8-KLeadership ChangesExhibits & Filings

OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORP /DE/ 8-K Report, Executive Changes (Jul 20, 2007)

Filed July 20, 2007For Securities:OXYOXY-WT

Summary

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) filed an 8-K on July 20, 2007, detailing executive compensation awards granted on July 18, 2007. The awards, under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, are performance-based and designed to align executive pay with company performance. Key components include a Return on Equity Incentive, a Total Shareholder Return Incentive, and a Long-Term Incentive award, with payout structures tied to specific financial metrics and peer comparisons over multi-year periods. Additionally, the filing announces the extension of the employment agreement for Chairman, President, and CEO Dr. Ray R. Irani, extending his term from May 2010 to May 2015. This extension underscores the company's commitment to continuity in its leadership. The compensation awards and leadership extension are significant for investors as they indicate management's long-term alignment with company goals and stability in executive leadership.

Key Highlights

  • 1Grant of performance-based incentive awards to executive officers under the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
  • 2Awards include Return on Equity, Total Shareholder Return, and Long-Term Incentive components, with payouts linked to future company performance.
  • 3Return on Equity awards vest and are payable over a three-year period (July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2010), contingent on cumulative ROE.
  • 4Total Shareholder Return awards are based on a comparison to a peer group of oil and gas companies over a four-year period (July 18, 2007 - July 17, 2011).
  • 5Long-Term Incentive awards vest and are payable in cash over three successive one-year periods.
  • 6Employment agreement for CEO Dr. Ray R. Irani extended from May 2010 to May 2015.
  • 7Specific details provided on target incentive amounts and performance shares for the six highest-paid executives.

Frequently Asked Questions

The company granted three main types of incentive awards: a Return on Equity Incentive (cash-based), a Total Shareholder Return Incentive (equity and cash-settled), and a Long-Term Incentive award (cash-settled). These awards are designed to be performance-based and at-risk, linking compensation to future company performance.

This cash award is based on Occidental Petroleum's cumulative Return on Equity over a three-year performance period (July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2010). A payout is contingent on achieving a cumulative ROE above 33 percent, with a maximum payout of 200 percent of the target incentive for a cumulative ROE of 54 percent or more.

This award is determined by comparing OXY's Total Shareholder Return (TSR) against a defined peer group of companies (including Anadarko, Apache, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon, ExxonMobil, and Shell) over a four-year period (July 18, 2007, to July 17, 2011). Payouts can range from 0% to 150% of target performance shares, payable half in stock and half in cash.

The extension of Dr. Irani's employment agreement from May 2010 to May 2015 signals leadership stability and a long-term commitment to his tenure as Chairman, President, and CEO. This continuity can be viewed positively by investors, suggesting a consistent strategic direction for the company.