Conoco
Conoco was founded in 1875. Conoco has "more than 127 years of experience in the energy industry. A fully integrated energy company, it is involved in every aspect of the oil and natural gas industry, including worldwide exploration, production, transportation, marketing, refining and power. With ventures in more than 40 countries, Conoco has a rich history of proven technological expertise and superior project management, and is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach to deepwater exploration and production challenges and high-grade petroleum coke upgrading technology."[1]
"In addition, Conoco has three emerging businesses under development which hold significant future potential - carbon fibers, natural gas refining (which includes our promising natural gas-to-liquids technology) and power generation. Conoco's major operations are centered in four core areas: North America, Northern South America, Northwestern Europe and Southeast Asia."[2]
"In 2002, for the fifth consecutive year, Conoco was recognized as the safest global energy company in the U.S., according to the American Petroleum Institute (API). This is the 17th time the company has been recognized in the past 23 years. Conoco also ranked No. 1 for the third time in the API's annual survey of the industry's safety performance outside the United States."[3]
Merger
On August 30, 2002, the merger transaction between Conoco Inc. and Phillips Petroleum Company was completed to create ConocoPhillips.
Congressional campaign contributions
ConocoPhillips is one of the largest energy company contributors to both Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress. These contributions total $312,250 to the 110th US Congress (as of the third quarter), the largest of which has been to Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) for $21,300. Senator Stevens, for his part, has consistently voted with the oil industry on energy, war and climate bills.[4]
Contributions like this from fossil fuel companies to members of Congress are often seen as a political barrier to pursuing clean energy.
More information on oil industry contributions to Congress can be found at FollowtheOilMoney.org, created by the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Oil Change International.
