1 EXHIBIT 12.1 COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------- 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Pretax income.......................... $26,983 $211,983 $253,327 $379,039 $269,302 Fixed charges: Interest expense..................... 30,506 28,721 50,379 49,858 46,850 Preferred stock dividends of a subsidiary........................ 1,681 Capitalized debt cost................ 1,536 1,452 1,486 1,332 1,226 Interest portion of rent expense..... 2,777 3,170 3,126 2,928 3,270 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges.......... 36,500 33,343 54,991 54,118 51,346 Less: Capitalized interest, net........ 4,623 1,464 4,845 8,690 27,270 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 31,877 31,879 50,146 45,428 24,076 Earnings before fixed charges.......... $58,860 $243,862 $303,473 $424,467 $293,378 ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges..... 1.61(1) 7.31 5.52 7.84 5.71(2) - --------------- (1) During 1993, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to depreciation, depletion and amortization of $103 million pretax ($48 million after-tax) for the write-down of its investment in the U.K. North Sea's Piper field. Excluding the effect of the piper write-down, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for 1993 would have been 4.45. (2) The 1997 pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges would be 4.96 as calculated below: 1997 fixed charges per above................................ $51,346 Pro forma adjustments Bond interest requirements............................. 10,946 Estimated decrease in interest expense due to refinancing........................................... (3,200) ------- Total pro forma fixed charges............................. $59,092 ======= Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges.............. 4.96 ======= The pro forma adjustments give effect to the issuance of bonds at an annual effective interest rate of 7.3956% and the application of a portion of the proceeds to the reduction of debt under the uncommitted and unsecured lines of credit, as if such transaction had taken place January 1, 1997. 2 COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------------------------- 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Pretax income............................ $26,983 $211,983 $253,327 $379,039 $269,302 Fixed charges Interest expense....................... 30,506 28,721 50,379 49,858 46,850 Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary.......................... 1,681 Capitalized debt cost.................. 1,536 1,452 1,486 1,332 1,226 Interest portion of rent expense....... 2,777 3,170 3,126 2,928 3,270 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges............ 36,500 33,343 54,991 54,118 51,346 Less: Capitalized interest, net........ 4,623 1,464 4,845 8,690 27,270 ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 31,877 31,879 50,146 45,428 24,076 Earnings before fixed charges............ $58,860 $243,862 $303,473 $424,467 $293,378 ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges....... 1.61(1) 7.31 5.52 7.84 5.71(2) - --------------- (1) During 1993, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to depreciation, depletion and amortization of $103 million pretax ($48 million after-tax) for the write-down of its investment in the U.K. North Sea's Piper Field. Excluding the effect of the piper write-down, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for 1993 would have been 4.45. (2) The 1997 pro form a ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends would be 3.49 as calculated below: 1997 fixed charges per above................................ $51,346 Pro forma adjustments Preferred stock dividend requirements.................. 12,495 Ratio of 1997 pretax income to net income.............. 2.0 ------ Preferred stock dividend factor........................ 24,990 Bond interest requirements............................. 10,946 Estimated decrease in interest expense due to refinancing........................................... (3,200) ------- Total pro forma combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.............................................. $84,082 ======= Pro forma ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.............................. 3.49 ======= The pro forma adjustments give effect to preferred stock dividends as a result of the issuance of $175 million of the preferred stock at an annual dividend rate of 7.14% and the issuance of bonds at an annual effective interest rate of 7.3956% and the application of a portion of the proceeds to the reduction of debt under the revolving credit facility and the uncommitted and unsecured lines of credit, as if such transactions had taken place January 1, 1997.