11-K
Table of Contents

 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 11-K

þ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission file number 1-1204

AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

(Full title of the Plan)

AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

1185 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, N. Y. 10036

(Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the Plan

and the address of its principal executive office)

 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
SIGNATURES
REX-23: REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS
AND
STOCK BONUS PLAN

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2004

 


Table of Contents

AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

                 
    December 31,  
    2004     2003  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Investments, at fair value
               
Fidelity funds
  $ 141,746,553     $ 106,364,635  
Amerada Hess Corporation common stock
    94,383,919       68,835,158  
Short-term investment funds
    684,160       333,843  
 
           
 
    236,814,632       175,533,636  
Loans receivable
    5,935,682       4,836,351  
Interest and dividends receivable
    342,802       385,960  
Employer contributions receivable
    3,000        
 
           
Total assets available for benefits
  $ 243,096,116     $ 180,755,947  
 
           

See notes to financial statements.

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Investment income
               
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
  $ 45,933,071     $ 13,698,023  
Distributions from Fidelity funds
    2,846,420       1,430,144  
Dividends
    1,470,382       1,490,949  
Interest
    292,864       296,587  
 
           
 
    50,542,737       16,915,703  
Employee contributions
    17,291,155       15,639,173  
Employer contributions
    12,511,063       11,428,982  
Rollovers from other plans
    1,216,841       523,621  
Administrative fees on employee loans
    (41,549 )     (33,005 )
Transfers from (to) other plans, net
    434,324       (89,711 )
 
           
 
    81,954,571       44,384,763  
Less withdrawals
    19,614,402       11,988,081  
 
           
Increase in assets
    62,340,169       32,396,682  
Total assets available for benefits at beginning of year
    180,755,947       148,359,265  
 
           
 
               
Total assets available for benefits at end of year
  $ 243,096,116     $ 180,755,947  
 
           

See notes to financial statements.

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

     NOTE 1—The significant accounting policies of the Amerada Hess Corporation Employees’ Savings and Stock Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) are summarized below.

     Valuation of Investments. The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value. Fidelity fund values are determined based on net asset values. Amerada Hess Corporation common stock values are based on the closing market prices on the New York Stock Exchange. Short-term investment values are based on redemption values.

     Loans Receivable. Participant loans are valued at their outstanding balances.

     Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income is recorded to participant accounts as earned.

     Sale of Investments. Gains or losses on sales of Amerada Hess Corporation common stock are based on actual cost. Gains or losses on sales of Fidelity funds are based on average cost.

     Master Trust. The Amerada Hess Corporation Master Trust for Employees’ Savings Plans (the “Master Trust”) was established to combine under one agreement the assets of the Plan and the assets of the Amerada Hess Corporation Savings and Stock Bonus Plan for Retail Operations Employees (the “Retail Plan”). The trustee maintains separate accounts for each participant to allocate the assets and income of the Master Trust to each of the plans.

     Estimates. In preparing financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

DESCRIPTION OF PLAN:

     The following description of the Plan is provided for general information only. For more detailed information, participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description or contact their local Human Resources Department or the Human Resources Service Center.

     NOTE 2—General. The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering eligible employees of Amerada Hess Corporation (the “Company”). Employees are eligible to enroll in the plan upon hire. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

     NOTE 3—Contributions. At the election of each participating employee, pre-tax amounts contributed under the Plan (from 1% to 25% of compensation) are invested by Fidelity Management Trust Company, as Trustee and Custodian of the Plan, in one or more of seventeen Fidelity funds with varying investment objectives or in the Amerada Hess Corporation Common Stock Fund (see Note 4 below). Compensation taken into account under the Plan was limited by law to $205,000 in 2004 and to $200,000 in 2003. In 2005 the limit will be $210,000. Before-tax contributions were limited by law to $13,000 in 2004 and $12,000 in 2003. The limit for 2005 will be $14,000.

     Employees who attained age 50 by December 31, were eligible to make a separate before-tax “catch-up” contribution of $3,000 during 2004 and $2,000 during 2003. Catch-up contributions are not eligible for matching company contributions and can be made in addition to regular contributions. In 2005 catch-up contributions up to $4,000 will be allowed for employees who attain age 50 by the end of the year.

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

     The employer contributed 100% of participants’ contributions up to 6% of eligible compensation while the participants were contributing to the Plan. Employer contributions were not made after participants contributions reached the legal limits of $13,000 and $12,000 in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Employees may direct 50% of the employer’s matching contributions to any of the Plan’s investment funds. However, those employees age 55 and older may direct 100% of the employer contributions to any of the Plan’s investment funds.

     NOTE 4—Participant Accounts. Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocations of the Company contribution and Plan earnings. Amounts are contributed to each of the Plan’s investment funds in the proportion designated by each employee, in increments of 1% of the amount contributed. A participant may change investment designations for future contributions or reallocate existing investments to different funds on a daily basis.

     The Trustee does not receive compensation from the Plan. Such compensation and other administrative costs are paid by the Company, except for administrative fees on employee loans, which are charged to participants’ accounts with outstanding loans.

     Following are the investment choices for amounts contributed:

          Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio

          Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund

          Fidelity Asset Manager

          Fidelity U.S. Equity Index Commingled Pool

          Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio

          Fidelity Overseas Fund

          Fidelity Aggressive Growth Fund

          Fidelity Freedom Funds (New funds effective May 2004) *

          Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund (Closed to new participants as of July 30, 2004)

          Amerada Hess Corporation Common Stock Fund

          *Nine separate Life Cycle funds based on various retirement years.

     Descriptions and information concerning investment objectives and risk on the above funds are included in the Summary Plan Description or in brochures that were sent to eligible participants. Approximately 1% of the Amerada Hess Corporation Common Stock Fund is held in short-term investment funds to facilitate daily transactions.

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

     NOTE 5—Vesting. Interest in the Plan attributable to participant and employer contributions shall at all times be vested.

     NOTE 6—Participant Loans. Participants may borrow up to 50% of their entire vested account balance, including their Company matching account, with a minimum of $500 up to a maximum of $50,000. Participants may have two concurrent loans. The total of the loans cannot exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the participant’s account balance. Their vested interests in the Plan serve as collateral for the loans. Loans are amortized in level payments over a period of not more than five years, or not more than 30 years if borrowed for the purpose of acquiring a principal residence, and are repaid with interest at 1% above the prime rate determined at the time the loan is made. Loan origination fees of $35.00 and annual maintenance fees of $15.00 are charged to Plan accounts of participants who borrow from the Plan.

     NOTE 7—Rollovers From Other Plans. Employees may deposit an eligible rollover distribution made by a qualified plan of another employer. They may also rollover a distribution from an individual retirement account whose assets were derived solely from the rollover from a qualified plan of another employer. Rollovers are accepted in cash only and are invested according to the participant’s current fund election for contributions. An employee who is not contributing to the Plan must elect investment options at the time of the rollover. The current market values of amounts rolled over to the Plan can be withdrawn in whole or in part at any time.

     NOTE 8—Payment of Benefits. Upon a total withdrawal or distribution, an employee’s investments in the Fidelity funds are paid in cash. The employee’s investments in the Amerada Hess Corporation Common Stock Fund are distributed either in whole shares of stock of Amerada Hess Corporation (plus the cash equivalent of any fractional shares) or in cash, depending upon the employee’s election.

     Voluntary complete withdrawals from before-tax contribution accounts are permitted only after attainment of age 591/2, except that withdrawals of before-tax accounts are permitted in the case of hardship. Generally only employee after-tax contributions and employer contributions made prior to January 1, 2002 are eligible for withdrawal by active employees under age 591/2. Terminated employees may withdraw their entire balance at any time.

     Partial withdrawals are distributed in cash on a pro rata basis as to the employee’s after-tax contributions in each of the Fidelity funds and the Amerada Hess Corporation Common Stock Fund. Participants who attain age 591/2 also may withdraw from their before-tax contribution accounts. These withdrawals also are distributed in cash on a pro rata basis as to the employee’s before-tax contributions in each fund.

     Employees may elect direct rollovers of the taxable portion of their distributions to an individual retirement account, individual retirement annuity or a qualified plan of another employer. Eligible distributions that are not rolled over are subject to federal income tax withholding at 20% and may be subject to an additional 10% tax.

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

INVESTMENTS:

     NOTE 9—The following presents investments that represent 5 percent or more of the Plan’s assets:

                 
    December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Amerada Hess Corporation common stock, 1,145,714 and 1,294,624 shares, respectively
  $ 94,383,919 *   $ 68,835,158 *
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio, 1,104,665 and 1,011,173 shares, respectively
    42,209,260       36,028,076  
Fidelity Asset Manager, 914,272 and 793,299 shares, respectively
    14,820,342       12,502,391  
Fidelity U. S. Equity Index Commingled Pool, 423,655 and 377,650 shares, respectively
    15,853,186       12,753,235  
Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio, 20,338,493 and 13,801,578 shares, respectively
    20,338,493       13,801,578  
Fidelity Aggressive Growth Fund, 687,219 and 645,659 shares, respectively
    11,407,843       9,639,692  
Fidelity U. S. Bond Index Fund, 1,050,250 and 839,337 shares, respectively
    11,699,789       9,392,183  
Fidelity Low — Priced Stock Fund, 379,970 and 215,892 shares, respectively
    15,293,791       7,551,903  
 
* Includes nonparticipant-directed investments.

     NOTE 10—During 2004 and 2003 the value of the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) as follows:

                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Amerada Hess Corporation common stock
  $ 37,601,637     $ (953,898 )
Fidelity funds
    8,331,434       14,651,921  
 
           
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
  $ 45,933,071     $ 13,698,023  
 
           

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

NONPARTICIPANT-DIRECTED INVESTMENTS:

     NOTE 11—Information about the assets and the components of the changes in assets relating to the nonparticipant-directed investments (amounts contributed by the employer in the Amerada Hess Corporation Common Stock Fund) is as follows:

                 
    December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Assets:
               
Amerada Hess Corporation common stock
  $ 35,233,800     $ 24,530,028  
Short-term investment funds
    255,370       118,968  
Interest and dividends receivable
    127,969       137,540  
Employer contributions receivable
    1,500        
 
           
 
  $ 35,618,639     $ 24,786,536  
 
           
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Changes in Assets:
               
Dividend income
  $ 693,338     $ 531,313  
Interest income on participant loans
    49,667       47,468  
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of assets
    14,036,804       (339,930 )
Employer contributions
    5,093,341       4,113,400  
Participant loan withdrawals
    (650,336 )     (387,346 )
Participant loan repayments
    343,948       285,262  
Administrative fees on employee loans
    (6,871 )     (5,493 )
Transfers to other plans, net
    (6,160 )     (66,477 )
Transfers to participant-directed investments
    (6,020,639 )     (258,677 )
Withdrawals
    (2,700,989 )     (1,137,711 )
 
           
Increase in assets
  $ 10,832,103     $ 2,781,809  
 
           

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

OTHER ITEMS:

     NOTE 12—Plan Termination. Although it has not expressed any intention to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.

     NOTE 13—Tax Status. The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated September 16, 2003, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. The Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.

     NOTE 14—Transfers to and from Other Plans. During 2004 and 2003 certain employee account balances were transferred from or to the Retail Plan and the HOVENSA Employees’ Savings Plan due to job changes and job transfers.

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AMERADA HESS CORPORATION

EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK BONUS PLAN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

INVESTMENTS IN MASTER TRUST:

     NOTE 15—The Master Trust covers the Plan and the Retail Plan. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Plan’s interest in the assets of the Master Trust was 97.5% and 97.0%, respectively. The changes in the assets of the Master Trust are based on the combined changes in the assets of the Plan and the Retail Plan.

     The following table represents the fair value of investments held in the Master Trust:

                 
    December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Amerada Hess Master Trust investments:
               
Investments, at fair value
       
Fidelity Funds
  $ 145,463,761     $ 110,197,932  
Amerada Hess Corporation common stock
    96,828,546       70,529,261  
Short-term investment funds
    701,861       342,067  
Loans receivable
    6,106,094       4,974,104  
Interest and dividends receivable
    351,681       395,459  
Employer contributions receivable
    3,000        
 
           
Total assets available for benefits
  $ 249,454,943     $ 186,438,823  
 
           

     The changes in the assets of the Master Trust are as follows:

                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2004     2003  
Investment income
  $ 4,720,200     $ 3,326,810  
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
    47,030,072       14,041,323  
Employee contributions
    17,759,364       16,111,906  
Employer contributions
    12,815,828       11,732,477  
Rollovers from other plans
    1,216,841       553,838  
Administrative fees on employee loans
    (46,281 )     (36,959 )
Transfers from (to) other plans, net
    276,482       (175,483 )
Withdrawals
    (20,756,386 )     (12,742,820 )
 
           
Net increase
    63,016,120       32,811,092  
Total assets available for benefits at beginning of year
    186,438,823       153,627,731  
 
           
 
               
Total assets available for benefits at end of year
  $ 249,454,943     $ 186,438,823  
 
           

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

AMERADA HESS CORPORATION EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLANS COMMITTEE AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE
AMERADA HESS CORPORATION EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS
AND STOCK BONUS PLAN:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets available for benefits of the Amerada Hess Corporation Employees’ Savings and Stock Bonus Plan as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statement of changes in assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the changes in its assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

(ERNST AND YOUNG LLP SIGNATURE)

New York, New York
June 21, 2005

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SIGNATURES

     The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Amerada Hess Corporation Employee Benefit Plans Committee has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

         
 
      AMERADA HESS CORPORATION
 
      EMPLOYEES’ SAVINGS AND STOCK
 
      BONUS PLAN
 
       
 
      /s/ K. B. Wilcox
 
       
 
      By: K. B. Wilcox
 
      Vice President and Member of the
 
      Amerada Hess Corporation
 
      Employee Benefit Plans Committee

June 24, 2005