ConocoPhillips’ shrink-to-grow strategy is doing more than benefitting the company and its shareholders. It turns out the architect of the programme, Jim Mulva, Conoco’s chief executive (pictured), got a 25 per cent increase in total compensation to $17.9m in 2010.

While it is difficult for an outsider to put a dollar amount on Mr Mulva’s value, the turnround he has staged since the economic downturn exposed weaknesses in his acquisition spree is worth noting.

In early 2009, the US’ third biggest oil and gas company by production and market capitalisation, disclosed a 2008 fourth-quarter net loss of $31.8bn; a $34bn writedown; 1,300 in job losses; and a $2.8bn cut in capital spending.