HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - Mar 5, 2013) - Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with an undisclosed party to enter into a carried-interest arrangement for a portion of Anadarko's ownership in the Heidelberg development project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Under the terms of the agreement, Anadarko will be carried for $860 million, which represents nearly all its expected capital requirements through the anticipated date of first oil at Heidelberg in mid-2016. In exchange, Anadarko will convey a 12.75-percent working interest in the Heidelberg development. Anadarko will continue as operator with a 31.5-percent working interest.

"The Heidelberg carried-interest agreement builds upon our track record of accelerating value, maximizing returns and enhancing the capital efficiency of our large-scale projects," Anadarko President and CEO Al Walker said. "This agreement establishes a market value of approximately $3 billion for Anadarko's interest in the Heidelberg deepwater development, which is estimated to hold up to 400 million barrels of recoverable resources. In addition, our 'design one, build two' approach with the ongoing construction of our Lucius spar is expected to result in significant cost savings, and it enables us to shorten the expected development cycle for a project of this scale by up to 18 months."

The agreement is expected to close in April 2013, with an effective date of April 1, 2013, and is subject to existing preferential rights, contingencies and other customary closing conditions.

The Heidelberg development is located in 5,300 feet of water, approximately 140 miles offshore Louisiana, and consists of Green Canyon blocks 859, 860, 903, 904 and 948. The project is being developed utilizing a truss spar, which is currently under construction, with a design capacity similar to the Lucius spar at 80,000 barrels of oil per day.

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation's mission is to deliver a competitive and sustainable rate of return to shareholders by exploring for, acquiring and developing oil and natural gas resources vital to the world's health and welfare. As of year-end 2012, the company had approximately 2.56 billion barrels-equivalent of proved reserves, making it one of the world's largest independent exploration and production companies. For more information about Anadarko and APC Flash Feed updates, please visit www.anadarko.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Anadarko believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. No assurance, however, can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this news release, including Anadarko's drilling risks and its ability to execute on production and development plans and to consummate the transactions described in this news release. See "Risk Factors" in the company's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other public filings and press releases. Anadarko undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves that meet the SEC's definitions for such terms. Anadarko uses certain terms in this news release, such as "recoverable resources" and similar terms that the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit Anadarko from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Anadarko's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2012, File No. 001-08968, available from Anadarko at www.anadarko.com or by writing Anadarko at: Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, 1201 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380, Attn: Investor Relations. This form may also be obtained by contacting the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.