ConocoPhillips, one of the world’s largest independent E&P companies, is undergoing a significant transformation in 2025. From major acquisitions to innovative drilling practices and new energy demand trends, the company is actively repositioning itself for long-term resilience.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is fundamentally reshaping energy demand in the United States. Data centers — once a niche segment of electricity consumption — are now emerging as one of the largest drivers of new power needs nationwide.

ConocoPhillips has initiated a significant restructuring initiative, internally termed “Competitive Edge,” with strategic guidance from Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This move follows the company’s $23 billion acquisition of Marathon Oil and aims to streamline operations and reduce costs amid industry challenges, including oil prices hovering around $63 per barrel.

ConocoPhillips is reportedly preparing to sell its oil and gas assets in Oklahoma’s Anadarko Basin, aiming to raise over $1 billion as part of a broader divestment strategy. The assets, acquired through the $22.5 billion Marathon Oil acquisition in late 2024, span approximately 300,000 net acres and produce around 39,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day—about half of which is natural gas.

ConocoPhillips provided significant insights into its Permian Basin operations during its Q4 2024 earnings call, highlighting efficiency improvements, capital discipline, non-core asset sales, and potential growth opportunities tied to increasing U.S. power demand.

The Marathon Oil acquisition is more than just a bolt-on asset purchase—it is a transformational deal for ConocoPhillips’ Lower 48 operations. Marathon Oil’s assets complement ConocoPhillips’ existing holdings in key U.S. shale basins

During ConocoPhillips’ third-quarter 2024 earnings call, the company announced plans to reduce capital expenditures by at least $500 million in 2025 compared to 2024 levels.

One such advancement is slim hole drilling, a technique that has gained traction among industry leaders, including ConocoPhillips. By embracing this approach, ConocoPhillips has not only managed to optimize drilling operations but has also cut down on well costs by significant margins. Here’s a closer look at slim hole drilling and how ConocoPhillips is using it to stay competitive in a demanding market.

In a significant move reflecting its ongoing commitment to Alaska’s North Slope, ConocoPhillips has announced a $300 million deal to acquire portions of the Kuparuk and Prudhoe Bay oil fields from Chevron USA. This transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024 and reinforces ConocoPhillips’ position as a key player in the region, even as other major oil companies have gradually withdrawn.