Bartlesville staff numbers to remain static; Houston will lose staff, say Phillips and Conoco

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Phillips Petroleum Co. and Conoco said May 3 that employment reductions are expected in Houston, but not in Bartlesville, as a result of decisions the companies have made regarding locations for staff and support functions for ConocoPhillips.

The changes will begin when the merger is cleared by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, expected in the second half of the year.

In Houston, along with the company’s headquarters, will be: worldwide upstream operations including Lower 48 headquarters and upstream technology; downstream refining; wholesale marketing; marine; carbon, lubes and specialties businesses; and the company’s commercial center including supply and trading for crude oil, refined products, natural gas liquids and gas and power.

ConocoPhillips will locate a new global information technology center in Bartlesville, Okla., along with global financial services and human resources support organizations and the research and development activities currently done there.

Some functions will remain in Ponca City, Okla., including operation of the refinery and the research and development activities based there, including development of gas-to-liquids technology.

ConocoPhillips’ retail marketing organization will be in Tempe, Ariz.

The companies said that employment reductions are expected in Houston and Tempe, with slight reductions in Ponca City.

“Employment in Bartlesville will remain unchanged,” Phillips and Conoco said, “as it transitions from a corporate headquarters to a global support center.”