1
 Mobil Corp. is preparing to slash the size of its work force in the U.S., possibly as soon as next month, 
5001
span

2
say individuals familiar with the company's strategy.
1
attribution

3
 The size of the cuts isn't known, 
5003
antithesis

4
but they'll be centered in the exploration and production division, 
5003
span

5
which is responsible for locating oil reserves, drilling wells and pumping crude oil and natural gas.
4
elaboration-additional-e

6
 Employees haven't yet been notified.
5011
antithesis

7
 Sources said 
5008
attribution

8
that meetings 
5007
span

9
to discuss the staff reductions 
8
elaboration-object-attribute-e

10
have been scheduled for Friday at Mobil offices in New Orleans and Denver.
5008
Same-Unit

11
 This would be a second round of cuts by Mobil, 
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span

12
which along with other oil producers and refiners reduced its work force by 15% to 20% during the mid-1980s as part of an industrywide shakeout. 
11
elaboration-additional-e

13
Mobil's latest move could signal the beginning of further reductions by other oil companies in their domestic oil-producing operations.
5020
span

14
 In yesterday's third-quarter earnings report, the company alluded to a $40 million provision for restructuring costs 
5017
span

15
involving U.S. exploration and production operations.
14
elaboration-object-attribute-e

16
 The report says 
5019
attribution

17
that the restructuring will take place over a two-year period 
5019
List

18
and will principally involve the transfer and termination of employees in our U.S. operations.
5019
List

19
 A company spokesman, 
5022
span

20
reached at his home last night, 
19
elaboration-additional-e

21
would only say 
5051
Same-Unit

22
that there will be a public announcement of the reduction program by the end of the week.
5052
span

23
 Most oil companies, 
5053
span

24
including Mobil,
23
elaboration-general-specific-e

25
 have been reporting lower third-quarter earnings, largely as a result of lower earnings from chemicals as well as refining and marketing businesses.
5027
Same-Unit

26
 Individuals familiar with Mobil's strategy say 
5030
attribution

27
that Mobil is reducing its U.S. work force 
5030
span

28
because of declining U.S. output.
27
reason

29
 Yesterday, Mobil said 
5033
attribution

30
domestic exploration and production operations had a $16 million loss in the third quarter, 
5033
span

31
while comparable foreign operations earned $234 million.
30
comparison

32
 Industrywide, oil production in this country fell by 500,000 barrels a day to 7.7 million barrels in the first eight months of this year.
5036
span

33
 Daily output is expected to decline by at least another 500,000 barrels next year.
32
evaluation-s

34
 Some Mobil executives were dismayed 
5038
attribution-n

35
that a reference to the cutbacks was included in the earnings report 
5038
span

36
before workers were notified. 
35
temporal-before

37
One Mobil executive said 
5049
attribution

38
that the $40 million charge 
5041
span

39
related to the action 
38
elaboration-object-attribute-e

40
indicates 
5048
Same-Unit

41
a substantial number of people will be involved.
5049
span

42
 Some will likely be offered severance packages 
5055
List

43
while others will be transferred to overseas operations.
5055
List

5001
span
5011
span

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span
5001
elaboration-general-specific

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span
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span

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span



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span



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span
5012
elaboration-additional

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span
5008
Same-Unit

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multinuc
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span

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span



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span
13
background

5011
span
5012
span

5012
span
5050
span

5013
span



5014
span



5015
span
5029
span

5016
span



5017
span
5021
span

5018
span
5017
elaboration-general-specific

5019
multinuc
5018
span

5020
span
5050
interpretation-s

5021
span
5025
span

5022
span
5051
Same-Unit

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span



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span



5025
span
5028
span

5026
span
5027
Same-Unit

5027
multinuc
5025
circumstance

5028
span
5015
explanation-argumentative

5029
span
5035
span

5030
span
5031
span

5031
span
5034
span

5032
span
5037
Comparison

5033
span
5032
span

5034
span
5029
explanation-argumentative

5035
span
5044
span

5036
span
5037
Comparison

5037
multinuc
5031
evidence

5038
span
5039
span

5039
span
5035
elaboration-additional

5040
span
5044
interpretation-s

5041
span
5048
Same-Unit

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span



5043
span



5044
span
5045
span

5045
span
5054
span

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span



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span



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multinuc
41
attribution

5049
span
5040
span

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span
5015
span

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multinuc
22
attribution

5052
span
5021
comment

5053
span
5026
span

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span



5055
multinuc
5045
means

