UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 21, 2006
ConocoPhillips
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 001-32395 | 01-0562944 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer | ||
| incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
600 North Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas 77079
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Houston, Texas 77079
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 293-1000
n/a
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| þ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| o | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| o | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| o | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 8.01. Other Events
On February 21, 2006, ConocoPhillips and Burlington Resources Inc. announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, applicable to ConocoPhillips’ proposed acquisition of Burlington Resources. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by Burlington Resources shareholders and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to occur in the first half of 2006. A copy of the joint press release of ConocoPhillips and Burlington Resources is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this filing, including statements as to the expected benefits of the acquisition such as efficiencies, cost savings, market profile and financial strength, and the competitive ability and position of the combined company, and other statements identified by words such as “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including required approvals by Burlington Resources shareholders and regulatory agencies, the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the acquisition cannot be fully realized, the possibility that costs or difficulties related to the integration of Burlington Resources operations into ConocoPhillips will be greater than expected, the impact of competition and other risk factors relating to our industry as detailed from time to time in each of ConocoPhillips’ and Burlington Resources’ reports filed with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, ConocoPhillips undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
ConocoPhillips will file a Form S-4, Burlington Resources will file a proxy statement and both companies will file other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE FORM S-4 AND PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You will be able to obtain the documents free of charge at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, you may obtain documents filed with the SEC by ConocoPhillips free of charge by contacting ConocoPhillips Shareholder Relations Department at (281) 293-6800, P.O. Box 2197, Houston, Texas, 77079-2197. You may obtain documents filed with the SEC by Burlington Resources free of charge by contacting Burlington Resources Investor Relations Department at (800) 262-3456, 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002, e-mail: IR@br-inc.com.
ConocoPhillips, Burlington Resources and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Burlington Resources’ stockholders in connection with the merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of ConocoPhillips and their ownership of ConocoPhillips stock will be set forth in the proxy statement for ConocoPhillips’ 2006 Annual Shareholders Meeting.
Information about the directors and executive officers of Burlington Resources and their ownership of Burlington Resources stock is set forth in the proxy statement for Burlington Resources’ 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants by reading the Form S-4 and proxy statement for the merger when they become available.
Investors should read the Form S-4 and proxy statement carefully when they become available before making any voting or investment decisions.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
| 99.1 | — | Joint Press Release, dated February 21, 2006 |
SIGNATURES
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 hereunto duly authorized.
| CONOCOPHILLIPS | ||||
| /s/ Stephen F. Gates | ||||
| February 22, 2006 | Stephen F. Gates | |||
| Senior Vice President and General Counsel | ||||
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | Joint Press Release, dated February 21, 2006 |