Economist - Crude, Natural Gas & LNG

Welcome to ConocoPhillips, where innovation and excellence create a platform for opportunity and growth. Come realize your full potential here.

Who We Are

We are one of the world's largest independent exploration and production companies, based on proved reserves and production of liquids and natural gas. With operations and activities in 13 countries, we explore for, develop, and produce crude oil and natural gas globally. We are challenged with an important job to safely find and deliver energy to the world. Our employees are critical to our success, and with them we power civilization.

We're grounded by our SPIRIT Values - safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation, and teamwork. These values position us to deliver strong performance in a dynamic business - but not at all costs. We believe it's not just what we do - it's how we do it - that sets us apart.

Fostering an Inclusive Work Environment

To deliver superior performance, we create an environment that respects the contributions and differences of every individual. Wherever possible, we use these differences to drive competitive business advantage, personal growth and, ultimately, create business success.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly analytical Economist to lead the technical evaluation and structuring of short-term and long-term commodity contracts across the energy value chain. This role is responsible for LNG offtake and sales agreements (SPAs), crude oil sales and purchase contracts, and long-haul natural gas and crude pipeline transportation agreements. The successful candidate will combine rigorous economic analysis, financial modeling, and commercial structuring to maximize value, manage risk, and support strategic growth in volatile global energy markets.
This is a high-impact role that sits at the intersection of economics, markets, and commercial strategy. The right candidate will directly influence multi-billion-dollar contract decisions and help shape the company's position in the global crude, natural gas, and LNG markets.

Position Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive economic and financial evaluations of short-term (spot, forward, monthly) and long-term (5-20+ year) contracts, including LNG offtake commitments, LNG sales and purchase agreements (SPAs), crude oil term sales, and natural gas/crude long-haul pipeline capacity contracts.
• Build, maintain, and stress-test complex financial models (NPV, IRR, DCF, breakeven, Monte Carlo, and real-options analysis) to quantify contract value, price-risk exposure, volume risk, counterparty credit risk, and basis differentials.
• Design and optimize contract structures, including pricing formulas (oil-linked, gas-indexed, S-curve, fixed-price), take-or-pay provisions, destination flexibility, cargo diversion rights, make-good mechanisms, and pipeline tolling / ship-or-pay terms.
• Monitor and leverage global and regional market fundamentals for crude oil (WTI, Brent, Dubai, etc.), natural gas (Henry Hub, Waha, other basis), and LNG (TTF, JKM, other derivative markets).
• Develop and run price simulation models (Monte Carlo, Geometric Brownian Motion, Mean-Reverting Processes, and Scenario-Based Forecasting) for crude, natural gas and LNG to assess contract value under various market conditions, volatility regimes, and long-term supply-demand scenarios.
• Support deal negotiation and execution by preparing sensitivity tables, bid curves, risk matrices, and executive-level presentations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Trading, Marketing, Origination, Finance, and Operations teams to align contract terms with portfolio strategy, hedging programs, and corporate risk appetite.
• Continuously improve structuring tools, templates, and analytical frameworks to increase speed and accuracy of deal evaluations.

Required Qualifications

• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Economics, Finance, Energy Commerce, Petroleum Engineering, a quantitative discipline, or foreign equivalent
• 3 or more years of direct experience in commodity contract evaluation, deal structuring, or economic analysis within LNG, natural gas, or crude oil markets.
• Willing and able (with or without reasonable accommodation) to travel 10% of the time on a yearly basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in LNG SPA structuring and offtake agreements and/or long-haul pipeline transportation contracts (crude or natural gas).
• Advanced financial modeling skills in Excel (VBA); experience with Python, R, or Monte Carlo tools is a plus.
• Understanding of energy pricing mechanisms, indexation formulas, and basis differentials across North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to translate complex quantitative analysis into clear, actionable deal recommendations.
• Previous experience at an LNG producer/marketer, major oil company, pipeline operator, commodity trading house, or energy-focused investment bank.

• Previous experience with hybrid pricing structures.
• Professional qualifications such as CFA or FRM.

• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deal-driven environment with tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative team player mindset.
• High integrity and sound business judgment when balancing risk and reward.
• Builds strong relationships based on trust and seeks opportunities to collaborate across the matrix/organizational boundaries to achieve business goals.
• Drives thoughtful and pragmatic change by encouraging innovative thinking and continuous improvement, and models adaptability by responding resourcefully, flexibly, and positively when faced with new challenges and demands.
• Analyzes stakeholder needs, global, political, and market trends to understand how they shape the future and impact our business results.

Apply By:

Apr 16, 2026

Sponsorship:

ConocoPhillips' sponsorship for employment authorization in the U.S. is available for this position.

Benefits Overview

ConocoPhillips offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and career growth:

• Taking Care of Your Health & Wellness : Medical, dental, vision, mental health support, and wellness programs.
• Supporting and Building Financial Security : Competitive base pay, annual performance bonuses, and retirement savings plans.
• Promoting Work-Life Balance : Paid time off, paid parental leave, and family support resources.
• Offering Career Development : Access to training, mentoring, and internal career mobility tools.
• Guiding Recognition & Inclusion : Peer-nominated awards, inclusive culture, and employee resource groups.

Why ConocoPhillips

At ConocoPhillips, we believe our people power the future of energy. We're committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow-professionally and personally.

We don't just offer jobs-we offer meaningful careers in a company that values how we work as much as what we achieve.

EEO:

In the US, ConocoPhillips is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.