Freeport-McMoRan Reports Third-Quarter and Nine-Month 2016 Results

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX):

• Net income attributable to common stock totaled $217 million, $0.16 per share, for third-quarter 2016. After adjusting for net gains totaling $39 million, $0.03 per share, third-quarter 2016 adjusted net income attributable to common stock totaled $178 million, $0.13 per share.
• Consolidated sales (including volumes from Tenke Fungurume (Tenke), which is being reported as discontinued operations) totaled 1.2 billion pounds of copper, 317 thousand ounces of gold, 16 million pounds of molybdenum and 12.0 million barrels of oil equivalents (MMBOE) for third-quarter 2016, compared with 1.0 billion pounds of copper, 294 thousand ounces of gold, 23 million pounds of molybdenum and 13.8 MMBOE for third-quarter 2015.
• Consolidated sales for the year 2016 are expected to approximate 4.8 billion pounds of copper (including 485 million pounds from Tenke), 1.26 million ounces of gold and 73 million pounds of molybdenum, including 1.3 billion pounds of copper, 590 thousand ounces of gold and 21 million pounds of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2016.
• Average realized prices were $2.18 per pound for copper, $1,327 per ounce for gold and $40.63 per barrel for oil for third-quarter 2016.
• Average unit net cash costs were $1.14 per pound of copper for mining operations and $15.00 per barrel of oil equivalents (BOE) for oil and gas operations for third-quarter 2016. Unit net cash costs for the year 2016 are expected to average $1.20 per pound of copper for mining operations.
• Operating cash flows totaled $980 million for third-quarter 2016. Based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $2.10 per pound for copper, $1,250 per ounce for gold and $7 per pound for molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2016, operating cash flows for the year 2016 are expected to approximate $3.6 billion (including $0.3 billion in working capital sources and changes in other tax payments).
• Capital expenditures totaled $494 million for third-quarter 2016, consisting of $333 million for mining operations (including $250 million for major projects) and $160 million for oil and gas operations. Capital expenditures are expected to approximate $2.8 billion for the year 2016, consisting of $1.6 billion for mining operations (including $1.2 billion for major projects) and $1.2 billion for oil and gas operations.
• At September 30, 2016, consolidated debt totaled $19.0 billion and consolidated cash totaled $1.1 billion. At September 30, 2016, FCX had no borrowings and $3.5 billion available under its $3.5 billion revolving credit facility.
• FCX expects to receive $5.2 billion in gross proceeds during fourth-quarter 2016 in connection with previously announced asset sale transactions.
• In July 2016, FCX commenced a registered at-the-market offering of up to $1.5 billion of common stock. Through October 24, 2016, FCX has sold 33.5 million shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of $415 million ($12.39 per share average price).

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) reported net income attributable to common stock of $217 million, $0.16 per share, for third-quarter 2016 and net losses attributable to common stock of $4.4 billion, $3.45 per share, for the first nine months of 2016, $3.8 billion, $3.58 per share, for third-quarter 2015 and $8.2 billion, $7.77 per share, for the first nine months of 2015. FCX’s net income attributable to common stock for third-quarter 2016 includes net gains of $39 million, $0.03 per share, primarily reflecting net tax credits, partly offset by the impairment of oil and gas properties. Third-quarter 2015 net loss attributable to common stock included net charges of $3.7 billion, $3.43 per share, primarily for the impairment of oil and gas properties. For further discussion of these amounts and net charges impacting the nine month periods, refer to the supplemental schedule "Adjusted Net Income (Loss)," on page IX, which is available on FCX's website, "fcx.com."

Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our actions during 2016 position us to achieve our objectives of restoring our balance sheet strength and focusing our strategy on our industry leading portfolio of high quality, long-lived copper assets. Our announced asset sale transactions totaling $6.6 billion combined with significant free cash flow generation in the coming quarters will enable us to achieve our debt reduction targets. Our global team continues to execute our cost and capital management initiatives during a period of weak copper prices in a manner that protects the long-term values of our large resources. We remain focused on completing our announced transactions, executing our operating plans and building long-term values from our portfolio of low-cost, long-lived reserves and resources for the benefit of our shareholders."

DEBT REDUCTION INITIATIVES

FCX is taking actions to restore its balance sheet strength through a combination of asset sale transactions, cash flow from operations and capital market transactions. During 2016, FCX has announced $6.6 billion in asset sale transactions and has received aggregate cash consideration of $1.4 billion. The remaining $5.2 billion in gross proceeds is expected to be received in fourth-quarter 2016 associated with the pending Tenke and oil and gas transactions. In September 2016, FCX agreed to sell its Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM) properties for cash consideration of $2.0 billion and up to $150 million of contingent payments, and in October 2016, FCX agreed to sell its onshore California oil and gas properties for cash consideration of $592 million and up to $150 million of contingent consideration. Following provides a summary of FCX’s completed and pending asset sales (in billions):

In July 2016, FCX commenced a registered at-the-market (ATM) offering of up to $1.5 billion of common stock. Through October 24, 2016, FCX has sold 33.5 million shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of $415 million ($12.39 per share average price).

FCX continues to aggressively manage production, exploration and administrative costs and capital spending. With the successful completion of the Cerro Verde expansion and anticipated access to higher grade ore from the Grasberg mine in future quarters, FCX expects to generate substantial cash flows for debt reduction.

FCX remains focused on retaining a high-quality portfolio of long-lived copper assets positioned to generate value as market conditions improve. In addition to debt reduction plans, FCX is pursuing opportunities to create additional value through mine designs that would increase copper reserves, reduce costs and provide opportunities to enhance net present values, and continues to advance studies for future development of its copper resources, the timing of which will be dependent on market conditions.

Consolidated Sales Volumes

Third-quarter 2016 consolidated copper sales (including Tenke) of 1.23 billion pounds were approximately six percent lower than the July 2016 estimate of 1.3 billion pounds principally reflecting lower mining rates at the Grasberg mine operated by PT Freeport Indonesia (PT-FI), which affected the timing of access to higher grade ore. Third-quarter 2016 consolidated copper sales were higher than third-quarter 2015 sales of 1.0 billion pounds, primarily reflecting higher volumes from Cerro Verde and PT-FI.

Third-quarter 2016 consolidated gold sales of 317 thousand ounces were lower than the July 2016 estimate of 410 thousand ounces primarily reflecting lower mining rates which reflected timing of access to higher grade ore at PT-FI, but were higher than third-quarter 2015 sales of 294 thousand ounces.

Third-quarter 2016 consolidated molybdenum sales of 16 million pounds were lower than the July 2016 estimate of 20 million pounds and third-quarter 2015 sales of 23 million pounds, primarily reflecting weak demand.

Third-quarter 2016 sales from oil and gas operations of 12.0 MMBOE, including 9.1 million barrels (MMBbls) of crude oil, 13.8 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas and 0.6 MMBbls of natural gas liquids (NGLs), were higher than the July 2016 estimate of 11.4 MMBOE, primarily reflecting higher than anticipated oil sales volumes from GOM, but were lower than third-quarter 2015 sales of 13.8 MMBOE, primarily reflecting the July 2016 sale of Haynesville.

Sales volumes for the year 2016 are expected to approximate 4.8 billion pounds of copper (including 485 million pounds for Tenke), 1.26 million ounces of gold and 73 million pounds of molybdenum, including 1.3 billion pounds of copper (including 120 million pounds for Tenke), 590 thousand ounces of gold and 21 million pounds of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2016. Projected sales volumes are dependent on a number of factors, including operational performance, shipping schedules and the timing of completing the pending Tenke transaction.

Consolidated Unit Costs

Mining Unit Net Cash Costs. Consolidated average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for FCX's copper mines (including Tenke) of $1.14 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2016 were lower than unit net cash costs of $1.52 per pound in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting higher copper sales volumes and the impact of ongoing cost reduction initiatives.

Assuming average prices of $1,250 per ounce of gold and $7 per pound of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2016 and achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, consolidated unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for copper mines (including Tenke) are expected to average $0.99 per pound of copper in fourth-quarter 2016 and $1.20 per pound for the year 2016. The impact of price changes for fourth-quarter 2016 on consolidated unit net cash costs would approximate $0.0075 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold and $0.004 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum. Quarterly unit net cash costs vary with fluctuations in sales volumes and realized prices primarily for gold and molybdenum.

Oil and Gas Cash Production Costs per BOE. Cash production costs for oil and gas operations of $15.00 per BOE in third-quarter 2016 were lower than cash production costs of $18.85 per BOE in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting ongoing cost reduction efforts in California.

MINING OPERATIONS

North America Copper Mines. FCX operates seven open-pit copper mines in North America - Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita and Miami in Arizona, and Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico. In addition to copper, molybdenum concentrate and silver are also produced by certain of FCX's North America copper mines.

All of the North America mining operations are wholly owned, except for Morenci. FCX records its 72 percent undivided joint venture interest in Morenci using the proportionate consolidation method.

Operating and Development Activities. FCX has significant undeveloped reserves and resources in North America and a portfolio of long-term development projects. In the near term, FCX is deferring development of new projects as a result of current market conditions. Future investments will be undertaken based on the results of economic and technical feasibility studies, and market conditions.

During 2015, FCX revised plans for its North America copper mines to incorporate reductions in mining rates to reduce operating and capital costs. In addition, FCX curtailed operations at the Miami and Tyrone mines and is operating its Sierrita mine at reduced rates. The revised plans at each of the operations incorporate the impacts of lower energy, acid and other consumables, reduced labor costs and a significant reduction in capital spending plans. These operating plans will continue to be reviewed and additional adjustments will be made as market conditions warrant.

Operating Data. Following is a summary of consolidated operating data for the North America copper mines for the third quarters and first nine months of 2016 and 2015:

North America's consolidated copper sales volumes of 458 million pounds in third-quarter 2016 were less than third-quarter 2015 sales of 483 million pounds, primarily attributable to the May 2016 sale of a portion of FCX's interest in Morenci. North America copper sales are estimated to approximate 1.8 billion pounds for the year 2016, compared with 2.0 billion pounds in 2015.

Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for the North America copper mines of $1.37 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2016 were lower than the unit net cash costs of $1.68 per pound in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting cost reduction initiatives.

Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for the North America copper mines are expected to approximate $1.41 per pound of copper for the year 2016, based on achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming an average molybdenum price of $7 per pound for fourth-quarter 2016. North America's average unit net cash costs would change by approximately $0.005 per pound for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum.

South America Mining. FCX operates two copper mines in South America - Cerro Verde in Peru (in which FCX owns a 53.56 percent interest) and El Abra in Chile (in which FCX owns a 51 percent interest). These operations are consolidated in FCX's financial statements. In addition to copper, the Cerro Verde mine produces molybdenum concentrate and silver.

Operating and Development Activities. The Cerro Verde expansion project commenced operations in September 2015 and achieved capacity operating rates during first-quarter 2016. Cerro Verde's expanded operations benefit from its large-scale, long-lived reserves and cost efficiencies. The project expanded the concentrator facilities from 120,000 metric tons of ore per day to 360,000 metric tons of ore per day and is on track to provide incremental annual production of approximately 600 million pounds of copper and 15 million pounds of molybdenum.

During 2015, FCX revised plans for its South America copper mines, principally to reflect adjustments to the mine plan at El Abra to reduce mining and stacking rates by approximately 50 percent to achieve lower operating and labor costs, defer capital expenditures and extend the life of the existing operations.

FCX continues to evaluate a potential large-scale milling operation at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher recoveries. Exploration results in recent years at El Abra indicate a significant sulfide resource, which could potentially support a major mill project. Future investments will depend on technical studies, economic factors and global copper market conditions.

Operating Data. Following is a summary of consolidated operating data for the South America mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2016 and 2015:

South America's consolidated copper sales volumes of 323 million pounds in third-quarter 2016 were significantly higher than third-quarter 2015 sales of 207 million pounds, reflecting Cerro Verde's expanded operations. Sales from South America mining are expected to approximate 1.3 billion pounds of copper for the year 2016, compared with 871 million pounds of copper in 2015.

Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for South America mining of $1.40 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2016 were lower than unit net cash costs of $1.68 per pound in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting higher copper sales volumes and efficiencies associated with the Cerro Verde expansion and higher by-product credits. Average unit net cash costs (net of by-product credits) for South America mining are expected to approximate $1.42 per pound of copper for the year 2016, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $7 per pound of molybdenum for fourth-quarter 2016.

Indonesia Mining. Through its 90.64 percent owned and consolidated subsidiary PT-FI, FCX's assets include one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits at the Grasberg minerals district in Papua, Indonesia. PT-FI operates a proportionately consolidated joint venture, which produces copper concentrate that contains significant quantities of gold and silver.

Regulatory Matters. PT-FI continues to engage with Indonesian government officials regarding its long-term operating rights under its Contract of Work (COW), and its rights to export concentrate without restriction.

PT-FI and the Indonesian government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2014, in which subject to concluding an agreement to extend PT-FI's operations beyond 2021 on acceptable terms, PT-FI agreed to construct new smelter capacity in Indonesia and to divest an additional 20.64 percent interest in PT-FI at fair market value. PT-FI also agreed to pay higher royalties and to pay export duties until certain smelter development milestones were met.

In October 2015, the Indonesian government provided a letter of assurance to PT-FI indicating that it would revise regulations allowing it to approve the extension of operations beyond 2021, and provide the same rights and the same level of legal and fiscal certainty provided under its current COW.

In August 2016, PT-FI's export permit was renewed through January 11, 2017. Current regulations published by the Indonesian government prohibit exports of copper concentrate and anode slimes after January 12, 2017. Indonesian government officials have indicated an intent to revise this regulation to protect employment and government revenues. PT-FI is actively engaged with Indonesian government officials on this matter.

Operating and Development Activities. PT-FI is currently mining the final phase of the Grasberg open pit, which contains very high copper and gold ore grades. PT-FI expects to mine high-grade ore over the next several quarters prior to transitioning to the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine in the first half of 2018.

PT-FI has several projects in progress in the Grasberg minerals district related to the development of its large-scale, long-lived, high-grade underground ore bodies. In aggregate, these underground ore bodies are expected to produce large-scale quantities of copper and gold following the transition from the Grasberg open pit. From 2017 to 2020, estimated aggregate capital spending on these projects is currently expected to average $1.0 billion per year ($0.8 billion per year net to PT-FI). Considering the long-term nature and size of these projects, actual costs could vary from these estimates. In response to market conditions and Indonesian regulatory uncertainty, the timing of these expenditures continues to be reviewed.

Operating Data. Following is a summary of consolidated operating data for the Indonesia mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2016 and 2015:

Indonesia's consolidated copper sales totaled 332 million pounds in third-quarter 2016 and were higher than third-quarter 2015 sales of 198 million pounds, primarily reflecting higher copper ore grades. Indonesia's third-quarter 2016 gold sales of 307 thousand ounces were higher than third-quarter 2015 sales of 285 thousand ounces. Third-quarter 2016 sales volumes were below previous estimates because of lower mining rates that affected the timing of access to higher grade ore and a deferral of production into future periods resulting from labor productivity issues and a 10-day work stoppage beginning in late September.

At the Grasberg mine, the sequencing of mining areas with varying ore grades causes fluctuations in quarterly and annual production of copper and gold. Consolidated sales volumes from Indonesia mining operations are expected to approximate 1.2 billion pounds of copper and 1.24 million ounces of gold for the year 2016, compared with 744 million pounds of copper and 1.2 million ounces of gold for the year 2015. Ore grades are expected to further improve in 2017 because of increased access to higher grade sections of the Grasberg open pit.

A significant portion of PT-FI's costs are fixed and unit costs vary depending on volumes and other factors. Indonesia's unit net cash costs (including gold and silver credits) of $0.57 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2016 were lower than unit net cash costs of $1.18 per pound in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting higher sales volumes, partly offset by lower by-product credits.

Based on current sales volume and cost estimates, and assuming an average gold price of $1,250 per ounce for fourth-quarter 2016, unit net cash costs (net of gold and silver credits) for Indonesia mining are expected to approximate $0.19 per pound of copper for fourth-quarter 2016 and $0.62 per pound for the year 2016. Indonesia mining's unit net cash costs for the year 2016 would change by approximately $0.03 per pound for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold for fourth-quarter 2016. Because of the fixed nature of a large portion of Indonesia mining's costs, unit costs vary from quarter to quarter depending on copper and gold volumes. Anticipated higher ore grades from the Grasberg mine are expected to result in lower unit net cash costs in fourth-quarter 2016 and for the year 2017.

Indonesia mining's projected sales volumes are dependent on a number of factors, including operational performance, the timing of shipments and approval by the Indonesian government to continue the export of copper concentrate and anode slimes.

Africa Mining. In May 2016, FCX entered into an agreement to sell its interest in TF Holdings Limited (TFHL), through which FCX holds an effective 56 percent interest in the Tenke copper and cobalt mining concessions in the Southeast region of the DRC. In accordance with accounting guidelines, the operating results of Africa mining have been separately reported as discontinued operations in FCX’s consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. The transaction is expected to close in fourth-quarter 2016.

Operating Data. Following is a summary of operating data for the Africa mining operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2016 and 2015:

Africa mining's copper sales of 118 million pounds in third-quarter 2016 were slightly higher than third-quarter 2015 copper sales of 113 million pounds. Africa mining's sales for 2016 are expected to approximate 485 million pounds of copper and 38 million pounds of cobalt, compared with 467 million pounds of copper and 35 million pounds of cobalt for the year 2015. Africa mining's projected sales for the year 2016 would be impacted by the timing of the completion of the sale of FCX's interest in TFHL.

Africa mining's unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) of $1.16 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2016 were slightly higher than unit net cash costs of $1.15 per pound of copper in third-quarter 2015. Unit net cash costs (net of cobalt credits) for Africa mining are expected to approximate $1.26 per pound of copper for 2016, based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming an average cobalt price of $11 per pound for fourth-quarter of 2016.

Molybdenum Mines. FCX has two wholly owned molybdenum mines in North America - the Henderson underground mine and the Climax open-pit mine, both in Colorado. The Henderson and Climax mines produce high-purity, chemical-grade molybdenum concentrate, which is typically further processed into value-added molybdenum chemical products. The majority of molybdenum concentrate produced at the Henderson and Climax mines, as well as from FCX's North and South America copper mines, is processed at FCX's conversion facilities.

Operating and Development Activities. In response to market conditions, the revised plans for the Henderson molybdenum mine incorporate lower operating rates, resulting in an approximate 65 percent reduction in Henderson's annual production volumes. FCX also adjusted production plans at its by-product mines, including reduced production at its Sierrita mine. Additionally, FCX incorporated changes in the commercial pricing structure for its chemicals products to promote continuation of chemical-grade production.

Production from the Molybdenum mines totaled 5 million pounds of molybdenum in third-quarter 2016 and 13 million pounds in third-quarter 2015. Refer to summary operating data on page 4 for FCX's consolidated molybdenum sales, which includes sales of molybdenum produced at the Molybdenum mines, and from FCX's North and South America copper mines.

Average unit net cash costs for the Molybdenum mines of $10.28 per pound of molybdenum in third-quarter 2016 were higher than average unit net cash costs of $6.93 per pound in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting lower volumes. Based on current sales volume and cost estimates, unit net cash costs for the Molybdenum mines are expected to average approximately $8.50 per pound of molybdenum for the year 2016.

For a reconciliation of unit net cash costs per pound to production and delivery costs applicable to sales reported in FCX's consolidated financial statements, refer to the supplemental schedules, "Product Revenues and Production Costs," beginning on page XV, which are available on FCX's website, "fcx.com."

Mining Exploration Activities. FCX's mining exploration activities are generally associated with its existing mines focusing on opportunities to expand reserves and resources to support development of additional future production capacity. Exploration results continue to indicate opportunities for significant future potential reserve additions in North and South America. Exploration spending continues to be constrained by market conditions and is expected to approximate $45 million for the year 2016.

OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS

Through its wholly owned oil and gas subsidiary, FM O&G, FCX's principal oil and gas assets include oil production facilities in the Deepwater GOM and California.

In September 2016, FCX entered into an agreement to sell its Deepwater GOM properties to Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (Anadarko) for cash consideration of $2.0 billion (before closing adjustments) and up to $150 million in contingent payments. The contingent payments would be received over time as Anadarko realizes future cash flows in connection with FCX's third-party production handling agreement for the Marlin platform. The transaction has an effective date of August 1, 2016, and is expected to close in fourth-quarter 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. In connection with the sale of the Deepwater GOM properties, FM O&G entered into an agreement to amend the terms of the Plains Offshore Operations Inc. preferred stock to provide FM O&G the right to call these securities for $582 million. FM O&G expects to exercise this option at the time the Deepwater GOM sale closes.

In October 2016, FCX entered into an agreement to sell its onshore California oil and gas properties to Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC for cash consideration of $592 million (before closing adjustments) and contingent consideration of up to $150 million, consisting of $50 million per year for 2018, 2019 and 2020 if the price of Brent crude oil averages $70 per barrel or higher in each of these calendar years. The transaction has an effective date of July 1, 2016, and is expected to close in fourth-quarter 2016, subject to customary closing conditions.

Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties. FCX follows the full cost method of accounting for its oil and gas operations, whereby all costs associated with oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized and amortized to expense under the unit-of-production method on a country-by-country basis using estimates of proved oil and gas reserves relating to each country where such activities are conducted. The costs of unproved oil and gas properties are excluded from amortization until the properties are evaluated.

Under full cost accounting rules, a "ceiling test" is conducted each quarter to review the carrying value of oil and gas properties for impairment. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires the twelve-month average of the first-day-of-the-month historical reference oil price be used in determining the ceiling test limitation. Using West Texas Intermediate (WTI) as the reference oil price, the average price was $41.68 per barrel at September 30, 2016, compared with $43.12 per barrel at June 30, 2016. As a result of the impact of the reduction in twelve-month historical prices and reserve revisions, net capitalized costs exceeded the ceiling test limitation under full cost accounting rules, which resulted in the recognition of a third-quarter 2016 impairment charge of $239 million.

Financial and Operating Data. Following is a summary of financial and operating data for the U.S. oil and gas operations for the third quarters and first nine months of 2016 and 2015:

The average realized price for crude oil was $40.63 per barrel in third-quarter 2016 (86 percent of the average Brent crude oil price of $46.99 per barrel). The average realized price for natural gas was $2.84 per MMBtu in third-quarter 2016, compared to the New York Mercantile Exchange natural gas price average of $2.81 per MMBtu for the July through September 2016 contracts.

Lower realized revenues for oil and gas operations of $34.99 per BOE in third-quarter 2016, compared to $43.00 per BOE in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflects the impact of realized cash gains on derivative contracts of $7.44 per BOE in third-quarter 2015.

Cash production costs for oil and gas operations of $15.00 per BOE in third-quarter 2016 were lower than cash production costs of $18.85 per BOE in third-quarter 2015, primarily reflecting ongoing cost reduction efforts.

Following is a summary of average oil and gas sales volumes per day by region for the third quarters and first nine months of 2016 and 2015:

Daily sales volumes averaged 131 MBOE for third-quarter 2016, including 99 thousand barrels (MBbls) of crude oil, 150 million cubic feet (MMcf) of natural gas and 7 MBbls of NGLs.

Following completion of the Deepwater GOM and onshore California transactions, FCX’s portfolio of oil and gas assets would include oil and natural gas production onshore in South Louisiana and on the GOM Shelf, oil production offshore California and natural gas production from the Madden area in Central Wyoming. In third-quarter 2016, these properties produced an average of 7 MBbls of oil and NGLs per day and 74 MMcf of natural gas per day.

Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures for oil and gas operations in third-quarter 2016 totaled $160 million (including $75 million incurred for GOM and $97 million associated with the change in capital expenditure accruals).

CASH FLOWS, CASH, DEBT and EQUITY TRANSACTIONS

Operating Cash Flows. FCX generated operating cash flows of $980 million for third-quarter 2016 and $2.6 billion (including $463 million in working capital sources and changes in other tax payments) for the first nine months of 2016.

Based on current sales volume and cost estimates and assuming average prices of $2.10 per pound of copper, $1,250 per ounce of gold, $7 per pound of molybdenum and $51 per barrel of Brent crude oil for fourth-quarter 2016, FCX's consolidated operating cash flows are estimated to approximate $3.6 billion for the year 2016 (including $0.3 billion in working capital sources and other tax payments). The impact of price changes during fourth-quarter 2016 on operating cash flows would approximate $150 million for each $0.10 per pound change in the average price of copper, $20 million for each $50 per ounce change in the average price of gold, $15 million for each $2 per pound change in the average price of molybdenum and $28 million for each $5 per barrel change in the average Brent crude oil price.

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures totaled $494 million for third-quarter 2016, consisting of $333 million for mining operations (including $250 million for major projects primarily for the development of underground mines by PT-FI) and $160 million for oil and gas operations. Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2016 totaled $2.3 billion, consisting of $1.2 billion for mining operations (including $0.9 billion for major projects) and $1.1 billion for oil and gas operations.

Capital expenditures are expected to approximate $2.8 billion for the year 2016, consisting of $1.6 billion for mining operations (including $1.2 billion for major projects, primarily for the development of underground mines by PT-FI and for the Cerro Verde expansion, which was completed earlier in the year) and $1.2 billion for oil and gas operations.

Cash. Following is a summary of the U.S. and international components of consolidated cash and cash equivalents available to the parent company (excluding cash and cash equivalents of $68 million in assets held for sale), net of noncontrolling interests' share, taxes and other costs at September 30, 2016 (in millions):

Debt. FCX continues to focus on cost and capital management and cash flow generation from its operations and is taking actions to reduce debt through asset sales, available cash flows and other transactions. Following is a summary of total debt and the related weighted-average interest rates at September 30, 2016 (in billions, except percentages):

At September 30, 2016, FCX had no borrowings, $43 million in letters of credit issued and availability of $3.5 billion under its revolving credit facility.

Equity. In July 2016, FCX commenced a registered ATM offering of up to $1.5 billion of common stock. Through October 24, 2016, FCX has sold 33.5 million shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of $415 million ($12.39 per share average price). As of September 30, 2016, FCX has 1.36 billion common shares outstanding.

FINANCIAL POLICY

FCX intends to continue to seek to strengthen its financial position, with a focus on significant debt reduction. In December 2015, FCX's common stock dividend was suspended. FCX's Board of Directors will continue to review its financial policy on an ongoing basis.

WEBCAST INFORMATION

A conference call with securities analysts to discuss FCX's third-quarter 2016 results is scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be broadcast on the Internet along with slides. Interested parties may listen to the conference call live and view the slides by accessing "fcx.com." A replay of the webcast will be available through Friday, November 25, 2016.

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FCX is a premier U.S.-based natural resources company with an industry-leading global portfolio of mineral assets. FCX is the world's largest publicly traded copper producer.

FCX's portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world's largest copper and gold deposits, and significant mining operations in the Americas, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in North America and the Cerro Verde operation in South America. Additional information about FCX is available on FCX's website at "fcx.com."

Cautionary Statement and Regulation G Disclosure: This press release contains forward-looking statements in which FCX discusses its potential future performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts, such as projections or expectations relating to ore grades and milling rates, production and sales volumes, unit net cash costs, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, debt reduction initiatives, including FCX's ability to complete pending asset sales and the anticipated timing thereof, and to sell additional assets, exploration efforts and results, development and production activities and costs, liquidity, tax rates, the impact of copper, gold, molybdenum, cobalt, crude oil and natural gas price changes, the impact of deferred intercompany profits on earnings, reserve estimates, future dividend payments, and share purchases and sales. The words “anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” "targets," “intends,” “likely,” “will,” “should,” “to be,” ”potential" and any similar expressions are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Under its term loan and revolving credit facility, as amended, FCX is not permitted to pay dividends on common stock on or prior to March 31, 2017. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of FCX's Board of Directors (Board), subject to restrictions under FCX's credit agreements, and will depend on FCX's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

FCX cautions readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause FCX's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include supply of and demand for, and prices of, copper, gold, molybdenum, cobalt, crude oil and natural gas, mine sequencing, production rates, drilling results, potential effects of cost and capital expenditure reductions and production curtailments on financial results and cash flow, the outcome of FCX's debt reduction initiatives, FCX's ability to secure regulatory approvals, satisfy closing conditions and consummate pending asset sales, potential additional oil and gas property impairment charges, potential inventory adjustments, potential impairment of long-lived mining assets, the outcome of ongoing discussions with the Indonesian government regarding PT-FI's Contract of Work (COW), the potential effects of violence in Indonesia generally and in the province of Papua, the resolution of administrative disputes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, industry risks, regulatory changes, political risks, labor relations, weather- and climate-related risks, environmental risks, litigation results and other factors described in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in FCX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as updated by FCX's subsequent filings with the SEC. WIth respect to FCX's operations in Indonesia, such factors include whether PT-FI will be able to continue to export its copper concentrate directly and indirectly through PT Smelting (PT-FI's 25 percent-owned Indonesian smelting unit) after the January 12, 2017, effective date of regulations prohibiting exports of copper concentrate and anode slimes, including whether and when those regulations may be revised and whether any such revisions would impose additional conditions on PT-FI. PT-FI's inability to export copper concentrate itself and through PT Smelting for any extended period of time would lead to the suspension of all of FCX's production in Indonesia.

Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which FCX's forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after the forward-looking statements are made, including for example commodity prices, which FCX cannot control, and production volumes and costs, some aspects of which FCX may not be able to control. Further, FCX may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. FCX cautions investors that it does not intend to update forward-looking statements more frequently than quarterly notwithstanding any changes in its assumptions, changes in business plans, actual experience or other changes, and FCX undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

This press release also contains certain financial measures such as unit net cash costs per pound of copper and molybdenum, oil and gas realized revenues, cash production costs and cash operating margin, which are not recognized under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. As required by SEC Regulation G, reconciliations of these measures to amounts reported in FCX's consolidated financial statements are in the supplemental schedules of this press release, which are also available on FCX's website, "fcx.com."