the company’s growth. Refer to the “Results of Operations” section beginning on page FS-6 for discussions of net gains on asset sales during 2008. Asset dispositions and restructurings may occur in future periods and could result in significant gains or losses.

     The company has been closely monitoring the ongoing uncertainty in financial and credit markets, the rapid decline in crude-oil prices that began in the second half of 2008, and the general contraction of worldwide economic activity. Management is taking these developments into account in the conduct of daily operations and for business planning. The company remains confident of its underlying financial strength to deal with potential problems presented in this environment.

     Comments related to earnings trends for the company’s major business areas are as follows:

     Upstream  Earnings for the upstream segment are closely aligned with industry price levels for crude oil and natural gas. Crude-oil and natural-gas prices are subject to external factors over which the company has no control, including product demand connected with global economic conditions, industry inventory levels, production quotas imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), weather-related damage and disruptions, competing fuel prices, and regional supply interruptions or fears thereof that may be caused by military conflicts, civil unrest or political uncertainty. Moreover, any of these factors could also inhibit the company’s production capacity in an affected region. The company monitors developments closely in the countries in which it operates and holds investments, and attempts to manage risks in operating its facilities and business.

     Price levels for capital and exploratory costs and operating expenses associated with the efficient production of crude oil and natural gas can also be subject to external factors beyond the company’s control. External factors include not only the general level of inflation but also prices charged by the industry’s material- and service-providers, which can be affected by the volatility of the industry’s own supply and demand conditions for such materials and services. Capital and exploratory expenditures and operating expenses also can be affected by damages to production facilities caused by severe weather or civil unrest.

     Industry price levels for crude oil were volatile during 2008. The spot price for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil, a benchmark crude, started 2008 at $96 per barrel and peaked at $147 in early July. At the end of the year, the WTI price had fallen to $45 per barrel. As of mid-February 2009, the WTI price was $38 per barrel. The collapse in price during the second half of 2008 was largely driven by a decline in the demand for crude oil that was associated with a significant weakening in world economies. The WTI price averaged $100 per barrel for the full-year 2008, compared with $72 in 2007.

     As in 2007, a wide differential in prices existed in 2008 between high-quality (i.e., high-gravity, low-sulfur) crude oils and those of lower quality (i.e., low-gravity, high-sulfur crude). The relatively