operations are organized into three reportable segments:
wExploration and Production (“E&P”) which explores for, produces and markets liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas on a worldwide basis.
wOil Sands Mining (“OSM”) which mines, extracts and transports bitumen from oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada, and upgrades the bitumen to produce and market synthetic crude oil and vacuum gas oil.
wIntegrated Gas (“IG”) which markets and transports products manufactured from natural gas, such as liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) and methanol, on a worldwide basis.
Assets within these three segments are at various stages in their lifecycle and we further classify them as base, growth or exploration.  We have a stable group of base assets, which include our OSM and IG segments and traditional E&P assets in Norway, Equatorial Guinea, the U.K. and the U.S.  These assets generate much of the cash that will be available for investment in our growth assets and exploration projects.  Growth assets are where we expect to make significant investment in order to realize production and reserve increases.  We are focused on North America liquid hydrocarbon growth by developing liquids-rich shale play positions, including the establishment of a dominant position4,300 net acres in the core of the Eagle Ford shale play. In addition to the North America shale plays, growth assets include the development of Angola Block 31 and our Canadian in-situ assets.  Our areas of exploration are Poland, the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the Gulf of Mexico.
Operating and Financial Highlights
Significant operating and financial highlights during the third quarter of 2011 include:
·  Liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas sales of 349 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (“mboepd”), of which 60 percent was liquid hydrocarbons
·  International liquid hydrocarbon sales, which receive higher prices than West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil, were 67 percent of total
·  Synthetic crude oil sales of 50 thousand barrels per day (“mbpd”), a 61 percent increase over the same period last year
·  Operating seven rigs and two hydraulic fracturing crews in North Dakota’s Bakken shale play
·  Operating six rigs in the Anadarko Woodford shale play
23
·  Completed the Shi Randall (50 percent working interest) well in the Anadarko Woodford shale which had an initial 30-day production rate of 1,693 mboepd, of which 35 percent was liquids
·  Added a second drilling rig in the Niobrara shale play
·  Received exploration permitsSigned agreement for the Innsbruck (Mississippi Canyon block 993, 85 percent working interest) and Key Largo (Walker Ridge block 578, 60 percent working interest) prospects and  lease extensions on 26 blocks in the Gulf of Mexico
·  Completed the Ozona well (Garden Banks block 515, 68 percent working interest) as a single zone producer and is ready for first production
·  Cash-adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of 2 percent, however, this will increase in the fourth quarter of 2011 upon completion of the Eagle Ford shale and gathering system acquisitions
·  Repurchased approximately 12 million common shares at a cost of $300 million
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Early in the fourth quarter, we closed on the following transactions in Eagle Ford: the previously announced 141,000 net acres from Hilcorp Resources Holdings, LP (“Hilcorp”); additional interests of approximately 19,000 acres net acres; and a gas gathering system.  Also, during the fourth quarter, we expect to close on an additional 6,800 net acres in Eagle Ford from tag-along rights.  The total acquisition cost for these nearly 167,000 net acres and the gathering system is expected to be approximately $4.5 billion, including projected closing adjustments and future carrying costs.  These transactions will be funded largely from existing cash.  The acreage includes proved and unproved oil and gas assets, as well as some producing wells.  We are in the process of evaluating the acquisitions to determine whether they will be accounted for as business combinations or as asset acquisitions.
In October 2011, we entered into definitive agreements to sell our E&P segment’s equity interests in several Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems including our 2820 percent interest in Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, L.L.C., our 29 percent interest in Odyssey Pipeline L.L.C., our 23 percentnon-operated interest in the Eugene Island Pipeline System,South Omo concession onshore Ethiopia
Reentered Gabon by acquiring an interest in an exploration license
Acquired interests in two onshore exploration blocks in Kenya
Farmed out 35 percent working interests in the Harir and certain other oil pipeline interests. The valueSafen blocks in the Kurdistan Region of this transaction, subjectIraq
Issued $2 billion of senior notes

21



Overview and Outlook
Exploration and Production
Production
 Net liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas sales averaged 452 mboed during the third quarter and 414 mboed in the first nine months of 2012 compared to further closing adjustments, is approximately $206 million, net349 mboed and 362 mboed in the same periods of debt.  In addition,2011.  Net liquid hydrocarbon sales volumes increased in the PoseidonU.S. for both the third quarter and Odyssey interests are subject to wavierfirst nine months of rights2012, reflecting the impact of first refusal.  The carrying value of theseproduction from the Eagle Ford shale assets was $45 million as of September 30, 2011.  We expect to close the transactionacquired in the fourth quarter of 2011 and our ongoing development programs in the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Anadarko Woodford shale resource plays. The resumption of sales from Libya in the first quarter of 2012 after production had ceased there in February of 2011 was the most significant increase in international sales volumes. In addition, net liquid hydrocarbon sales volumes from the U.K. were lower in the 2012 periods than in the same periods of 2011 due to turnarounds in the third quarter and the timing of liftings.
In 2012, we continued to ramp up operations in the core of the Eagle Ford shale play in Texas. Average net sales volumes from the Eagle Ford shale were 40 mboed and 25 mboed in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012. As announced in August, we have reduced our rig count to 18 operated rigs while maintaining four dedicated hydraulic fracturing crews and two more on a spot basis.  During the third quarter of 2012, we drilled 78 gross wells and brought 73 gross wells to sales for a total of 180 gross wells drilled in the first nine months of 2012. Our average time to drill a well in the Eagle Ford shale has decreased to approximately 24 days; therefore, we now expect to drill 250 to 260 gross Eagle Ford wells during 2012, an increase of approximately 20 wells from previous estimates. In addition to the improvements in the speed and efficiency in drilling and completions, we continue to optimize well spacing which could significantly increase drillable locations and recoverable resources. We have been performing spacing pilot programs in the Eagle Ford shale which will complete early in 2013 so that we will have applicable technical results by mid-year. To complement drilling and completion activity in the Eagle Ford shale, we continue to build infrastructure to support production growth across the operating area. We are now able to transport approximately 60 percent of our Eagle Ford production by pipeline.
 Average net sales volumes from the Bakken shale were 30 mboed and 27 mboed in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to 17 mboed and 15 mboed in the same periods of 2011.  Our Bakken shale liquid hydrocarbon volumes averaged approximately 90 percent crude oil, 5 percent natural gas liquids and 5 percent natural gas in the first nine months of 2012.  During the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, we drilled 25 gross and 72 gross wells with seven rigs, with a total of 30 gross and 77 gross wells brought to sales in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2012.  By the end of October 2012, we had reduced our operated rig count in the Bakken shale to five. We continue to focus on downspacing and development in the Three Forks area.
 In the Anadarko Woodford shale, net sales volumes averaged 10 mboed and 7 mboed during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to 2 mboed and 2 mboed in the same periods of 2011.  During the third quarter of 2012, eight gross wells were brought to sales, with 14 gross wells brought to sales in the first nine months of 2012. As announced in August, in response to the continued decline in natural gas liquids prices and low natural gas prices, we have reduced our rig count in the Anadarko Woodford play from six to two.  Other areas of potential growth exist in Oklahoma and we are currently evaluating opportunities on legacy assets where the acreage is held by production. Future activity in these Oklahoma resource basins will be dependent upon the recovery of natural gas and natural gas liquids prices.
 In the first quarter 2011, production operations in Libya were suspended. In the fourth quarter of 2011, limited production resumed and has increased during 2012 so that during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, net sales volumes averaged 53 mboed and 51 mboed.  We and our partners in the Waha concessions continue to assess the condition of our assets in Libya and uncertainty around sustained production and sales levels remains.
 In June 2012, we submitted a plan for the development and operation of the Boyla field (PL 340) in the North Sea to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, which was approved in October 2012. The Boyla field is located approximately 17 miles south of our operated Alvheim field. We hold a 65 percent working interest in the field.  First production from Boyla is expected in the fourth quarter of 2014.  
Completed
In the second quarter of 2012, we completed a four-day turnaround in Norway that was originally scheduled for 14 days in the third quarter.  During the third quarter of 2011,2012, we soldbecame operator of the Vilje field offshore Norway in which we own a 47 percent interest.
 A 28-day turnaround began at our Integrated Gas segment’s equity interestproduction operations in Equatorial Guinea on March 23, 2012.  It was completed in April 2012, seven days ahead of schedule and below budget.
Our Ozona development in the Gulf of Mexico began production in December 2011.  During the first quarter of 2012, production rates declined significantly and have remained below initial expectations.  Accordingly, our reserve engineers performed

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an evaluation of our future production as well as our reserves which concluded in early April 2012.  This resulted in a liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) processing facility2 million barrels of oil equivalent reduction in Alaska.  A gainproved reserves and a $261 million impairment charge in the first quarter of 2012.
Exploration
The appraisal well on the transaction of $8 million was recordedShenandoah prospect located on Walker Ridge Block 51 in the Gulf of Mexico, in which we have a 10 percent outside-operated working interest, is currently drilling.  In the third quarter.quarter of 2012, we resumed drilling the exploration well on the Gulf of Mexico Innsbruck prospect on Mississippi Canyon Block 993 in which we hold a 45 percent operated working interest.  Through September 30, 2012, our net costs related to the well were $71 million. The well has drilled through multiple horizons with no commercial hydrocarbons found as of November 6, 2012. We anticipate reaching total depth within the next few days at a total net cost, including asset retirement obligations and leasehold costs, of approximately $100 million.
In April 2011,the second quarter of 2012, a Gunflint prospect appraisal well confirmed expected reservoir properties and continuity, establishing the commercial viability of the field.  The Gunflint discovery is located on Mississippi Canyon Block 948 and we assignedhave a 3015 percent undividedoutside-operated working interest in our Explorationthe prospect.  During the second quarter of 2012, the well costs and Production (“E&P”) segment’s approximately 180,000 acresrelated unproved property costs related to the Kilchurn well were charged to exploration expenses.
 We continue exploratory drilling in the Niobrara shale play located within the DJ Basin of southeast Wyoming and northern Colorado for total consideration of $270 million, recording a pretax gain of $37 million.  We remain operator of this jointly owned leasehold.
Also in April 2011,Poland where we farmed-out a 40 percent working interest in 10 concessions in our E&P segment’s Poland’s Paleozoic Shale play.  In late July 2011, we sold an additional 9 percent working interest. A $12 million pretax gain was recorded.  We currently hold a 51 percent working interest in these 10 operated concessions and serve as operator.
a 100 percent working interest in one concession. We have drilled 4 exploratory wells and are currently drilling a fifth well.  We have collected extensive data, including well logs and core samples, which are being evaluated. We plan to begin a sixth well by year end 2012 which should reach total depth in 2013.  
In March 2011,the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, we closedbegan drilling our first operated exploration well on the sale of our E&P segment's outside-operated interestsHarir block in July 2012 and plan to drill an operated exploration well on the Gudrun field development and the Brynhild and Eirin exploration areas offshore Norway for net proceeds of $85 million, excluding working capital adjustments.  A $64 million pretax loss on this disposition was recordedSafen block in the fourth quarter 2010.
During the first quarter 2010,of 2013.   After the farm out discussed below, we closedhave 45 percent working interests in both the saleHarir and Safen blocks.  On the non-operated Atrush block, we participated in an appraisal well during the third quarter of 2012. Additionally, we participated in a non-operated well that commenced drilling on the Sarsang block in September 2012. We hold a 20 percent outside-operatedworking interest in our E&P segment’s Production Sharing Contractthe Atrush block and Joint Operating Agreement in Block 32 offshore Angola.  We received net proceeds of $1.3 billion and recorded a pretax gain on the sale25 percent working interest in the amount of $811 million.  We retained a 10 percent outside-operated interest in Block 32.
Exploration Projects
We have notified our joint venture partner and the Indonesian government that we intend to relinquish the Pasangkayu Production Sharing Contract (PSC).  Discussions continue and we are awaiting a government response.  We also plan to shift from an operating to a non-operating position in both the Bone Bay and Kumawa PSCs over the coming year.
Sarsang block.
During the first quarter of 2011,2012, on the Birchwood oil sands lease located in Alberta, Canada, we conducted a seismic survey and drilled 94 stratigraphic testsix water wells.  We also submitted a regulatory application for a proposed 12 thousand barrel per day (“mbbld”) steam assisted gravity drainage ("SAGD") project at Birchwood. Pending regulatory approval, project sanction is expected in 2014, with first oil projected in 2017.  We have a 100 percent working interest in Birchwood.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
We continually evaluate ways to optimize our portfolio for profitable growth through acquisitions and dispositions, with a previously stated goal of divesting between $1.5 billion and $3 billion over the period of 2011 through 2013. To date, we have entered into agreements for approximately $1.1 billion in divestitures, of which more than $700 million have been completed. Included in the $1.1 billion noted above is the pending sale of our Alaska assets which is discussed below.
 On November 1, 2012, we closed the acquisition of an additional 4,300 net acres in the core of the Eagle Ford shale at a transaction cost of approximately $232 million before closing adjustments. This acquisition increased our average working interest by 5 to 7 percent in four core areas of mutual interest, included wells producing 3 net mboed at closing, and added 40 net drilling locations to our inventory. The drilling results are currently being evaluated.  Initial results are positive,closing of this transaction combined with the wells encountering expected or greater-than-expected reservoir potential.
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In April 2011, we announced a discovery on the Atrush blockacquisition of Paloma Partners II, LLC ("Paloma acquisition"), brings our acquisitions thus far in 2012 in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.core of the play to almost 25,000 additional net acres at an approximate cost of $1 billion. The Atrush-1 well was drilled to a total depth ofPaloma acquisition closed in August 2012 as discussed below. We now have approximately 11,000 feet and encountered pay230,000 net acres in the Jurassic zones.  Test flow ratescore of the Eagle Ford shale. The unproved property costs related to an additional 100,000 non-core net acres were more than 6,000 gross barrels per day.  We holdimpaired in the third quarter of 2012 as discussed below in Results of Operations.
In October 2012, we entered into an agreement to acquire a 20 percent non-operated working interest in the Atrush block.  A secondSouth Omo concession onshore Ethiopia with an effective date of August 17, 2012. An exploration well is anticipated to commence drilling in South Omo during the fourth quarter of 2012.  Cash consideration for this transaction will be $40 million, before closing adjustments, with an additional payment of $10 million due upon declaration of a commercial discovery. We expect to close the transaction, subject to necessary Ethiopian government approvals, before the end of 2012.
We acquired approximately 20,000 net acres in the Iraqicore of the Eagle Ford shale during the first nine months of 2012. The largest transaction was the acquisition of Paloma Partners II, LLC, which closed August 1, 2012 for cash consideration of $768 million.   In addition to the over 17,100 net acres acquired, at closing 17 gross operated and 9 gross non-operated wells were producing an average of 9 net mboed, of which 70 percent was liquid hydrocarbons. Smaller transactions closed during the second quarter of 2012. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further details of the Paloma acquisition.
In the third quarter of 2012, we sold approximately 5,800 net undeveloped acres located outside the core of the Eagle Ford shale for proceeds of $9 million, recording a loss of $18 million.

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In July 2012, we entered into an agreement to acquire outside-operated positions in two onshore exploration blocks in northwest Kenya.  Upon closing the $35 million transaction in October 2012, we now hold a 50 percent working interest in Block 9, where an exploration well is currently planned in mid-2013, and a 15 percent working interest in Block 12A.
 Also in July 2012, we agreed to farm out interests in the Harir and Safen blocks in the Kurdistan Region wasof Iraq.  The transaction closed in October 2012 and we received cash proceeds of $140 million, so that we now have a 45 percent working interest and carry the Swara Tika-1 well onKRG for an additional 11 percent in each of the Sarsang block.  It was drilledtwo blocks.
In June 2012, we entered an agreement to acquire a total depth of approximately 12,500 feet and encountered 1,500 feet of gross oil column in the Triassic Kura Chine zones. Test flow rates totaled more than 7,000 bpd with associated gas.  Test flow rates were limited by tubing sizes and testing equipment.  We hold a 2521 percent non-operatedoutside-operated working interest in the Sarsang block.Diaba License G4-223 and its related permit onshore Gabon.  The Kurdistan Regional Government holds a 4 percent carried interesttransaction closed in both the Atrush and Sarsang blocks.
Libya
Civil unrest, which beganOctober 2012.  The start of exploration drilling is expected in February 2011 in parts of North Africa, escalated to armed conflict in Libya where we have exploration and production operations.  During the first quarter 2011, allof 2013.
During June 2012, we signed a new production operationssharing contract with the government of Equatorial Guinea for the exploration of Block A-12 offshore Bioko Island, located immediately west of our operated Alba Field. We have an 80 percent operated working interest in Libya were suspendedthis block. The contract was ratified by the government in the third quarter of 2012. We also acquired an additional interest in Block D, bringing our working interest to 80 percent.
In May 2012, we executed agreements to relinquish our E&P segment’s operatorship of and participating interests in the Bone Bay and Kumawa exploration licenses in Indonesia.  As a result, we accrued and reported a $36 million loss on disposal of assets in the second quarter of 2012.  Government ratification of the agreements was received during the third quarter of 2012, which released us from our obligations and further commitments related to these licenses, and we are not currently making deliveries of hydrocarbons frompaid the amount accrued. 
In April 2012, we entered agreements to sell our interestAlaska assets.  One transaction closed in the Waha concession in eastern Libya.second quarter of 2012 with proceeds and a net gain of $7 million.  The returnremaining transaction, with a value of $375 million before closing adjustments, is currently under review by the Federal Trade Commission and the Alaska Attorney General's office, which could impact the closing of this transaction.
In January 2012, we closed on the sale of our operationsinterests in Libya to pre-conflict levels is unknown at this time, however, weseveral Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems for proceeds of $206 million.  This includes our equity method interests in Poseidon Oil Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and our partnersOdyssey Pipeline L.L.C., as well as certain other oil pipeline interests, including the Eugene Island pipeline system.  A pretax gain of $166 million was recorded in the Waha concession are assessing the conditionfirst quarter of our assets and when the resumption of operations will be viable.2012.
As of September 30, 2011, our net property, plant and equipment investment in Libya is approximately $758 million and our net proved reserves in Libya were 242 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mmboe”) at December 31, 2010.  Sales from Libya in 2010 averaged 46,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and we are in an underlift position of 847 thousand net barrels of liquid hydrocarbons.
In addition, payments due to the Libyan government or entities affiliated with the Libyan government have been blocked by the U.S. government under a February 25, 2011 executive order.  As of September 30, 2011, such amounts, primarily related to taxes and royalties due on our January and February 2011 sales, totaled approximately $200 million.
Forward-looking Statements
The above discussions include forward-looking statements with respect to the pending acquisitionsexpected production in the Eagle Ford, shale formation,Anadarko Woodford and Bakken plays, timing of first production from the statusBoyla field, anticipated drilling rig and drilling activity, the sale of operationsour Alaska assets, possible increased recoverable resources from optimized well spacing in Libya,the Eagle Ford resource play, the expected closing of an agreement in Ethiopia, anticipated exploration activity in Ethiopia, Gabon, Poland and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the timing of the commencement of construction and levelsfirst oil on the SAGD project. The projected asset dispositions through 2013 are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections and are not guarantees of future production (including initial production rates), anticipated future exploratory drilling activity and the intended shift from operating to a non-operating position in Indonesia.  Some factorsperformance. Factors that could potentially affect these forward-looking statementsthe expected production in the Eagle Ford, Anadarko Woodford and Bakken plays, timing of first production from the Boyla field, exploratory activity in Ethiopia, Gabon, Poland and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, possible increased recoverable resources from optimized well spacing in the Eagle Ford resource play and anticipated drilling rig and drilling activity include pricing, supply and demand for petroleum products, the amount of capital available for explorationliquid hydrocarbons and development, regulatory constraints, timing of commencing production from new wells, drilling rig availability, unforeseen hazards such as weather conditions, acts of war or terrorists acts and the governmental or military response, and other geological, operating and economic considerations. The completion of the acquisitions in the Eagle Ford shale formation is subject to customary closing conditions.  The anticipated shift from operating to a non-operating position in both the Bone Bay and Kumawa PSCs in Indonesia is subject to obtaining necessary government and third-party approvals.  The foregoing factors (among others) could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Outlook
Highlights of our expected future activities include:
·  Reaching ten operated drilling rigs in the Eagle Ford shale by year end, plus adding add a third crew dedicated to hydraulic fracturing in January and a fourth crew in June 2012.  By this time next year we expect to have 17 rigs operating in the Eagle Ford shale.
·  Completing the 27 gross operated wells awaiting completion in the Bakken shale in North Dakota, bringing 33 total wells on production before the end of 2011.
·  
Acquiring seismic data and drilling seven to nine gross wells in the Niobrara shale DJ Basin by yearend.
·  Starting to drill our first well in Poland the fourth quarter of 2011.  By the end of 2012, we plan to drill six to seven wells.
·  Beginning to drill in the fourth quarter of 2011 on our two operated blocks (Harir and Safen) in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
·  Executing a seismic program on our Birchwood oil sand lease in Alberta, Canada during the winter of 2011-2012 to continue our evaluation of the reservoir for insitu production.
·  Reviewing our global asset portfolio with a goal of divesting between $1.5 and $3 billion of non-core assets over the next two to three years, including a potential farm down of a minority interest in our Gulf of Mexico prospects.
·  
Progressing toward a 2012 final investment decision on the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (“”Quest CCS”) project which, as announced in the second quarter of 2011, the governments of Alberta and Canada have agreed to partially fund for 865 million Canadian dollars.  The financing would be done over a period
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       of 15 years, including development, construction and 10 years of operations. However, the funding is subject to conditions of achieving certain performance objectives.
·  Shutdown of the Muskeg River mine in Alberta, Canada for 10 days in October 2011.
·  Projecting fourth quarter 2011 E&P segment production of between 360,000 and 370,000 boepd.
The above discussions include forward-looking statements with respect to future exploratory and development drilling activity, number of anticipated drilling rig activity, potential assets sales, the goal of divesting $1.5 to $3 billion on non-core assets and the Quest CCS project.  Some factors that could potentially affect these forward-looking statements include pricing, supply and demand for petroleum products,natural gas, the amount of capital available for exploration and development, regulatory constraints, timing of commencing production from new wells, drilling rig availability, unforeseen hazards such as weather conditions, acts of war or terrorist acts and the governmental or military response thereto, and other geological, operating and economic considerations. Some factors that could potentially affectThe completion of the sale of $1.5 billionour Alaska assets is subject to $3 billionnecessary government and regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The agreement in non-core assets include changes in pricesEthiopia is subject to government approvals. The timing of commencement of construction and demand for crudefirst oil natural gas and synthetic crude oil, actions of competitors, future financial condition and operating results, and economic, business, competitive and /or regulatory factors affecting our businesses.  The Quest CCSon the SAGD project could alsocan be affected by projected costs and availability of materials and labor, and delays in obtaining orand conditions imposed by necessary government and third-party approvals.approvals, board approval, transportation logistics, availability of materials and labor, unforeseen hazards such as weather conditions, and the other risks associated with construction projects. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations, estimates and projections and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the our control and difficult to predict. The foregoing factors (among others) could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
 Oil Sands Mining
 Our OSM operations consist of a 20 percent non-operated working interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (“AOSP”).  As announced in October 2012, we have engaged in discussions with respect to a potential sale of a portion of our 20 percent interest. Given the uncertainty of such a transaction, potential proceeds have not been included in our previously stated goal of divesting between $1.5 billion and $3 billion between 2011 and 2013.
Our net synthetic crude oil sales were 53 mbbld and 47 mbbld in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to 50 mbbld and 43 mbbld in the same periods of 2011.  The upgrader expansion was completed and commenced operations in the third quarter of 2011 and subsequent periods’ sales volumes have increased as a result. With production capacity at the AOSP

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now at 255,000 gross barrels per day, the focus will be on improving operating efficiencies and adding capacity through debottlenecking.
The Energy and Resources Conservation Board, Alberta’s primary energy regulator, conditionally approved the AOSP’s Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (“Quest CCS”) project in July 2012. The AOSP partners approved Quest CCS in the third quarter of 2012.
 The above discussion contains forward-looking statements with regard to discussions with respect to a potential sale of a portion of our 20 percent interest in the AOSP. The potential sale of a portion of our interest in the AOSP is subject to successful negotiations and execution of definitive agreements. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations, estimates and projections and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict. The foregoing factors (among others) could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Integrated Gas
 LNG and methanol sales from Equatorial Guinea are conducted through equity method investees that purchase dry gas from our E&P assets in Equatorial Guinea.  Our share of LNG sales totaled 7,065 metric tonnes per day (“mtd”) for the third quarter and 6,277 mtd for the first nine months of 2012 compared to 6,935 mtd and 7,121 mtd in the same periods of 2011.  For the first nine months, LNG sales volumes are below the prior year due to a turnaround in the second quarter of 2012 at the facility in Equatorial Guinea, but primarily because the first nine months of 2011 also included LNG sales from Alaska, which ceased when our interest in that production facility was sold in the third quarter of 2011.  
Market Conditions
Exploration and Production
Prevailing prices for the various qualities of crude oil and natural gas that we produce significantly impact our revenues and cash flows.  Prices have been volatile in recent years.  The following table lists the benchmark crude oil and natural gas price averages in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, when2012 compared to the same periods in 2010.2011.
   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
Benchmark  2011  2010  2011  2010 
West Texas Intermediate ("WTI")            
     crude oil(Dollars per barrel) $89.54  $76.21  $95.47  $77.69 
Brent (Europe) crude oil(Dollars per barrel) $113.46  $76.86  $111.93  $77.13 
Henry Hub natural gas
(Dollars per mmbtu)(a)
 $4.19  $4.38  $4.16  $4.59 
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
Benchmark2012 2011 2012 2011
WTI crude oil (Dollars per barrel)
$92.20 $89.54 $96.16 $95.47
Brent (Europe) crude oil (Dollars per barrel)
$109.61 $113.46 $112.17 $111.93
Henry Hub natural gas  (Dollars per million
       
British thermal units  ("mmbtu"))(a)  
$2.81 $4.19 $2.59 $4.16
(a)
Settlement date average.
CrudeAverage WTI crude oil benchmark prices were higher in 2011 than in 2010 for all periods.  Monthly average prices for Dated Brent have been over $100 per barrel since early February 2011.  April 2011 WTI averaged $110.04 per barrel, but prices have been declining to an average of $85.61increased 3 percent in the monththird quarter of September2012 compared to the same quarter of 2011.  Our international crude oil production is relatively sweet and a majority is sold in relation to the Brent crude oil benchmark, which was 3 percent lower in the third quarter of 2012 than the same quarter of 2011. Both crude benchmarks were relatively flat on average when comparing the nine-month periods of 2012 and 2011.
Our domestic crude oil production was about 5935 percent sour in the third quarter and 42 percent sour in the first nine months of 2012 compared to 64 percent and 62 percent in the first nine monthssame periods of 2011.2011.  Reduced production from the Gulf of Mexico and increased onshore production from the Bakken and Eagle Ford shale plays contributed to the lower sour crude percentage in 2012.  Sour crude oil contains more sulfur than light sweet WTI.  Sour crude oil also tends to be heavier than and sells at a discount to light sweet crude oil because of its higher refining costs and lower refined product values.  Our international crude oil production is relatively sweet and a majority is sold in relation to the Dated Brent crude oil benchmark.
Average natural gas prices have been less volatile in the periods presented.  A significant portion of our natural gas production in the lower 48 states of the U.S. is sold at bid-week prices, or first-of-month indices relative to our specific producing areas.  Average Henry Hub settlement prices for natural gas were lower for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to the same periods of the prior year.  A decline in average settlement date Henry Hub natural gas prices began in September 2011 and continued into 2012. Although prices have stabilized recently, they have not increased appreciably.  
Our other major natural gas-producing regions are Europe and Equatorial Guinea, where our naturalGuinea.  Natural gas salesprices in Europe have been and,higher than in the U.S. in recent periods.  In the case of Equatorial Guinea, primarily, stillour natural gas sales are subject to term contracts, making realized prices in these areas less volatile.  The natural gas being soldsales from these regions, primarily Equatorial Guinea isare at fixed prices; therefore, our reported average natural gas realized prices may not fully track market price movements.

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Oil Sands Mining
 
OSM segment revenues correlate with prevailing market prices for the various qualities of synthetic crude oil and vacuum gas oil we produce.  Roughly two-thirds of our normal output mix will track movements in WTI and one-third will track movements in the Canadian heavy sour crude oil market, primarily Western Canadian Select.Select (“WCS”).  In 2012, the WCS discount from WTI has increased, bringing down our average price realizations.  Output mix can be impacted by operational problems or planned unit outages at the minemines or upgrader.
 
The operating cost structure of the oil sands mining operations is predominantly fixed, and therefore many of the costs incurred in times of full operation continue during production downtime.  Perdowntime, making per unit costs are sensitive to production rate.  Key variable costs are natural gas and diesel fuel, which track commodity markets such as the Canadian Alberta Energy Company (“AECO”) natural gas sales index and crude prices respectively.
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The table below shows benchmark prices that impacted both our revenues and variable costs for the third quarter and first nine months of 20112012 and 2010:2011:
   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
Benchmark  2011  2010  2011  2010 
WTI crude oil(Dollars per barrel) $89.54  $76.21  $95.47  $77.69 
Western Canadian Select
(Dollars per barrel)(a)
 $72.14  $60.55  $76.10  $64.72 
AECO natural gas sales                
     index
(Dollars per mmbtu)(b)
 $3.70  $3.44  $3.86  $3.99 
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
Benchmark2012 2011 2012 2011
WTI crude oil (Dollars per barrel)
$92.20 $89.54 $96.16 $95.47
Western Canadian Select (Dollars per barrel)(a)
$70.49 $72.14 $74.21 $76.10
AECO natural gas sales index (Dollars per mmbtu)(b)   
$2.27 $3.70 $2.03 $3.86
(a)
Monthly pricing based upon average WTI adjusted for differentials unique to western Canada.
(b)
Monthly average of Alberta Energy Company (“AECO”)AECO day ahead index.
Integrated Gas
 
Our integrated gas operations include marketing and transportation of products manufactured from natural gas, such as LNG and methanol, primarily in Europe and West Africa.
We have a 60 percent ownership in a production facility in Equatorial Guinea, which sells LNG under a long-term contract at prices tied toprincipally based upon Henry Hub natural gas prices.  In general, LNG delivered to the U.S. is tied to Henry Hub prices and will track with changes in U.S. natural gas prices, while LNG sold in Europe and Asia is indexed to crude oil prices and will track the movement of those prices.
 
We own a 45 percent interest in a methanol plant located in Equatorial Guinea through our investment in Atlantic Methanol Production Company LLC (“AMPCO”).Guinea.  Methanol demand has a direct impact on AMPCO’sthe plant’s earnings.  Because global demand for methanol is rather limited, changes in the supply-demand balance can have a significant impact on sales prices.  AMPCO’sThe plant capacity of 1.1 million tonnes is about 32 percent of total2011 estimated world demand.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Results of Operation
Due to the spin-off of our downstream business on June 30, 2011, which is reported as discontinued operations, income from continuing operations is more representative of Marathon Oil as an independent energy company.  Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes for 2011 was 26 percent higher in the third quarter of 2012 was 33 percent higher than in the same period of 2010, largely2011 primarily due to higher liquid hydrocarbon prices.  This improvement was offset by a 69 percent continuingthe previously discussed resumption of our operations in Libya. The effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 55was 74 percent in the same period last year.  In the third quarter of 2011, Marathon incurred a non-cash charge2012 compared to 69 percent in the third quarter of $227 million for foreign2011, with the increase related to higher income from continuing operations in higher tax credits which we now expect to be unutilized in current or future periods.  A higher production outlook for Norway due to better than expected performance contributed to our generating excess foreign tax credits. jurisdictions, primarily Libya.
In the first nine months of 2011, consolidated Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes in the first nine months of 2012was relatively consistent with40 percent higher than in the same period of 2010.  Higher liquid hydrocarbon prices were offset by lower sales volumes2011 primarily due to increased income in the E&P segment. For the first nine monthsLibya.  As a result of 2011, theincreased income from continuing operations before tax in higher tax jurisdictions, primarily Norway and Libya, the effective tax rate was 72 percent for the first nine months of 2012 compared to 64 percent compared to 55 percent infor the same period last year.of 2011.

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Revenues are summarized by segment in the following table:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
E&P$3,519
 $3,212
 $10,327
 $9,788
OSM470
 427
 1,184
 1,180
IG
 16
 
 93
Segment revenues3,989
 3,655
 11,511
 11,061
Unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments45
 
 45
 
Elimination of intersegment revenues
 (6) 
 (47)
Total revenues$4,034
 $3,649
 $11,556
 $11,014
 
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
E&P $3,212  $2,640  $9,788  $7,712 
OSM  427   196   1,180   567 
IG  16   38   93   98 
                 
    Segment revenues  3,655   2,874   11,061   8,377 
Elimination of intersegment revenues  (6)  (20)  (47)  (49)
    Total revenues $3,649  $2,854  $11,014  $8,328 
E&P segment revenues increased $572$307 million in the third quarter and $2,076$539 million in the first nine months of 20112012 from the comparable prior-year periods.  Revenues in both 2010 periods include the impact of derivative instruments intended to mitigate price risk on future sales of liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas. Net pretax derivative gains of $13 million and $91 million were reported in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010.
Included in our E&P segment are supply optimization activities which include salesthe purchase of crude oil and natural gas purchasedcommodities from partners and nearby producersthird parties for saleresale.  Supply optimization serves to aggregate volumes in order to satisfy transportation commitments and achievingto achieve flexibility inwithin product typetypes and delivery point.  Revenues from thesepoints.  Volumes associated with supply optimization activities are higherhave been decreasing in 2012 due to market dynamics and related commodity prices have also been lower in 2012. See the third quarter
Cost of revenues discussion as revenues from supply optimization approximate the related costs.  
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and first nine months of 2011 than in comparable periods in part due higher crude oil prices in 2011.
Revenues from the sale of our U.S. production are higher in both periodsthe third quarter and first nine months of 2012 primarily as a result of higherincreased liquid hydrocarbon price realizations, but sales volumes have been more variable amongfrom our U.S. shale plays.  Lower liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas realizations partially offset the periods.volume impact.  The following table gives details of net sales and average realizations of our United StatesU.S. operations.
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010  2011  2010 
United States Operating Statistics            
     Net liquid hydrocarbons sales (mbpd)  69   80   73   65 
     Liquid hydrocarbon average realization (per bbl) $88.89  $69.52  $91.53  $69.95 
                 
     Net natural gas sales (mmcfd)  296   363   326   350 
     Natural gas average realization (per mcf) $4.85  $4.43  $5.04  $4.78 
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2012 2011 2012 2011
United States Operating Statistics       
     Net liquid hydrocarbon sales (mbbld) (a)
111
 69
 98
 73
     Liquid hydrocarbon average realizations (per bbl) (b)
$83.80
 $88.89
 $86.98
 $91.53
        
Net natural gas sales (mmcfd)
366
 296
 343
 326
     Natural gas average realizations (per mcf)(b)
$3.61
 $4.85
 $3.73
 $5.04
The Droshky development in the Gulf of Mexico, which commenced production in July 2010, is the primary reason for the higher liquid hydrocarbon(a)Includes crude oil, condensate and natural gas sales volumesliquids.
(b)Excludes gains and losses on derivative instruments
Revenues from our international operations are higher in the nine-month period of 2011, however, its production rates declined rapidly and is also a reason for lower liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas sales volumes in the third quarter of 2011.  In addition to the impact of Droshky on natural gas volumes, sales were lower in the third quarter and first nine months of 20112012 primarily as compareda result of the previously discussed resumption of liquid hydrocarbon sales from Libya.  Higher average liquid hydrocarbon realizations during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 also contributed to the same periods of 2010 because the Powder River Basin field which was sold in the second quarter of 2010 primarily produced natural gas, and mature fields continue a natural decline, while gas demand in Alaska decreased in the third quarter of 2011.revenue increase for both periods.  

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The following table gives details of net sales and average realizations of our international operations.
 Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2011  2010  2011  2010 2012 2011 2012 2011
International Operating Statistics                   
Net liquid hydrocarbon (mbpd)            
Net liquid hydrocarbon sales (mbbld)(a)
       
Europe  108   80   102   92 94
 108
 97
 102
Africa  34   89   44   84 88
 34
 73
 44
Total International  142   169   146   176 182
 142
 170
 146
Liquid hydrocarbon average realizations (per bbl)                
Liquid hydrocarbon average realizations (per bbl)(b)
       
Europe $117.05  $80.49  $115.91  $79.69 $112.34
 $117.05
 $115.73
 $115.91
Africa  63.51   69.24   75.38   69.85 98.65
 63.51
 97.00
 75.38
Total International $104.24�� $74.57  $103.75  $75.00 $105.71
 $104.24
 $107.69
 $103.75
                       
Net natural gas sales (mmcfd)                       
Europe(a)
  79   99   92   104 
Europe(c)
100
 79
 102
 92
Africa  453   442   440   399 485
 453
 434
 440
Total International  532   541   532   503 585
 532
 536
 532
Natural gas average realizations (per mcf)                
Natural gas average realizations (per mcf)(b)
       
Europe $9.81  $7.20  $10.07  $6.42 $10.10
 $9.81
 $10.05
 $10.07
Africa  0.24   0.25   0.24   0.25 0.63
 0.24
 0.39
 0.24
Total International $1.67  $1.52  $1.95  $1.52 $2.25
 $1.67
 $2.23
 $1.95
(a)
(a)
Includes crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids. The amounts correspond with the basis for fiscal settlements with governments, representing equity tanker liftings and direct deliveries of liquid hydrocarbons.
(b)
Excludes gains and losses on derivative instruments.
(c)
Includes natural gas acquired for injection and subsequent resale of 18 mmcfd and 16 mmcfd for the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, and 16 mmcfd and 15 mmcfd for the third quarters of 2011 and 2010, and 15 mmcfd and 19 mmcfd for the first nine months of 20112012 and 2010.2011.
Compared to 2010, international liquid hydrocarbon sales volumes for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 are lower due to the temporary cessation of production from Libya in February 2011.  Partially offsetting the impact of Libya in both periods, were higher liquid hydrocarbon sales from Europe primarily due to the timing of liftings and from Equatorial Guinea where a turnaround occurred in the first four months of 2010.   Natural gas sales volumes from Equatorial Guinea were likewise higher in the 2011 periods due to this turnaround, while natural gas sales volumes from Europe were down primarily related to planned turnarounds and normal production declines in the U.K.
OSM segment revenues revenues increased $231$43 million in the third quarter and $613$4 million in the first nine months of 20112012 compared to the same periods of 2010.2011. The impact of derivative instruments intended to mitigate price risk relative to future sales of synthetic crude were losses of $8 million and gains of $34 million the third quarter and first nine months of 2010. All derivative positions closed in December 2010.  See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information about derivative instruments.
28
Excluding the derivative effects, segment revenues increased in both periods of 2011 due to higher synthetic crude oil realizations and volumes as shown on the table below.
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010  2011  2010 
OSM Operating Statistics            
    Net synthetic crude sales (mbpd)  50   31   43   25 
    Synthetic crude average realization (per bbl) $87.29  $67.83  $90.91  $69.07 
The 2011 sales volumes improved as a result of the Jackpine mine, which commenced operations in late 2010, and the upgrader expansion was completed and commenced operations in the secondthird quarter of 2011.  Sales2011, resulting in higher sales volumes in 2010 were impacted by a turnaround that commenced on March 22, 2010 that caused productionboth periods.  However, an increase in the discount of WCS to be completely shut downWTI resulted in April, with a staged resumptionthe decreases in May 2010.average realizations during the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, partially offsetting the positive volume variance.  
The following table gives details of net sales and average realizations of our OSM operations.
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2012 2011 2012 2011
OSM Operating Statistics       
    Net synthetic crude oil sales (mbbld) (a)
53
 50
 47
 43
Synthetic crude oil average realizations (per bbl)
$81.13
 $87.29
 $83.58
 $90.91
(a)
Includes blendstocks.
IG segment revenues revenues decreased $22$16 millionin the third quarter and $5$93 million in the first nine months of 20112012 compared to the same periods of 2010.2011.  Sales of LNG from our Alaska operations declined throughout ceased in the third quarter of 2011 as when we planned to shut down the LNGsold our interest in this production facility.
Unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments is included in total revenues but not segment revenues. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, sales from2012, the LNG facility ceased completely because we soldnet unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments was $45 million and there was no comparable derivative activity in similar periods of 2011. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements and Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for additional information about our equity interest in the facility.derivative positions.
 
Income from equity method investments increased $46decreased $100 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $115 million in the first nine months of 20112012 from the comparable prior-year periods.  Higher commodityperiod, primarily due to lower natural gas prices positively impacted the earnings ofand turnarounds early in 2012 at our facilities in Equatorial Guinea.  Also, in January 2012, we sold our equity method investees.investments in several Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipelines.

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Net gain (loss) on disposal of assets in the third quarter of 20112012 primarily relates to salesreflects an $18 million loss on the sale of assets in Alaska, includingundeveloped acreage outside the LNG facility sale previously discussed.  Netcore of the Eagle Ford shale resource play. The net gain on disposal of assets in the first nine months of 2011 also includes a gain2012 consists primarily of $37 million from assigning a 30 percent undivided working interest in the Niobrara Shale play, where we remain operator.  The gain in the first nine months of 2010 primarily related to the $811$166 million gain on the sale of a 20 percent outside-operated undivided interestour interests in several Gulf of Mexico crude oil pipeline systems, reduced by the $36 million loss on the assignment of our E&P segment’s Production SharingBone Bay and Joint Operating AgreementKumawa exploration licenses in Block 32 offshore Angola.Indonesia and the $18 million loss on the Eagle Ford acreage.  See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for information about these dispositions.
Cost of revenues increased $493decreased $304 million and $1,287$666 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 20112012 from the comparable periods of 20102011 primarily due to our supply optimization activities.  WTIVolumes associated with supply optimization have been decreasing in 2012 due to market dynamics and related commodity prices have also been lower in 2012. Comparatively, costs related to supply optimization were lower by $438 million for the third quarter and by $677 million for the first nine months of 2012.   Excluding the impact of supply optimization activities, E&P segment operating expenses have increased 17 percent forin proportion to our increased production from U.S. shale plays. Additionally, Integrated Gas segment costs are lower in 2012 due to the sale of our interest in the Alaska LNG facility in the third quarter and 23 percent in the first nine months of 2011.
 
OSM segment costs increased in total for the third quarter primarily because the Jackpine mine and upgrader expansion operated for the first full quarter.  Although gross costs are up due to the increased volumes handled by the expansion, per barrel costs have been declining in comparison with 2010.  OSM segment costs also increased in the first nine months of 2011 when compared to the same periods of 2010 due the expansion’s operation start-up costs.  These increases were partially offset by no turnaround costs in 2011.  We incurred $99 million in the first nine months of 2010 associated with the turnaround.  Additionally, estimated net costs of $64 million were recorded in the second quarter of 2011 to address water flow in a previously mined and contained area of the Muskeg River mine.
Purchases from related parties increased $52 million in first nine months of 2011  compared to the same periods of 2010.  Our most significant related party purchases are from the Alba gas plant in Equatorial Guinea in which we own an equity interest.  Higher liquid hydrocarbon prices in 2011 increased the value of those purchases.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(“DD&A”) decreased $13increased $108 million in the third quarter and increased $340$63 million in the first nine months of 20112012 from the comparable prior-year periods.  Because both our E&P and OSM segments apply the units-of-production method to the majority of their assets, the previously discussed increases or decreases in sales volumes generally result in similar changes in DD&A.  Decreased DD&A in the third quarter reflects the impact of lower E&P segment sales volumes, partially offset by increases in the OSM segment. For the nine-month period, DD&A increased in both the OSM and E&P segments, despite lower sales volumes in the E&P segment. The DD&A rate (expense per barrel of oil equivalent), which is impacted by changes in reserves and capitalized costs, can also cause changes in our DD&A.  A higherLower U.S. and International E&P DD&A rate per barrel relatedrates in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to our domestic E&P operationsthe same periods in 2011 partially offset the impact of lowerhigher sales volumes.volumes in those periods.  Also, there was no depletion of our Alaska assets in the second and third quarters of 2012 because they are held for sale.  The following table provides DD&A rates for our E&P and OSM segments.
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010  2011  2010 
DD&A rate ($ per boe)            
E&P Segment            
     United States $24  $21  $26  $18 
     International $10  $9  $10  $9 
OSM Segment $18  $15  $17  $15 

29
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ per boe)2012 2011 2012 2011
DD&A rate 
  
  
  
E&P Segment   
  
  
United States$23
 $24
 $23
 $26
International8
 10
 9
 10
OSM Segment$6
 $6
 $6
 $6
 
Impairments in the first nine months of 20112012 related primarily to ourthe Ozona development in the Gulf of Mexico.  Impairments in the first nine months of 2011 related primarily to the Droshky development in the Gulf of Mexico for $273 million and an intangible asset for aan LNG delivery contract at Elba Island.  In 2010, impairments were primarily related to the Powder River Basin in the amount of $423 million.  See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for information about these impairments.
General and administrative expenses increased $43$35 million in the third quarter and $18 million in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 primarily due to additional compensation expense.  The first nine months of 2011 also includes higher costs of stock awards due to increased stock price of Marathon before the spin-off.
2012Other taxes increased $15 million and $25 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared to the same periods in 2011.  The third quarter of 2010.  With2012 includes pension settlement expense of $34 million. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for information about the pension settlement. The cost increase for the nine-month period of 2012 is lower because 2011 included higher incentive compensation expense due to the increase in revenues, particularly relatedMarathon’s stock price in the period leading up to higher prices, production and ad valorem taxes also increased.the spin-off. 
Exploration expenses were higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 20112012 than in the same periodsquarter of 2010,2011, primarily due to larger unproved property impairments. The third quarter of 2012 included $51 million related to unproved property impairments associated with approximately 100,000 net non-core acres in the Eagle Ford shale. Exploration expenses were lower in the first nine months of 2012 than in the previous year, primarily due to dry wells in the Gulf of Mexico, Norway and Indonesia in 2011 compared to one dry Gulf of Mexico well plus various U.S. onshore dry wells in 2012; however, higher dry well costs.  Dry wellunproved property impairments in the Marcellus shale, Eagle Ford shale and Indonesia in 2012 partially offset this decrease. Geological and geophysical (“G&G”) costs increased in the nine months of 2012 primarily related to activity in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the seismic survey on our Birchwood oil sands in-situ lease.  

29



The following table summarizes the components of exploration expenses.
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
Unproved property impairments$79
 $16
 $149
 $59
Dry well costs35
 31
 138
 252
G&G24
 39
 94
 67
Other38
 43
 110
 126
Total exploration expenses$176
 $129
 $491
 $504
Net interest and otherincreased $23 million and $98 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 from the comparable periods of 2011. Foreign currency gains were lower in the third quarter of 2011 included the final costs of the Earb well in Norway which was deemed dry2012 than in the secondsame quarter of 2011 and some domestic onshore wells, while dry well costs for the third quarter2011. In addition, capitalized interest has been lower in both periods of 2010 were minimal.  Dry wells related to Norway, Indonesia and the Gulf of Mexico for the first nine months of 2011 and to the Gulf of Mexico, Equatorial Guinea and Alaska in the first nine months of 2010.  Geologic and seismic costs have increased in 2011 primarily related to the U.S. shale plays and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.  The following table summaries these components of exploration expenses.2012.
 
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Dry well and unproved property impairment $47  $11  $311  $122 
Geological, geophysical, seismic  39   12   67   62 
Other  43   36   126   98 
     Total exploration expense $129  $59  $504  $282 
Loss on early extinguishment of debtrelates to debt retirements in February and March of 2011 and in April of 2010.2011.  See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of these transactions.
Provision for income taxes increased $331$381 million and $293$1,180 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 20112012 from the comparable periods of 2010.
The following is an analysis2011 primarily due to the increase in pretax income in high tax rate jurisdictions, including the impact of the effective income tax rates for the first nine monthspreviously discussed resumption of 2011 and 2010:
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2011  2010 
Statutory U.S. income tax rate  35%  35%
Effects of foreign operations, including foreign tax credits  7   19 
Change in permanent reinvestment assertion  7   - 
Adjustments to valuation allowances  11   - 
Tax law changes  2   2 
Other tax effects  2   (1)
        Effective income tax rate for continuing operations  64%  55%
As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, we suspended production operationssales in Libya in the first quarter of 2011, where the statutory2012.
The effective income tax rate is in excess of 90 percent.  As a result, the effects of foreign operations on our effective tax rate decreased in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period of 2010. This decrease was partially offset by a deferred tax charge of $122 million related to an internal restructuring of our international subsidiaries in the second quarter of 2011.
The ability to realize the benefit of foreign tax credits is based on certain estimates concerning future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing liquid hydrocarbon, natural gas and synthetic crude oil prices), future financial conditions, income generated from foreign sources and Marathon Oil's tax profile in the years that such credits may be claimed.  During the third quarter of 2011 these estimates were revised.  The valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets has increased because it is more likely than not that we will be unable to realize all foreign tax credit benefits recorded on taxes being accrued in 2011.
In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded $716 million of deferred U.S. tax on undistributed earnings of $2,046 million that we previously intended to permanently reinvest in foreign operations. Offsetting this tax expense were associated foreign tax credits of $488 million. In addition, we reduced our valuation allowance related to foreign tax credits by $228 million due to recognizing deferred U.S. tax on previously undistributed earnings. 
30
In the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a valuation allowance of $18 million on our deferred tax assets related to state operating loss carryforwards.  Due to the spin-off (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements), we have determined it is more likely than not that we will be unable to realize all recorded deferred tax assets. 
The effective tax rate is also influenced by a variety of factors including the geographicalgeographic and functional sources of income and the relative magnitude of these sources of income, foreign currency remeasurement effects, and tax legislation changes. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of items impacting our effective tax rate.
income.  The provision for income taxes is allocated on a discrete, stand-alone basis to pretax segment income and to individual items not allocated to segments.  The difference between the total provision and the sum of the amounts allocated to segments and to individual items not allocated to segments is reported in corporate“Corporate and other unallocated items.items” in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Our effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2012 was 72 percent.   This rate is higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to earnings from foreign jurisdictions, primarily Norway and Libya, where the tax rates are in excess of the U.S. statutory rate.  An increase in earnings and associated taxes from foreign jurisdictions, primarily Norway, as compared to prior periods caused an increase in our valuation allowance on current year foreign tax credits.  In Libya, where the statutory tax rate is in excess of 90 percent, limited production resumed in the fourth quarter of 2011 and liquid hydrocarbon sales resumed in the first quarter of 2012.  A reliable estimate of 2012 annual ordinary income from our Libyan operations cannot be made and the range of possible scenarios when including ordinary income from our Libyan operations in the worldwide annual effective tax rate calculation demonstrates significant variability.  As such, for the first nine months of 2012, an estimated annual effective tax rate was calculated excluding Libya and applied to consolidated ordinary income excluding Libya and the tax provision applicable to Libyan ordinary income was recorded as a discrete item in the period.  Excluding Libya, the effective tax rate would be 64 percent for the first nine months of 2012.
Our effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2011 was 64 percent which is higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35 percent primarily due to earnings from foreign jurisdictions where the tax rates are in excess of the U.S. statutory rate and the valuation allowance recorded against 2011 foreign tax credits.  In addition, in the second quarter of 2011, we recorded a deferred tax charge related to an internal restructuring of our international subsidiaries.
 
Discontinued operations reflect the June 30, 2011 spin-off of our downstream businessesbusiness and the historical results of those operations, net of tax, for all periods presented.

30



 Segment Results
 
Segment Results
Segment income (loss) is summarized in the following table:table.
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
E&P 
  
  
  
United States$110
 $81
 $289
 $237
International376
 249
 1,091
 1,362
E&P segment486
 330
 1,380
 1,599
OSM65
 92
 157
 193
IG39
 55
 56
 158
Segment income590
 477
 1,593
 1,950
Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes: 
  
  
  
Corporate and other unallocated items(158) (56) (267) (209)
Unrealized gain on crude oil derivative instruments29
 
 29
 
Gain (loss) on dispositions(11) (1) 72
 23
Impairments
 
 (167) (195)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
 
 (176)
Tax effect of subsidiary restructuring
 
 
 (122)
Deferred income tax items
 (15) 
 (65)
Water abatement - Oil Sands
 
 
 (48)
Income from continuing operations450
 405
 1,260
 1,158
Discontinued operations
 
 
 1,239
Net income$450
 $405
 $1,260
 $2,397
 
  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
E&P            
    United States $81  $99  $237  $233 
    International  249   411   1,362   1,211 
            E&P segment  330   510   1,599   1,444 
                 
OSM  92   18   193   (59)
IG  55   41   158   109 
                 
            Segment income  477   569   1,950   1,494 
Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes:                
     Corporate and other unallocated items  (79)  (50)  (215)  (130)
     Foreign currency remeasurement of income taxes  23   (37)  6   33 
     Impairments  -   (15)  (195)  (286)
     Loss on early extinguishment of debt  -   -   (176)  (57)
     Tax effect of subsidiary restructuring  -   -   (122)  - 
     Deferred income tax items  (15)  -   (65)  (45)
     Water abatement - Oil Sands  -   -   (48)  - 
     Gain on dispositions  (1)  -   23   449 
         Income from continuing operations  405   467   1,158   1,458 
         Discontinued operations  -   229   1,239   404 
Net income $405  $696  $2,397  $1,862 
United States E&P income decreased $18increased $29 million in the third quarter and increased $4$52 million in the first nine months of 20112012 compared to the same periods of 2010.2011. The income decreaseincrease in both the third quarter of 2011periods was primarily the result of lowerhigher liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas sales volumes increased production costs and exploration expenses,as previously discussed, partially offset by higher liquid hydrocarbon realizations.  For the nine-month period, the increase inlower liquid hydrocarbon realizations and sales volumes were partially offset bythe impact of increased production operations on DD&A production costs,and operating expenses. In addition, exploration expenses and lower derivative revenue.were higher primarily due to higher unproved property impairments.  
 
International E&P income decreased $162increased $127 million in the third quarter and increased $151decreased $271 million in the first nine months of 20112012 compared to the same periods of 2010.2011.  Segment income, before taxes, increased in both periods primarily due to 40 percent and 38 percentthe previously discussed higher liquid hydrocarbon price realizations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. Decreased sales volumes as previously discussed,and realizations, partially offset the benefit of higher realizations, but higher income taxes had the most significant impact on decreasing segment income.by increased operating costs. As previously discussed, increased income before tax in higher tax jurisdictions resulted in a higher effective tax rate in the third quarterfirst nine months of 2011, a valuation allowance was recorded on our deferred tax assets, as it is more likely than not we will be unable2012 compared to realize all foreign tax credit benefits recorded on taxes accrued in 2011.the same period of 2011
 
OSM segment income increased $74decreased $27 million and $252$36 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011.2012.  As previously discussed, higher sales volumes andlower synthetic crude oil price realizations in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2011 were the primary reasonsreason for the increasedecrease in income.  This was partially offset by increaseddecreased costs on a per unit basis and higher DD&A.sales volumes.
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IG segment income increased $14decreased $16 million and $49$102 million in the third quarter of 2011 and first nine months of 20112012 compared to the same periods of 2010.  Third quarter 2011 income also includes primarily due to lower natural gas prices and turnarounds early in 2012 at our facilities in Equatorial Guinea. In addition, LNG sales volumes are lower in the gain onfirst nine months of 2012 due to the sale of our interest in the Alaska LNG production facility.  In Equatorial Guinea, higher third quarter earnings from our equity method investment in Atlantic Methanol Production Company were due to higher methanol sales volumes and realizations.  The LNG facility in Equatorial Guinea had operational availability of 97 percent for the third quarter of 2010, but realized prices were below 2010 levels.2011.
Critical Accounting Estimates
There have been no changes to our critical accounting estimates subsequent to December 31, 2011.

31



Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Cash Flows and Liquidity
 Cash Flows
 
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by continuing operations totaled $4,400was $2,812 million in the first nine months of 2011,2012, compared to $3,099$4,400 million in the first nine months of 20102011 primarily reflecting primarily the impact of higherlower U.S. liquid hydrocarbon and natural gas prices on operating income.income and higher cash tax payments. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements for amounts of the cash tax payments.
 
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $2,611$4,031 million in the first nine months of 2011,2012, compared to $2,256$2,118 million related to continuing operations in the first nine months of 2010.2011.  Significant investing activities are additions to property, plant and equipment and disposal of assets.  In the first nine months of 2011,2012, most of the additions were in the E&P segment with continued spending on U.S. unconventional resource plays, particularly the Eagle Ford shale. This compares to additions in the first nine months of 2011 which also included spending on U.S. unconventional resource plays, though at a lower level, and drilling in Norway, Indonesia and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.  This compares to spending in the first nine monthsRegion of 2010 which was more focused upon the U.S., particularly the Gulf of Mexico.  Spending has slowed compared to 2010 in our OSM segment as the upgrader portion of AOSP Expansion 1 was completed and commenced operations in the second quarter 2011.Iraq.  In the first nine months of 2010, the majority of sales proceeds were from the sale of a portion of our interest in Block 32 offshore Angola.2012, expenditures for acquisitions totaled $806 million primarily related to acquiring additional Eagle Ford shale properties. Deposits totaling $120 million were paid in the first nine months of 2011 related to the Eagle Ford shale acreage acquisitions.acquisitions that closed later that year.
 For further information regarding capital expenditures by segment, see Supplemental Statistics.
 
Net cash used inprovided by financing activities was $2,182$1,385 million in the first nine months of 2011,2012, compared to $1,146net cash used in financing activities related to continuing operations of $5,098 million in the first nine months of 2010.2011.  During the first nine months of 2012, we drew a net $1,839 million under our commercial paper program, retired $23 million principal amount of debt before it was due and repaid $88 million of debt upon its maturity.  During the first nine months of 2011, we retired $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our debt before it was due and distributed $1.6 billion to Marathon Petroleum Corporation in connection with the spin-off of the downstream business.  Dividends paid were a significant use of cash in both periods.  During the first quarter of 2011, we retired $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our debt.  In the first nine months of 2010, we retired $500 million aggregate principal value of debt.  In connection with the spin-off, we distributed $1.6 billion to MPC in the second quarter of 2011.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our main sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, internally generated cash flow from operations, the issuance of notes, our $3.0 billion committed revolving credit facility, and sales of non-corenon-strategic assets.   Our working capital requirements are supported by these sources and we may issue commercial paper backed by our $2.5 billion revolving credit facility to meet short-term cash requirements.  We issued $10.4 billion and repaid $8.6 billion of commercial paper in the first nine months of 2012 leaving a balance of $1.8 billion outstanding at September 30, 2012.  After September 30, 2012, we continued to utilize our sources of liquidity, including additional issuances of commercial paper and notes as discussed below, to fund working capital requirements.  Because of the alternatives available to us including internally generated cash flowas discussed above and access to capital markets, we believe that our short-term and long-term liquidity is adequate to fund not only our current operations, but also our near-term and long-term funding requirements including our capital spending programs, dividend payments, defined benefit plan contributions, repayment of debt maturities, share repurchase program, and other amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with contingencies.
 
Capital Resources
At September 30, 2011,2012, we had no borrowings against our revolving credit facility, described below, and no$1.8 billion in commercial paper outstanding under our U.S. commercial paper program that is backed by the revolving credit facility.
On October 29, 2012, we issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes bearing interest at 0.9 percent with a maturity date of November 1, 2015 and $1 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes bearing interest at 2.8 percent with a maturity date of November 1, 2022. Interest on the senior notes is payable semi-annually beginning May 1, 2013. The proceeds are being used to pay off commercial paper and for general corporate purposes.
 In April 2012, we terminated our $3.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility and replaced it with a new $2.5 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”).  The Credit Facility matures in April 2017 but allows us to request two one-year extensions.   It contains an option to increase the commitment amount by up to an additional $1.0 billion, subject to the consent of any increasing lenders, and includes sub-facilities for swing-line loans and letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $100 million and $500 million, respectively.  Fees on the unused commitment of each lender range from 10 basis points to 25 basis points per year depending on our credit ratings.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at either (a) an adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin ranging from 87.5 basis points to 162.5 basis points per year depending on our credit ratings or (b) the Base Rate plus a margin ranging from 0.0 basis points to 62.5 basis points depending on our credit ratings.  Base Rate is defined as a per annum rate equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent and (c) LIBOR for a one-month interest period plus 1 percent.
 The agreement contains a covenant that requires our ratio of total debt to total capitalization not to exceed 65 percent as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.  If an event of default occurs, the lenders may terminate the commitments under the Credit Facility and require the immediate repayment of all outstanding borrowings and the cash collateralization of all outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility.

32



We have a universal shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under which we, as a well-known seasoned issuer, have the ability to issue and sell an indeterminate amount of various types of debt and equity securities.
Our cash-adjusted debt-to-capital ratio (total debt-minus-cash to total debt-plus-equity-minus-cash) was 225 percent at September 30, 2012, compared to 20 percent at September 30, 2011, compared to 14 percent at December 31, 2010.  This cash-adjusted debt-to-capital ratio will increase in the fourth quarter of 2011 upon completion of the Eagle Ford shale acreage and gathering system acquisitions. This includes $217 million of debt that is serviced by United States Steel Corporation (“United States Steel”).  United States Steel has issued calls for the fourth quarter of 2011 on the environmental revenue bonds. 
 September 30, December 31,
(In millions)2012 2011
Commercial paper$1,839
 $
Long-term debt due within one year183
 141
Long-term debt4,518
 4,674
Total debt6,540
 4,815
Cash671
 493
Equity$18,064
 $17,159
Calculation: 
  
Total debt$6,540
 $4,815
Minus cash671
 493
Total debt minus cash5,869
 4,322
Total debt6,540
 4,815
Plus equity18,064
 17,159
Minus cash671
 493
Total debt plus equity minus cash$23,933
 $21,481
Cash-adjusted debt-to-capital ratio25% 20%
 
32
  September 30,  December 31, 
(In millions) 2011  2010 
    Long-term debt due within one year $338  $295 
    Long-term debt  4,705   7,601 
         
            Total debt $5,043  $7,896 
         
    Cash $4,633  $3,951 
    Equity $16,756  $23,771 
         
    Calculation:        
         
    Total debt $5,043  $7,896 
    Minus cash  4,633   3,951 
         
            Total debt minus cash $410  $3,945 
         
    Total debt  5,043   7,896 
    Plus equity  16,756   23,771 
    Minus cash  4,633   3,951 
         
            Total debt plus equity minus cash $17,166  $27,716 
         
    Cash-adjusted debt-to-capital ratio  2%  14%
         
Capital Requirements
During the fourth quarter of 2011, we are closing the Eagle Ford shale acreage and gathering system acquisitions for approximately $4.5 billion, including projected closing adjustments and future carrying costs.  The acquisitions will be funded largely from existing cash balances.
On October 26, 2011,31, 2012, our Board of Directors approved a dividend of 1517 cents per share for the third quarter of 2011,2012, payable December 12, 201110, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2011.21, 2012.
In October and early November 2012, we paid $264 million for closed acquisition transactions.
Since January 2006,In the first quarter of 2012, we increased our Board2012 capital, investment and exploration budget, excluding acquisition costs, from $4.8 billion to $5.0 billion, of Directors has authorized a common share repurchase program totaling $5 billion.  As of September 30, 2011, we had repurchased 78 million common shares at a cost of $3,222 million, with 12 million shares at a cost of $300 millionwhich $4.6 billion will be used for capital expenditures.  The increase reflects development plans for the additional acreage acquired in the third quarter of 2011.  Purchases under the program may be in either open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately negotiated transactions.  This program may be changed based upon our financial condition or changes in market conditionsEagle Ford shale and is subject to termination prior to completion.  The program’s authorization does not include specific price targets or timetables.  The timing of purchases under the program will be influenced by cash generated from operations, proceeds from potential asset sales, cash from available borrowings and market conditions.other adjustments.
 
Our opinions concerning liquidity and our ability to avail ourselves in the future of the financing options mentioned in the above forward-looking statements are based on currently available information. If this information proves to be inaccurate, future availability of financing may be adversely affected. Estimates may differ from actual results.  Factors that affect the availability of financing include our performance (as measured by various factors including cash provided from operating activities), the state of worldwide debt and equity markets, investor perceptions and expectations of past and future performance, the global financial climate, and, in particular, with respect to borrowings, the levels of our outstanding debt and credit ratings by rating agencies.  The completion of the agreements to purchase assets in the Eagle Ford shale formation is subject to customary closing conditions.  Theabove discussions also contain forward-looking statements about our common stock repurchase program are based on current expectations, estimates2012 capital, investment and projections and are not guarantees of future performance.exploration budget.  Actual results may differ materially from these expectations, estimates and projections and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict.  Some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are changes in prices of and demand for crude oil,liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas, actions of competitors, disruptions or interruptions of our production and mining operations due to unforeseen hazards such as weather conditions, acts of war or terrorist acts and the governmental or military response thereto, and other operating and economic considerations.

33



Contractual Cash Obligations
The table below provides aggregated information on our consolidated contractual cash obligations to make future payments under existing contracts as of September 30, 2011:2012.
    2012-   2014-  Later 
(In millions) Total  2011   2013   2015  Years 
Long-term debt (excludes interest)(a)
 $5,035  $232  $346  $137  $4,320 
Sale-leaseback financing                    
Capital lease obligations(a)
  50   -   23   2   25 
Operating lease obligations(a)
  261   15   75   57   114 
Operating lease obligations under sublease(a)
                    
Purchase obligations:                    
Crude oil and feedstock contracts  76   10   62   3   1 
Transportation and related contracts  1,198   97   222   153   726 
Contracts to acquire property, plant and equipment  2,641   347   617   568   1,109 
LNG terminal operating costs(b)
  123   3   26   26   68 
Service and materials contracts(c)
  890   62   308   122   398 
Unconditional purchase obligations(d)
  40   8   16   16   - 
Commitments for oil and gas exploration                    
     (non-capital)(e)
  37   27   4   1   5 
Other long-term liabilities reported                    
   in the consolidated balance sheet(f)
  2,800   233   863   717   987 
Total contractual cash obligations(g)
 $13,151  $1,034  $2,562  $1,802  $7,753 
     2013- 2015- Later
(In millions)Total 2012 2014 2016 Years
Short and long-term debt (excludes interest)$6,504
 $1,874
 $250
 $69
 $4,311
Lease obligations281
 39
 80
 65
 97
Purchase obligations: 
  
  
  
  
Oil and gas activities(a)
993
 351
 505
 59
 78
Service and materials contracts(b)
909
 45
 227
 131
 506
Transportation and related contracts1,301
 63
 317
 190
 731
Drilling rigs and fracturing crews894
 139
 730
 25
 
Other234
 57
 93
 27
 57
Total purchase obligations4,331
 655
 1,872
 432
 1,372
Other long-term liabilities reported 
  
  
  
  
   in the consolidated balance sheet(c)
1,122
 174
 272
 253
 423
Total contractual cash obligations(d)
$12,238
 $2,742
 $2,474
 $819
 $6,203
(a)Includes debt
(a)
Oil and lease obligations assumed by United States Steel upon the USX Separation.gas activities include contracts to acquire property, plant and equipment and commitments for oil and gas exploration such as costs related to contractually obligated exploratory work programs that are expensed immediately.
(b)We have the right to deliver 58 bcf of natural gas per year to the Elba Island LNG re-gasification terminal.  The agreement’s primary term ends in 2021.  Pursuant to this agreement, we are also committed to pay for a portion of the operating costs of the terminal.
(c)
(b)
Service and materials contracts include contracts to purchase services such as utilities, supplies and various other maintenance and operating services.
(d)We are party to a long-term transportation services agreement with Alliance Pipeline.  This agreement was used by Alliance Pipeline to secure its financing.
(e)Commitments for oil and gas exploration (non-capital) include estimated costs related to contractually obligated exploratory work programs that are expensed immediately, such as geological and geophysical costs.
(c)
(f)Primarily includes obligations for pension and other postretirement benefits including medical and life insurance, which we have estimated through 2019.2021.  Also includes amounts for uncertain tax positions.
(g)
(d)
This table does not include the estimated discounted liability for dismantlement, abandonment and restoration costs of oil and gas properties.properties of $1,516 million.
Receivable from United States Steel
We remain obligated (primarily or contingently) for $221 million of certain debt and other financial arrangements for which United States Steel has assumed responsibility for repayment (see the USX Separation in Item 1. of our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K).  United States Steel has issued calls on the environmental revenue bonds the fourth quarter of 2011.   United States Steel reported in its Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2011 that it believes that its liquidity will be adequate to satisfy its obligations for the foreseeable future.

Environmental Matters
 
We have incurred and will continue to incur substantial capital, operating and maintenance, and remediation expenditures as a result of environmental laws and regulations.  If these expenditures, as with all costs, are not ultimately reflected in the prices of our products and services, our operating results will be adversely affected.  We believe that substantially all of our competitors must comply with similar environmental laws and regulations.  However, the specific impact on each competitor may vary depending on a number of factors, including the age and location of its operating facilities, marketing areas and production processes.
 
In August 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) published proposed New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) that will both amend existing NSPS and NESHAP standards for oil and gas facilities as well as create a new NSPS for oil and gas production, transmission and distribution facilities.  If the proposed rules are finalized without substantial modification, compliance
34

with the rules will result in an increase in costs of control, equipment, and labor, and require additional notification, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping.  The U.S. EPA is required to finalize the rule by April of 2012.
In July 2011, the U.S. EPA finalized a Federal Implementation Plan under the Clean Air Act (“CAA”) that includes New Source Review (“NSR”) regulations which apply to air emissions sources on Tribal Lands.  This rule became effective on August 30, 2011, and requires the registration and/or pre-construction permitting of most of our facilities on Tribal Lands in Wyoming, Oklahoma, and North Dakota.  With respect to these facilities, the U.S. EPA has determined that pre-construction permitting is required under the new rules.  We do not agree with this assessment and are continuing to work with the U.S. EPA to resolve.  However, to minimize pre-construction delays in the near term, we entered into an Administrative Compliance and Consent Agreement (“Agreement”) that temporarily suspended the requirement for pre-construction permits for facilities on Tribal Lands in North Dakota as long as permit applications were filed in accordance with the Agreement (discussed further in Legal Proceedings).  We cannot reasonably estimate the final financial impact of these new permitting requirements until the U.S. EPA finalizes its internal permitting procedures and expected challenges to the new NSR regulations are resolved.
There have been no other significant changes to our environmental matters subsequent to December 31, 2010.2011.
Other Contingencies
We are defendant in a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, royalty claims, contract claims and environmental claims.  While the ultimate outcome and impact to us cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  flows.  
 
DuringLitigationIn March 2011, Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC (“Noble”) filed a lawsuit against us in the second quarterDistrict Court of 2011, the AOSP operator determined the need and developed preliminary plans to address water flow into a previously mined and contained sectionHarris County, Texas alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of the Muskeg River mine.  Our shareduty of the estimated costsgood faith and fair dealing, and negligent misrepresentation, relating to a multi-year drilling contract for a newly constructed drilling rig to be deployed in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.  We filed an answer in April 2011, contending, among other things, failure to perform, failure to comply with material obligations, failure to mitigate alleged damages and that Noble failed to provide the rig according to the operating, performance and safety requirements specified in the drilling contract.  Noble is seeking an unspecified amount of $64 million was recorded to cost of revenues.  At September 30, 2011, the remaining liability is $56 million.
Critical Accounting Estimates
damages.  We are vigorously defending this litigation.  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions used.
Certain accounting estimates are considered to be critical if (1) the nature of the estimates and assumptions is material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change; and (2) the impact of the estimates and assumptions on financial condition or operating performance is material.
There have been no changes to our critical accounting estimates related to continuing operations subsequent to December 31, 2010.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended accounting standards to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment.  The amendments reduce complexity by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation of whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.  The amendment is effective for our interim and annual periods beginning with the first quarter of 2012.  Early adopting is permitted, but we were unable to do so because our annual goodwill impairment testing was completed prior to the issuance of the amendment.  Adoptionultimate outcome of this amendment will not have a significant impactlawsuit, including any financial effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
The FASB amended the reporting standards for comprehensive income in June 2011 to eliminate the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  All non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity are required to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In the two statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income, and the total of comprehensive income.  The presentation of items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net on the income statement is also required.  The amendments did not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income.  The amendments are effective for us, beginning with the first quarter of 2012.  We are still evaluating this reporting
35

standard, but we do not expect adoption of this amendment to have an impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
In May 2011, the FASB issued an update amending the accounting standards for fair value measurement and disclosure, resulting in common principles and requirements under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The amendments change the wording used to describe certain of the U.S. GAAP requirements either to clarify the intent of existing requirements, to change measurement or expand disclosure principles or to conform to the wording used in IFRS.  The amendments are to be applied prospectively and will be effective for our interim and annual periods beginning with the first quarter of 2012.  Early application is not permitted.remains uncertain.  We do not expect adoptionbelieve an estimate of these amendments to have a significant impact on our consolidated resultsreasonably probable loss (or range of operations, financial position or cash flows.loss) can be made for this lawsuit at this time.

34




Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk
For a detailed discussion of our risk management strategies and our derivative instruments, see Item 7A7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
In August 2012, we entered crude oil derivatives related to a portion of our forecast U.S. E&P crude oil sales through December 31, 2013. Disclosures about how derivatives are reported in our consolidated financial statements and how the fair values of our derivative instruments are measured may be found in Notes 13 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements.
The majority of our previous derivative activity was conducted by our downstream business. Sensitivity analysis of the incremental effects on income from operations (“IFO”) of hypothetical 10 percent and 25 percent increases and decreases in commodity derivativesprices on our open commodity derivative instruments, by contract type as of September 30, 2012 is provided in the following table.
 
Incremental Change in IFO from a Hypothetical Price Increase of

 
Incremental Change in IFO from a Hypothetical Price Decrease of

 10% 25% 10% 25%
Crude oil       
Swaps$(207) $(519) $207
 $519
Option Collars(105) (277) 103
 275
Total crude oil(312) (796) 310
 794
Natural gas       
Futures(1) (2) 1
 2
Total natural gas(1) (2) 1
 2
Total$(313) $(798) $311
 $796
Sensitivity analysis of the projected incremental effect of a hypothetical 10 percent change in interest rates on financial assets and interest rate swaps related to continuing operations has not changed significantly.liabilities as of September 30, 2012 is provided in the following table.
   Incremental
   Change in
(In millions)                         Fair Value Fair Value
Financial assets (liabilities): (a)
   
Interest rate swap agreements$22
(b) 
$1
Long-term debt, including amounts due within one year$(5,639)
(b) 
$(206)
(a)
Fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, commercial paper, accounts payable and accrued interest approximate carrying value and are relatively insensitive to changes in interest rates due to the short-term maturity of the instruments.  Accordingly, these instruments are excluded from the table.
(b)
Fair value was based on market prices where available, or current borrowing rates for financings with similar terms and maturities.
The aggregate cash flow effect on foreign currency derivative contracts of a hypothetical 10 percent change in exchange rates at September 30, 2012 would be $69 million.

35



Item 4. Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  As of the end of the period covered by this report based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  
In 2012, we began a project to update our existing ERP system. The project includes implementation of a new general ledger, consolidations system and reporting tools. This project is currently in testing phases and we expect full implementation in the first half of 2013. We believe that controls over project development and implementation are adequate to assure there will be no material effect, or a reasonable likelihood of a material effect, on our internal control over financial reporting.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2011,2012, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



36


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Supplemental Statistics (Unaudited)


  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
             
Segment Income (Loss)            
     Exploration and Production            
          United States $81  $99  $237  $233 
          International  249   411   1,362   1,211 
               E&P segment  330   510   1,599   1,444 
     Oil Sands Mining  92   18   193   (59)
     Integrated Gas  55   41   158   109 
          Segment income  477   569   1,950   1,494 
               Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes  (72)  (102)  (792)  (36)
         Income from continuing operations  405   467   1,158   1,458 
         Discontinued operations  -   229   1,239   404 
              Net income $405  $696  $2,397  $1,862 
Capital Expenditures(a)
                
     Exploration and Production                
          United States $502  $352  $1,407  $1,222 
          International  182   234   694   552 
               E&P segment  684   586   2,101   1,774 
     Oil Sands Mining  36   191   236   699 
     Integrated Gas  1   1   2   2 
     Corporate  7   13   37   27 
               Total $728  $791  $2,376  $2,502 
Exploration Expenses                
     United States $75  $34  $280  $192 
     International  54   25   224   90 
               Total $129  $59  $504  $282 
                 
        
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
(In millions)2012 2011 2012 2011
Segment Income       
Exploration and Production 
  
  
  
United States$110
 $81
 $289
 $237
International376
 249
 1,091
 1,362
E&P segment486
 330
 1,380
 1,599
Oil Sands Mining65
 92
 157
 193
Integrated Gas39
 55
 56
 158
Segment income590
 477
 1,593
 1,950
Items not allocated to segments, net of income taxes(140) (72) (333) (792)
Income from continuing operations450
 405
 1,260
 1,158
         Discontinued operations(a)

 
 
 1,239
Net income$450
 $405
 $1,260
 $2,397
Capital Expenditures(b)
 
  
  
  
Exploration and Production 
  
  
  
United States$1,046
 $502
 $2,891
 $1,407
International228
 182
 568
 694
E&P segment1,274
 684
 3,459
 2,101
Oil Sands Mining41
 36
 136
 236
Integrated Gas1
 1
 2
 2
Corporate23
 7
 82
 37
Total$1,339
 $728
 $3,679
 $2,376
Exploration Expenses 
  
  
  
United States$132
 $75
 $369
 $280
International44
 54
 122
 224
Total$176
 $129
 $491
 $504
(a)
The spin-off of our downstream business was completed on June 30, 2011, and has been reported as discontinued operations in 2011.
(b)
Capital expenditures include changes in accruals.



37


MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
Supplemental Statistics (Unaudited)



 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,  September 30, Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 2011  2010  2011  2010 September 30, September 30,
            2012 2011 2012 2011
E&P Operating Statistics             
  
  
  
Net Liquid Hydrocarbon Sales (mbpd)            
Net Liquid Hydrocarbon Sales (mbbld) 
  
  
  
United States  69   80   73   65 111
 69
 98
 73
                       
Europe  108   80   102   92 94
 108
 97
 102
Africa  34   89   44   84 88
 34
 73
 44
Total International  142   169   146   176 182
 142
 170
 146
Worldwide  211   249   219   241 293
 211
 268
 219
Net Natural Gas Sales (mmcfd)                 
  
  
  
United States  296   363   326   350 366
 296
 343
 326
                       
Europe(b)
  79   99   92   104 
Europe(c)
100
 79
 102
 92
Africa  453   442   440   399 485
 453
 434
 440
Total International  532   541   532   503 585
 532
 536
 532
Worldwide  828   904   858   853 951
 828
 879
 858
Total Worldwide Sales (mboepd)  349   399   362   382 
                
Total Worldwide Sales (mboed)452
 349
 414
 362
Average Realizations (e)(d)
                 
  
  
  
Liquid Hydrocarbons (per bbl)                 
  
  
  
United States $88.89  $69.52  $91.53  $69.95 $83.80 $88.89 $86.98 $91.53
                       
Europe  117.05   80.49   115.91   79.69 $112.34 $117.05 $115.73 $115.91
Africa  63.51   69.24   75.38   69.85 $98.65 $63.51 $97.00 $75.38
Total International  104.24   74.57   103.75   75.00 $105.71 $104.24 $107.69 $103.75
Worldwide $99.24  $72.95  $99.68  $73.64 $97.40 $99.24 $100.10 $99.68
                
Natural Gas (per mcf)                       
United States $4.85  $4.43  $5.04  $4.78 $3.61 $4.85 $3.73 $5.04
                       
Europe  9.81   7.20   10.07   6.42 $10.10 $9.81 $10.05 $10.07
Africa(c)
  0.24   0.25   0.24   0.25 
Africa(e)
$0.63 $0.24 $0.39 $0.24
Total International  1.67   1.52   1.95   1.52 $2.25 $1.67 $2.23 $1.95
Worldwide $2.81  $2.69  $3.12  $2.86 $2.77 $2.81 $2.81 $3.12
                
OSM Operating Statistics                 
  
  
  
Net Synthetic Crude Sales (mbpd) (d)
  50   31   43   25 
Synthetic Crude Average Realization (per bbl)(e)
 $87.29  $67.83  $90.91  $69.07 
                
Net Synthetic Crude Oil Sales (mbbld) (f)
53
 50
 47
 43
Synthetic Crude Oil Average Realizations (per bbl)(d)
$81.13
 $87.29
 $83.58
 $90.91
IG Operating Statistics                 
  
  
  
Net Sales (mtpd) (f)
                
Net Sales (mtd) (g)
 
  
  
  
LNG  6,935   7,142   7,121   6,502 7,065
 6,935
 6,277
 7,121
Methanol  1,366   1,069   1,310   1,120 1,146
 1,366
 1,242
 1,310
(b)
(c)
Includes natural gas acquired for injection and subsequent resale of 1618 mmcfd and 1516 mmcfd for the third quarters of 20112012 and 2010,2011, and 1516 mmcfd and 1915 mmcfd for the first nine months of 20112012 and 2010.2011.
 (c)
(d)
Excludes gains and losses on derivative instruments.
(e)
Primarily represents a fixed price under long-term contracts with Alba Plant LLC, Atlantic Methanol Production Company LLC (“AMPCO”) and Equatorial Guinea LNG Holdings Limited (“EGHoldings”), equity method investees.  We include our share of Alba Plant LLC’s income in our E&P segment and we include our share of AMPCO’s and EGHoldings’ income in our Integrated Gas segment.
(d)
(f)
Includes blendstocks.
(e)Excludes gains and losses on derivative instruments.
(f)
(g)
Includes both consolidated sales volumes and our share of the sales volumes of equity method investees.investees in 2011.  LNG sales from Alaska, are conducted through a consolidated subsidiary.subsidiary, ceased when these operations were sold in the third quarter of 2011.  LNG and methanol sales from Equatorial Guinea are conducted through equity method investees.

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Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
We are defendant in a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, royalty claims, contract claims and environmental claims.  While the ultimate outcome and impact to us cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe the resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Certain of these matters are discussed below.
In March 2011, Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC (“Noble”) filed a lawsuit against us in the District Court of Harris County, Texas alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and negligent misrepresentation, relating to a multi-year drilling contract for a newly constructed drilling rig to be deployed in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.  We filed an answer in April 2011, contending, among other things, failure to perform, failure to comply with material obligations, failure to mitigate alleged damages and that Noble failed to provide the rig according to the operating, performance and safety requirements specified in the drilling contract.  Noble is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.  We are vigorously defending this litigation.  The ultimate outcome of this lawsuit, including any financial effect on us, remains uncertain.  We do not believe an estimate of a reasonably probable loss (or range of loss) can be made for this lawsuit at this time.
Environmental Proceedings
As discussed in Item-2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Environmental Matters, in August 2011, we entered into an Administrative Compliance and Consent Agreement with the U.S. EPA that temporarily suspended the requirement for pre-construction permits for our well pad facilities on Tribal Lands in North Dakota as long as permit applications were filed in accordance with the schedule set forth in this Agreement.  We also agreed to pay $294,000 in settlement of this matter, which also provided coverage for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.
WeThere have been working withno significant changes in legal or environmental proceedings during the North Dakota Departmentfirst nine months of Health to resolve voluntary disclosures we made in 2009 relating to potential Clean Air Act violations relating to our operations on State lands in the Bakken.  The amount of the potential fine is estimated to be $100,000.2012.
SEC Investigation Relating to Libya
On May 25, 2011 we received a subpoena issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requiring the production of documents related to payments made to the government of Libya, or to officials and persons affiliated with officials of the government of Libya.  We have been and intend to continue cooperating with the SEC in its investigation.

We are subject to various risks and uncertainties in the course of our business.  The discussion of such risks and uncertainties may be found under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 20102011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following is an update to our risk factors.
The potential adoption of federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives related to hydraulic fracturing could result in operating restrictions or delays in the completion of oil and gas wells.  
Hydraulic fracturing is a commonly used process that involves injecting water, sand, and small volumes of chemicals into the wellbore to fracture the hydrocarbon-bearing rock thousands of feet below the surface to facilitate higher flow of hydrocarbons into the wellbore. The U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would require additional regulation affecting the hydraulic fracturing process. Consideration of new federal regulation and increased state oversight continues to arise. The U.S. EPA announced in the first quarter of 2010 its intention to conduct a comprehensive research study on the potential effects that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. The U.S. EPA has begun preparation for the study and expects to complete the study in 2012. In addition, various state-level initiatives in regions with substantial shale gas resources have been or may be proposed or implemented to further regulate hydraulic fracturing practices, limit water withdrawals and water use, require disclosure of fracturing fluid constituents, restrict which additives may be used, or implement temporary or permanent bans on hydraulic fracturing.
Increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic fracturing process could lead to greater opposition, including litigation, to oil and gas production activities using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation or regulation could also lead to operational delays or increased operating costs in the production of oil and natural gas, including from the developing shale plays, or could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing. The adoption of any federal or state laws or the implementation of regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could potentially cause a

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decrease in the completion of new oil and gas wells and increased compliance costs, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.


The following table provides information about purchases by Marathon Oil during the quarter ended September 30, 2012, of equity securities that are registered by Marathon Oil pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  Column (a)  Column (b)  Column (c)  Column (d) 
        
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (c)
  
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (c)
 
       
       
  Total Number of  Average Price Paid 
Period 
Shares Purchased (a)
  per Share 
             
07/01/11 – 07/31/11  7,487  $32.68   -  $2,080,366,711 
08/01/11 – 08/31/11  12,026,149  $25.25   11,898,200  $1,780,609,536 
09/01/11– 09/30/11  43,767(b) $24.66   -  $1,780,609,536 
      Total  12,077,403  $25.25   11,898,200     
 Column (a) Column (b) Column (c) Column (d)
 Total Number of Average Price 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Period
Shares Purchased (a)(b)
 Paid per Share 
 Plans or Programs(c)
 
Plans or Programs(c)
07/01/12 – 07/31/1212,285 $25.62 
 $1,780,609,536
08/01/12 – 08/31/12143,642 $27.59 
 $1,780,609,536
09/01/12 – 09/30/1238,963 $28.43 
 $1,780,609,536
Total194,890 $27.63 
  
(a)  142,319
(a)
162,184 shares of restricted stock were delivered by employees to Marathon Oil, upon vesting, to satisfy tax withholding requirements.
(b)   36,884
(b)
In September 2012,  32,706 shares were repurchased in open-market transactions to satisfy the requirements for dividend reinvestment under the Marathon Oil Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (the “Dividend Reinvestment Plan”) by the administrator of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Shares needed to meet the requirements of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan are either purchased in the open market or issued directly by Marathon Oil.
(c)
We announced a share repurchase program in January 2006, and amended it several times in 2007 for a total authorized program of $5 billion. As of September 30, 2011,2012, 78 million split-adjusted common shares had been acquired at a cost of $3,222 million, which includes transaction fees and commissions that are not reported in the table above.  Of this total, 66 million shares had been acquired at a cost of $2,922 million prior to the spin-off of the downstream business.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 Not applicable.

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The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
Exhibit Number
   Incorporated by Reference Filed Herewith Furnished Herewith
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form Exhibit Filing Date SEC File No. Filed HerewithFurnished Herewith
Amended By-laws of Marathon Oil Corporation, effective January 1, 2013.X
12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.         X  
 Certification of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14 and 15(d)-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.         X  
 Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to Rule 13(a)-14 and 15(d)-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.         X  
 Certification of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.         X  
 Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.         X  
101.INS XBRL Instance DocumentDocument.         X  
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension SchemaSchema.X
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.         X  
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation LinkbaseLinkbase.         X  
101.PRE101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation LinkbaseDefinition Linkbase.         X  
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label LinkbaseX
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions LinkbaseLinkbase.         X  


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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


November 4, 20117, 2012MARATHON OIL CORPORATION
  
 
By:
/s/ Michael K. Stewart
 Michael K. Stewart
 
Vice President, AccountingFinance and Accounting,
Controller and Treasurer


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