Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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The following is a description of reportable legal proceedings, including those involving governmental authorities under federal, state and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment for this reporting period. The following proceedings include those matters that arose during the fourth quarter of 2018, as well as matters previously reported in our 2017 Form 10-K and our first-, second- and third-quarter 2018 Form 10-Qs that were not resolved prior to the fourth quarter of 2018. Material developments to the previously reported matters have been included in the descriptions below. While it is not possible to accurately predict the final outcome of these pending proceedings, if any one or more of such proceedings were to be decided adversely to ConocoPhillips, we expect there would be no material effect on our consolidated financial position. Nevertheless, such proceedings are reported pursuant to SEC regulations.

On April 30, 2012, the separation of our downstream business was completed, creating two independent energy companies: ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66. In connection with the separation, we entered into an Indemnification and Release Agreement, which provides for cross-indemnities between Phillips 66 and us and established procedures for handling claims subject to indemnification and related matters, such as legal proceedings. We have included matters where we remain or have subsequently become a party to a proceeding relating to Phillips 66, in accordance with SEC regulations. We do not expect any of those matters to result in a net claim against us.

Matters Previously Reported—Phillips 66

In May 2012, the Illinois Attorney General’s office filed and notified ConocoPhillips of a complaint with respect to operations at the Phillips 66 WRB Wood River Refinery alleging violations of the Illinois groundwater standards and a third-party’s hazardous waste permit. The complaint seeks remediation of area groundwater; compliance with the hazardous waste permit; enhanced pipeline and tank integrity measures; additional spill reporting; and yet-to-be specified amounts for fines and penalties.

Matters Previously Reported—ConocoPhillips

On June 28, 2018, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a Proposed Agreed Order to ConocoPhillips Company to resolve alleged violations of the Texas Health & Safety Code and/or Commission Rules occurring in 2015 through 2017 at a formerly owned gas injection plant in Howard County, Texas, through the payment of a penalty of $457,750 and the implementation of measures designed to prevent a reoccurrence. The company will work with the Commission to promptly resolve this matter.