Energy Companies Hacked, But They're Not Talking About It (XOM, RDSA.L, BP, MRO, BHI, COP)

Six U.S. and European energy companies were subject to an attack by hackers working from internet servers in China. The companies targeted include: Exxon Mobil XOM, Royal Dutch Shell RDSA, BP BP, Marathon Oil MRO, Baker Hughes BHI and ConocoPhillips COP. Cyber-security giant McAfee MFE reported two weeks ago that the hackers, dubbed “Night Dragon,” were responsible for the loss of “project-financing information with regard to oil and gas field bids and operations,” according to the report. It is also reported that hackers went undetected for over a year in some cases. Interestingly enough, none of the six companies listed disclosed the event to regulators. Baker Hughes determined that the incident did not need to be disclosed because it was immaterial information to investors. Specific information targeted were topographical maps which show the locations of potential oil reserves. Given that this is the nature of their business, and the knowledge of where to pump for oil equates to earnings, investors may very well disagree with Baker Hughes' opinion of immateriality. Regardless of this release of information, four of the six companies hacked were trading above yesterday's close during pre-market trading. BP is at $47.84 in pre-market trading, up from a close of $47.58. Exxon Mobil is now at 87.83, up from a close of 87.07. Royal Dutch Shell is up from 70.92 to 71.42 in pre-market trading. And ConocoPhillips is up almost a dollar from a close of 78.57 to 79.40. However, Baker Hughes is trading down from $70.53 to $70.40 and Marathon Oil is also down, but barely, from $49.18 to $49.16. Seeing as the stock prices have not moved significantly, perhaps Baker Hughes was right; the information would be immaterial to investors. The question remains, will this loss of information be a significant hindrance to the future plans of these energy giants?