ConocoPhillips 1Q Production Falls

Baja la producción por los recortes ordenados por la OPEP, y baja un poco el precio medio. Pero mejoran con fuerza los márgenes de refino.

ConocoPhillips, the third-largest U.S. oil company, said Wednesday oil and natural gas production likely fell in the first quarter from the final quarter of 2006, but said worldwide refining margins were likely significantly higher to start 2007.

The market price of oil -- based on the benchmark West Texas Intermediate -- was off about $2 a barrel in the first quarter from the fourth quarter of 2006, and more than $5 from the year-ago quarter.

The market price for natural gas in the first quarter was down more than $2 per million British thermal units from a year ago but up about 20 cents from the final quarter of last year, according to a table from Platts, a division of McGraw-Hill Cos., that ConocoPhillips cites in its news release. The oil company noted its actual crude oil and natural gas prices may vary greatly from the price indicators because of quality and other factors.