The following table shows additional detail regarding reserves for CERCLA or CERCLA-equivalent proceedings in which OPC or certain of its subsidiaries were involved at March 31, 2006 ($ amounts in millions):
Refer to the “Environmental Expenditures” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2005 Form 10-K for additional information regarding Occidental’s environmental expenditures.
OPC and certain of its subsidiaries have been named in a substantial number of lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings. These actions seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses; or injunctive or declaratory relief. OPC and certain of its subsidiaries also have been named in proceedings under CERCLA and similar federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws. These environmental proceedings seek funding or performance of remediation and, in some cases, compensation for alleged property damage, punitive damages and civil penalties; however, Occidental is usually one of many companies in these proceedings and has to date been successful in sharing response costs with other financially sound companies. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, including environmental proceedings, Occidental accrues reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.
Since April 2004, Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem), has been served with eight lawsuits filed in Nicaragua by approximately 2,200 individual plaintiffs. These individuals allege that they have sustained several billion dollars of personal injury damages as a result of their alleged exposure to a pesticide. OxyChem is aware of, but has not been served in, 21 additional cases in Nicaragua, which Occidental understands make similar allegations. In the opinion of management, these claims are without merit because, among other things, OxyChem believes that none of the pesticide it manufactured was ever sold or used in Nicaragua. Under the applicable Nicaraguan statute, defendants are required to pay pre-trial deposits so large as to effectively prohibit defendants from participating fully in their defense. In previous situations, involving other defendants, Nicaraguan courts have proceeded to enter significant judgments against the defendants under that statute. OxyChem has filed a response to the complaints contesting jurisdiction without posting such pre-trial deposit. In December 2004, the judge in one of the cases (Osorio Case), ruled the court had jurisdiction over the defendants, including OxyChem, and that the plaintiffs had waived the requirement of the pre-trial deposit. OxyChem has appealed that portion of the ruling relating to the jurisdiction of the Nicaraguan courts. Thereafter, the trial court ordered defendants, including OxyChem, to file an answer. In order to preserve its jurisdictional defense, OxyChem elected not to make a substantive appearance in the Osorio Case. In August 2005, the judge in the Osorio Case entered judgment against several defendants, including OxyChem, for damages totaling approximately $97 million. OxyChem has no assets in Nicaragua and, in the opinion of management, any judgment rendered under the statute, including in the Osorio Case, would be unenforceable in the United States.
In September 2004, Occidental received formal notification that Petroecuador, the state oil company of Ecuador, was initiating proceedings to determine if Occidental had violated either its Participation Contract for Block 15 or the Ecuadorian Hydrocarbons Law and whether the alleged violations constitute grounds for terminating the Participation Contract. In August 2005, Petroecuador issued a report recommending that the Minister of Energy declare the
termination of Occidental’s Participation Contract for Block 15. The principal allegation stated in the notice and the Petroecuador report is an assertion that Occidental should have obtained government approval for the farmout agreement entered into in 2000. In November 2005, the Minister of Energy, following the procedure set forth in the Ecuadorian Hydrocarbons Law, requested that Occidental respond to the allegations against it. In February 2006, Occidental submitted its response to the Minister of Energy, in which Occidental confirmed its belief that it has complied with all material obligations under the Participation Contract and Ecuadorian law, and that any termination of the contract based upon the stated allegations would be unfounded and would constitute an unlawful expropriation. Occidental has been cooperating with the Ecuadorian authorities in these proceedings, and will continue to strive for an amicable resolution. Occidental currently is unable to determine the outcome of these proceedings, and the potential impact of any negotiated settlement of this dispute is unclear in light of recent legislation discussed below.
The Government of Ecuador enacted legislation on April 25, 2006, that unilaterally alters the fiscal terms contemplated by the participation contracts of foreign oil companies. This legislation requires these companies to pay to the Government at least 50% of the revenue from oil production, above a benchmark price per barrel. Based on its preliminary understanding of this legislation, Occidental believes that the discounted value of future net cash flows from Block 15 will be reduced by approximately half as a result of this legislation but that an impairment of the book value of these assets will not be required. Assuming a Napo Ecuadorian crude oil price of $44 per barrel ($19.50 per barrel less than WTI), which was the approximate average during the first quarter of 2006, Occidental believes the law's implementation would reduce its net income after taxes by approximately $9 for each barrel of Ecuadorian crude oil sold. Implementing regulations may impact these assets further. Occidental believes that this law violates the United States-Ecuador bilateral investment treaty and the terms of Occidental’s Block 15 Participation Contract. Several Ecuadorian legal experts have also indicated that this legislation violates Ecuador’s Constitution. Occidental is evaluating potential legal actions with respect to this legislation.
Block 15 operations represent approximately 7 percent of Occidental's first quarter 2006 worldwide production, 3 percent of its pro-forma proved consolidated reserves including the Vintage acquisition, and 2 percent of its total property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, at March 31, 2006.
During the course of its operations, Occidental is subject to audit by tax authorities for varying periods in various federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions. Taxable years prior to 2001 are generally closed for U.S. federal corporate income tax purposes. Corporate tax returns for taxable years 2001 through 2003 are in various stages of audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Disputes arise during the course of such audits as to facts and matters of law.
Occidental has guarantees outstanding at March 31, 2006, which encompass performance bonds, letters of credit, indemnities, commitments and other forms of guarantees provided by Occidental to third parties, mainly to provide assurance that Occidental and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates will meet their various obligations (guarantees). At March 31, 2006, the notional amount of the guarantees that are subject to the reporting requirements of FIN 45 was approximately $530 million. Of this amount, approximately $445 million relates to Occidental’s guarantees of equity investees’ debt and other commitments. The remaining $85 million relates to various indemnities and guarantees provided to third parties.
It is impossible at this time to determine the ultimate liabilities that OPC and its subsidiaries may incur resulting from any lawsuits, claims and proceedings, audits, commitments, contingencies and related matters. If these matters were to be ultimately resolved unfavorably at amounts substantially exceeding Occidental’s reserves, an outcome not currently anticipated, it is possible that such outcome could have a material adverse effect upon Occidental’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, after taking into account reserves, management does not expect the ultimate resolution of any of these matters to have a material adverse effect upon Occidental’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Accounting Changes
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and 140.” This Statement provides new accounting guidance for embedded
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derivatives and other issues. SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Occidental is currently assessing the effect of SFAS No. 155 on its financial statements.
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140.” SFAS No. 156 amends SFAS No. 140 with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. SFAS No. 156 is effective for all servicing assets and servicing liabilities recognized and measured after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. SFAS No. 156 is not expected to have a material effect on Occidental’s financial statements.
In April 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FIN 46(R)-6, “Determining the Variability to be Considered in Applying FASB Interpretation No. 46(R).” FSP FIN 46(R)-6 provides further accounting guidance in assessing whether an entity is subject to the accounting requirements of FIN 46(R). FSP FIN 46(R)-6 is effective for all entities with which an enterprise becomes involved and all existing entities when a reconsideration event has occurred, in each case, at the beginning of the first reporting period that starts after June 15, 2006. Occidental is currently assessing the effect of FIN 46(R)-6 on its financial statements.
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Outlook and Forward-Looking Information
Portions of this report contain forward-looking statements and involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect expected results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and business prospects. Factors that could cause results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: exploration risks such as drilling unsuccessful wells; global commodity pricing fluctuations; changes in tax rates; higher-than-expected costs; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations and litigation; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; general domestic and international political conditions; potential disruption or interruption of Occidental’s production or manufacturing facilities due to accidents, political events or insurgent activity; potential failure to achieve expected production from existing and future oil and gas development projects; the supply/demand considerations for Occidental’s products; any general economic recession or slowdown domestically or internationally; regulatory uncertainties; and not successfully completing, or any material delay of, any development of new fields, expansion, capital expenditure, efficiency-improvement project, acquisition or disposition. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate”, “project”, “predict”, “will”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “expect” or similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Unless legally required, Occidental does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Certain risks that may affect Occidental’s results of operations and financial position appear in Part 1, Item 1A of Occidental’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
For the three months ended March 31, 2006, there were no material changes in the information required to be provided under Item 305 of Regulation S-K included under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Incorporating Item 7A) – Derivative Activities and Market Risk” in Occidental’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Occidental's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer supervised and participated in Occidental's evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Occidental's periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Based upon that evaluation, Occidental's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Occidental's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
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There has been no change in Occidental's internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Occidental's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
This item incorporates by reference the information regarding lawsuits, claims, commitments, contingencies and related matters in Note 9 to the consolidated condensed financial statements in Part I of this Form 10-Q.
Item 2. Share Repurchase Activities
Occidental’s share repurchase activities for each of the three months ended March 31, 2006, were as follows:
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (b) | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
January 1 – 31, 2006 | | 120,170 | (a) | | 90.90 | | — | | — |
February 1 – 28, 2006 | | 300,000 | (b) | | 91.42 | | 300,000 | | 14,000,000 |
March 1 – 31, 2006 | | 1,991,770 | (a,b) | | 91.89 | | 1,905,400 | | 12,094,600 |
Total | | 2,411,940 | | | 91.79 | | 2,205,400 | | |
(a) | Occidental purchased 120,170 shares in January and 86,370 shares in March from the trustee of its defined contribution savings plan. |
(b) | In 2006, Occidental announced a common stock repurchase plan for an intermediate target total of approximately 30,000,000 shares. The Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases of 14,300,000 shares of this intermediate target total. Occidental purchased 300,000 shares in February and 1,905,400 shares in March under this program. |
Item 6. Exhibits
10.1 | Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Award for Non-Employee Directors under the Occidental Petroleum Corporation 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan. |
11 | Statement regarding the computation of earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. |
12 | Statement regarding the computation of total enterprise ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2005. |
31.1 | Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2 | Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1 | Certifications of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION | |
DATE: May 3, 2006 | /s/ Jim A. Leonard | |
| Jim A. Leonard, Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting and Duly Authorized Officer) | |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBITS | |
10.1 | Form of Grant Agreement for Restricted Stock Award for Non-Employee Directors under the Occidental Petroleum Corporation 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan. |
11 | Statement regarding the computation of earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. |
12 | Statement regarding the computation of total enterprise ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2005. |
31.1 | Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2 | Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1 | Certifications of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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