Occidental Petroleum 10-K 2017-12-31

10-K 1 oxy10k12-31x2017.htm 10-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

Commission File Number 1-9210

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act: (Note: Checking the box will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections). Yes ¨ No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period as the registrant was required to submit and post files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. (See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2) Yes ¨ No þ

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $45.8 billion, computed by reference to the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape of $59.87 per share of Common Stock on June 30, 2017. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer and director have been excluded from this computation in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of potential affiliate status is not a conclusive determination for other purposes.

At January 31, 2018, there were 765,148,694 shares of Common Stock outstanding, par value $0.20 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its May 4, 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, are incorporated by reference into Part III.

Part I

ITEMS 1 AND 2 BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

In this report, "Occidental" means Occidental Petroleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation (OPC) incorporated in 1986, or OPC and one or more entities in which it owns a controlling interest (subsidiaries). Occidental conducts its operations through various subsidiaries and affiliates. Occidental’s executive offices are located at 5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 110, Houston, Texas 77046; telephone (713) 215-7000.

GENERAL

Occidental’s principal businesses consist of three segments. The oil and gas segment explores for, develops and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. The chemical segment (OxyChem) mainly manufactures and markets basic chemicals and vinyls. The midstream and marketing segment gathers, processes, transports, stores, purchases and markets oil, condensate, NGLs, natural gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) and power. It also trades around its assets, including transportation and storage capacity. Additionally, the midstream and marketing segment operates a crude oil export terminal, as well as invests in entities that conduct similar activities.

For information regarding Occidental's segments, geographic areas of operation and current developments, including strategies and actions related thereto, see the information in the "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" (MD&A) section of this report and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS

General

Occidental’s domestic upstream oil and gas operations are located in New Mexico and Texas. International operations are located in Colombia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Proved Reserves and Sales Volumes

The table below shows Occidental’s total oil, NGLs and natural gas proved reserves and sales volumes in 2017, 2016 and 2015. See "MD&A — Oil and Gas Segment," and the information under the caption "Supplemental Oil and Gas Information" for certain details regarding Occidental’s proved reserves, the reserves estimation process, sales and production volumes, production costs and other reserves-related data.

Competition

As a producer of oil and condensate, NGLs and natural gas, Occidental competes with numerous other domestic and foreign private and government producers. Oil, NGLs and natural gas are commodities that are sensitive to prevailing global and local, current and anticipated market conditions. Occidental competes for transportation capacity and infrastructure for the delivery of its products, which are sold at current market prices or on a forward basis to refiners and other market participants. Occidental’s competitive strategy relies on increasing production through developing conventional and unconventional fields, utilizing primary and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques and strategic acquisitions in areas where Occidental has a competitive advantage as a result of its current successful operations or investments in shared infrastructure. Occidental also competes to develop and produce its worldwide oil and gas reserves cost-effectively, maintain a skilled workforce and obtain quality services.

Comparative Oil and Gas Proved Reserves and Sales Volumes

Oil, which includes condensate, and NGLs are in millions of barrels; natural gas is in billions of cubic feet (Bcf); barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) are in millions.

Note: The detailed proved reserves information presented in accordance with Item 1202(a)(2) to Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) is provided under the heading "Supplemental Oil and Gas Information". Proved reserves are stated on a net basis after applicable royalties.

CHEMICAL OPERATIONS

General

OxyChem owns and operates manufacturing plants at 22 domestic sites in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas and at two international sites in Canada and Chile. In early 2014, OxyChem, through a 50/50 joint venture with Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V., broke ground on a 1.2 billion pound-per-year ethylene cracker at the OxyChem Ingleside facility. The cracker began commercial operations in the first quarter of 2017. OxyChem completed construction on the previously announced expansion of its manufacturing plant in Geismar, Louisiana, on budget and on time. In December 2017, the new facility began producing 4CPe, a new raw

material used in making next-generation, climate-friendly refrigerants with a low global-warming and zero ozone-depletion potential.

Competition

OxyChem competes with numerous other domestic and foreign chemical producers. OxyChem’s market position was first or second in the United States (U.S.) in 2017 for the principal basic chemicals products it manufactures and markets as well as for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). OxyChem ranks in the top three producers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the United States. OxyChem’s competitive strategy is to be a low-cost producer of its products in order to compete on price.

OxyChem produces the following products:

(a) Amount is gross production capacity for 50/50 joint venture with Mexichem.

MIDSTREAM AND MARKETING OPERATIONS

General

Occidental's midstream and marketing operations primarily support and enhance its oil and gas and chemicals businesses and also provide similar services for third parties.

In 2017, Occidental became the largest exporter of Permian light sweet crude from the U.S. Gulf Coast. The export market for crude has developed since the lifting of the export ban in 2016. While U.S. producers have increased production of light crude, U.S. refineries are constrained in their ability to process incremental volumes of light crude without significant incremental capital investment, necessitating exports to international markets. Occidental owns and operates a crude oil terminal at Ingleside in the Port of Corpus Christi. Occidental believes it is the premier crude oil terminal on the U.S. Gulf Coast due to its logistical benefits, high loading rate and access to sizable quantities of consistent quality Permian crude oil. In response to the increase in Permian production and the need to export these barrels, Occidental is expanding its Ingleside Crude Terminal to approximately 750,000 barrels per day of capacity and 6.8 million barrels of storage which is expected to be operational by the end of 2019. Occidental is also expanding the facility to be capable of

loading very large crude carrier (VLCC) size vessels by the fourth quarter of 2018.

Competition

Occidental's midstream and marketing businesses operate in competitive and highly regulated markets. Occidental's Ingleside Crude Terminal and domestic pipeline businesses compete with other midstream companies to provide transportation services. The competitive strategy of Occidental's domestic pipeline business is to ensure that its pipeline and gathering systems connect various production areas to multiple market locations. Transportation rates are regulated and tariff-based. Occidental's Ingleside Crude Terminal business is to provide terminalling services and access to domestic and international markets for increasing Permian Basin production. Other midstream and marketing operations also support Occidental's domestic and international oil and gas and chemical operations. Occidental's marketing business competes with other market participants on exchange platforms and through other bilateral transactions with direct counterparties. Occidental maximizes the value of its transportation and storage assets by marketing its own and third-party production in the oil and gas business.

The midstream and marketing operations are conducted in the locations described below:

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

For information on capital expenditures, see the information under the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the MD&A section of this report.

EMPLOYEES

Occidental employed approximately 11,000 people at December 31, 2017, 7,000 of whom were located in the U.S. Occidental employed approximately 7,000 people in the oil and gas and midstream and marketing segments and 3,000 people in the chemical segment. An additional 1,000 people were employed in administrative and headquarters functions. Approximately 500 U.S.-based employees and 900 foreign-based employees are represented by labor unions.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

For environmental regulation information, including associated costs, see the information under the heading "Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures" in the MD&A section of this report and "Risk Factors."

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Occidental makes the following information available free of charge on its website at www.oxy.com:

Information contained on Occidental's website is not part of this report.

Volatile global and local commodity pricing strongly affect Occidental’s results of operations.

Occidental's financial results correlate closely to the prices it obtains for its products, particularly oil and, to a lesser extent, natural gas and NGLs, and its chemical products.

Prices for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs fluctuate widely. Historically, the markets for crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and refined products have been volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. If the prices of oil, natural gas, or NGLs continue to be volatile, reverse their recent increases or decline, Occidental's operations, financial condition, cash flows and level of expenditures may be materially and adversely affected.

Prices are set by global and local market forces which are not in Occidental's control. These factors include, among others:

including available transportation capacity and infrastructure constraints in producing areas.

The long-term effects of these and other conditions on the prices of crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and refined products are uncertain. Generally, Occidental's practice is to remain exposed to market prices of commodities; however, management may elect to hedge the price risk of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs in the future.

The prices obtained for Occidental’s chemical products correlate strongly to the health of the United States and global economies, as well as chemical industry expansion and contraction cycles. Occidental also depends on feedstocks and energy to produce chemicals, which are commodities subject to significant price fluctuations.

Occidental may experience delays, cost overruns, losses or other unrealized expectations in development efforts and exploration activities.

Occidental bears the risks of equipment failures, construction delays, escalating costs or competition for services, materials, supplies or labor, property or border disputes, disappointing drilling results or reservoir performance, title problems and other associated risks that may affect its ability to profitably grow production, replace reserves and achieve its targeted returns.

Exploration is inherently risky and is subject to delays, misinterpretation of geologic or engineering data, unexpected geologic conditions or finding reserves of disappointing quality or quantity, which may result in significant losses.

Governmental actions and political instability may affect Occidental’s results of operations.

Occidental’s businesses are subject to the decisions of many federal, state, local and foreign governments and political interests. As a result, Occidental faces risks of:

Occidental's costs or reduce demand for Occidental's products.

In addition, Occidental has and may continue to experience adverse consequences, such as risk of loss or production limitations, because certain of its international operations are located in countries affected by political instability, nationalizations, corruption, armed conflict, terrorism, insurgency, civil unrest, security problems, labor unrest, OPEC production restrictions, equipment import restrictions and sanctions. Exposure to such risks may increase if a greater percentage of Occidental’s future oil and gas production or revenue comes from international sources.

Occidental's oil and gas business operates in highly competitive environments, which affect, among other things, its ability to make acquisitions to grow production and replace reserves.

Results of operations, reserves replacement and growth in oil and gas production depend, in part, on Occidental’s ability to profitably acquire additional reserves. Occidental has many competitors (including national oil companies), some of which: (i) are larger and better funded, (ii) may be willing to accept greater risks or (iii) have special competencies. Competition for reserves may make it more difficult to find attractive investment opportunities or require delay of reserve replacement efforts. In addition, during periods of low product prices, any cash conservation efforts may delay production growth and reserve replacement efforts.

Occidental’s acquisition activities also carry risks that it may: (i) not fully realize anticipated benefits due to less-than-expected reserves or production or changed circumstances, such as declines in crude oil, NGL, and gas prices; (ii) bear unexpected integration costs or experience other integration difficulties; (iii) experience share price declines based on the market’s evaluation of the activity; or (iv) assume liabilities that are greater than anticipated.

Occidental’s oil and gas reserves are estimates based on professional judgments and may be subject to revision.

Reported oil and gas reserves are an estimate based on periodic review of reservoir characteristics and recoverability, including production decline rates, operating performance and economic feasibility at the prevailing commodity prices, assumptions concerning future crude oil and natural gas prices, future operating costs and capital expenditures, and assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The procedures and methods for estimating the reserves by our internal engineers were reviewed by independent petroleum consultants; however, there are inherent uncertainties in estimating reserves. Actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves may vary from estimates, and the variance may be material. If Occidental were required to make significant negative reserve revisions, its results of operations and stock price could be adversely affected. In addition, the discounted cash flows included in this Form 10-K should not be construed as the fair value of the reserves attributable to our properties. The estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves are based on an unweighted 12-month average first-day-of-the-month prices in accordance with SEC regulations. Actual future

prices and costs may differ materially from SEC regulation-compliant prices and costs used for purposes of estimating future discounted net cash flows from proved reserves.

Concerns about climate change and further regulation of greenhouse gas emissions may adversely affect Occidental’s operations or results.

Continuing political and social attention to the issue of climate change has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional and local legislation and regulatory programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These and other government actions relating to greenhouse gas emissions could require Occidental to incur increased operating and maintenance costs, such as costs to purchase and operate emissions control systems, to acquire emissions allowances or comply with new regulatory or reporting requirements, or they could promote the use of alternative sources of energy and thereby decrease demand for oil, natural gas and other products that Occidental’s businesses produce. Any such legislation or regulatory programs could also increase the cost of consuming, and thereby reduce demand for, oil, natural gas and other products produced by Occidental’s businesses. Consequently, government actions designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could have an adverse effect on Occidental’s business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, increasing attention to climate change risks has resulted in an increased possibility of governmental investigations and additional private litigation against Occidental, which could increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business.

It is difficult to predict the timing and certainty of such government actions and the ultimate effect on Occidental, which could depend on, among other things, the type and extent of greenhouse gas reductions required, the availability and price of emissions allowances or credits, the availability and price of alternative fuel sources, the energy sectors covered, and Occidental’s ability to recover the costs incurred through its operating agreements or the pricing of the company’s oil, natural gas and other products.

Occidental’s businesses may experience catastrophic events.

The occurrence of events such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, earthquakes or other acts of nature, well blowouts, fires, explosions, chemical releases, crude oil releases, including maritime releases and releases into navigable waters, material or mechanical failure, industrial accidents, physical attacks and other events that cause operations to cease or be curtailed may negatively affect Occidental’s businesses and the communities in which it operates. Coastal operations are particularly susceptible to disruption from extreme weather events. Third-party insurance may not provide adequate coverage or Occidental may be self-insured with respect to the related losses.

Cyber-attacks could significantly affect Occidental.

Cyber-attacks on businesses have escalated in recent years. Occidental relies on digital systems, related infrastructure, technologies and networks to run its business and to control and manage its oil and gas, chemicals, marketing and pipeline operations. Use of the internet, cloud services and other public networks exposes Occidental’s business and that of other third parties with whom Occidental does business to cyber-attacks that attempt to gain unauthorized access to

data and systems, release confidential information, corrupt data and disrupt critical systems and operations. Even though Occidental has implemented controls and multiple layers of security to mitigate the risks of a cyber-attack that it believes are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such cyber security measures will be sufficient to prevent security breaches of its systems from occurring. Further, Occidental has no control over the comparable systems of the third parties with whom it does business. While Occidental has experienced cyber-attacks in the past, Occidental has not suffered any material losses. However, if in the future Occidental's cyber security measures are compromised or prove insufficient, the potential consequences to Occidental’s businesses and the communities in which it operates could be significant. As cyber-attacks continue to evolve in magnitude and sophistication, Occidental may be required to expend additional resources in order to continue to enhance Occidental's cyber security measures and to investigate and remediate any digital systems, related infrastructure, technologies and network security vulnerabilities.

Occidental's oil and gas reserve additions may not continue at the same rate and a failure to replace reserves may negatively affect Occidental's business.

Unless Occidental conducts successful exploration or development activities, acquires properties containing proved reserves, or both, proved reserves will generally decline. Management expects improved recovery, extensions and discoveries to continue as main sources for reserve additions but factors such as geology, government regulations and permits, and the effectiveness of development plans are partially or fully outside management's control and could cause results to differ materially from expectations.

The ultimate impact of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform) may differ from Occidental's estimates.

Tax Reform was enacted in December 2017 and made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax law, including lowering the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, repealing the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and mandating a deemed repatriation of accumulated earnings and profits of U.S.-owned foreign corporations. Occidental recorded the effects of the changes in the tax law for which the accounting was complete. In accordance with the guidance from the SEC, Occidental recorded a provisional estimate for the federal and state tax associated with the mandatory deemed repatriation and the resulting impact to the net federal deferred tax liability. With regards to the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) and base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT) provisions of the new tax law, Occidental has recorded no tax liability based on preliminary estimates. The ultimate impact of Tax Reform may differ from Occidental’s

estimates due to changes in interpretations and assumptions, as well as additional regulatory guidance. Occidental will adjust provisional amounts as updated information is evaluated.

Other risk factors.

Additional discussion of risks and uncertainties related to price and demand, litigation, environmental matters, oil and gas reserves estimation processes, impairments, derivatives, market risks and internal controls appears under the headings: "MD&A — Oil & Gas Segment — Proved Reserves" and "— Industry Outlook," "— Chemical Segment — Industry Outlook," "— Midstream and Marketing Segment — Industry Outlook," "— Lawsuits, Claims and Contingencies," "— Environmental Liabilities and Expenditures," "— Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates," "— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," and "Management's Annual Assessment of and Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting."

The risks described in this report are not the only risks facing Occidental and other risks, including risks deemed immaterial, may have material adverse effects.

None.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration sent a notice to an OPC subsidiary that it is seeking penalties of $165,900 related to a routine, comprehensive inspection of the subsidiary's records, procedures and facilities, covering a multi-year period. The subsidiary contested the penalties and is awaiting a decision.

In the third quarter of 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration sent a notice to an OPC subsidiary that it is seeking civil penalties related to a crude oil pipeline incident in Scurry County, Texas. The subsidiary is contesting the $122,400 in penalties being sought.

For information regarding other legal proceedings, see the information under the caption "Lawsuits, Claims Commitments and Contingencies" in the MD&A section of this report and in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Not applicable.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The current term of office of each executive officer of Occidental will expire at the May 4, 2018, meeting of the Board of Directors or when a successor is selected. The following table sets forth the executive officers of Occidental:

Part II

TRADING PRICE RANGE AND DIVIDENDS

This section incorporates by reference the quarterly financial data appearing under the caption "Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)" after the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the information appearing under the caption "Liquidity and Capital Resources" in the MD&A section of this report. Occidental’s common stock was held by approximately 24,500 stockholders of record at January 31, 2018, and by approximately 700,000 additional stockholders whose shares were held for them in street name or nominee accounts. The common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The quarterly financial data set forth the range of trading prices for the common stock as reported on the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange and quarterly dividend information.

Dividends declared on the common stock were $0.76 for the first and second quarter of 2017 and $0.77 for the third and fourth quarter ($3.06 for the year). On February 8, 2018, a quarterly dividend of $0.77 per share was declared on the common stock, payable on April 16, 2018, to stockholders of record on March 9, 2018. The current annual dividend rate of $3.08 per share has increased by over 500 percent since 2002. The declaration of future dividends is a business decision made by the Board of Directors from time to time, and will depend on Occidental’s financial condition and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

All of Occidental's stock-based compensation plans for its employees and non-employee directors have been approved by the stockholders. The aggregate number of shares of Occidental common stock authorized for issuance under such plans is approximately 35 million, of which approximately 6.1 million had been reserved for issuance through December 31, 2017. The following is a summary of the securities available for issuance under such plans:

SHARE REPURCHASE ACTIVITIES

Occidental’s share repurchase activities for the year ended December 31, 2017, were as follows:

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in Occidental’s cumulative total return on its common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index (S&P 500), which Occidental is included in, and with that of Occidental’s peer group over the five-year period ended on December 31, 2017. The graph assumes that $100 was invested at the beginning of the five-year period shown in the graph below in: (i) Occidental common stock, (ii) the stock of the companies in the S&P 500, and (iii) each of the peer group companies' common stock weighted by their relative market values within the peer group, and that all dividends were reinvested.

Occidental's peer group consists of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Apache Corporation, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy Corporation, EOG Resources Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, Hess Corporation, Marathon Oil Corporation, Total S.A. and Occidental.

	12/31/2012			12/31/2013			12/31/2014			12/31/2015			12/31/2016			12/31/2017
	$	100		$	128		$	116		$	102		$	112		$	121
		100			122			114			93			117			120
		100			132			150			153			171			208

The information provided in this Performance Graph shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act, other than as provided in Item 201 to Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act except to the extent Occidental specifically requests that it be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference.

FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(in millions, except per-share amounts)

Note: The statements of income and cash flows related to California Resources have been treated as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of California Resources were removed from Occidental's consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2014.

In this report, "Occidental" means Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OPC), or OPC and one or more entities in which it owns a controlling interest (subsidiaries). Occidental's principal businesses consist of three segments. The oil and gas segment explores for, develops and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. The chemical segment (OxyChem) mainly manufactures and markets basic chemicals and vinyls. The midstream and marketing segment gathers, processes, transports, stores, purchases and markets oil, condensate, NGLs, natural gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) and power. It also trades around its assets, including transportation and storage capacity. Additionally, the midstream and marketing segment operates a crude oil export terminal, as well as invests in entities that conduct similar activities.

Occidental's oil and gas assets are located in some of the world’s highest-margin basins and are characterized by an advantaged mix of short- and long-cycle, high-return development opportunities. In the United States, Occidental continues to hold a leading position in the Permian Basin. Other core operations are in the Middle East (Oman, Qatar and UAE) and Latin America (Colombia). Occidental's midstream and marketing business provides access to domestic and international markets through pipeline infrastructure and Occidental's Ingleside Crude Terminal with an emphasis on operational excellence. OxyChem is a world-class chemical business that generates high financial returns.

STRATEGY

General

Occidental is focused on delivering a unique shareholder value proposition through continual enhancements to its asset quality, organizational capability and innovative technical applications that provide competitive advantages. The attributes of Occidental's strategy include its mix of short- and long-cycle investment opportunities, low base production declines, strong financial position and focus on generating shareholder returns through its value-based development approach. Occidental aims to maximize shareholder returns through a combination of:

Occidental conducts its operations with a focus on its social responsibility commitments and initiatives, including health and safety, and environmental stewardship. Capital is employed to operate all assets in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Occidental accepts

commodity, engineering and limited exploration risks. Occidental seeks to limit its financial and political risks.

Price volatility is inherent in the oil and gas business and Occidental’s strategy is to position the business to thrive in an up- or down-cycle commodity price environment. Recent strategic initiatives have resulted in Occidental exiting its non-core areas, including South Texas in 2017, and strengthening its position in areas where Occidental has a competitive advantage and an advantaged asset portfolio. In 2017, Occidental continued to build upon its business, including a growing dividend and production growth at low oil prices. During the year, Occidental's board of directors and management implemented a short-term strategic plan that is intended to maintain production and sustain the dividend at a West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price of $40 per barrel. At $50 WTI, Occidental’s plan anticipates that the business will generate additional capital to cover production growth of 5 to 8 percent, and fulfill Occidental's dividend growth goal. This plan has continued into 2018 and, longer term, Occidental will continue to build upon this low-cost, high-margin value proposition through development and operation of its focused and advantaged assets.

The following describes the application of Occidental’s overall strategy for each of its operating segments:

Oil and Gas

Occidental’s oil and gas segment focuses on long-term value creation and leadership in health, safety and the environment. In each core operating area, Occidental's operations benefit from scale, technical expertise, environmental and safety leadership, and commercial and governmental collaboration. These attributes allow Occidental to bring additional production quickly to market, extend the life of older fields at lower costs, and provide low-cost growth opportunities with advanced technology.

As a result of Occidental's strategic positioning, Occidental's assets provide current production and a future portfolio of projects that are flexible, have short-cycle investment paybacks, deliver a low base decline and provide decades of diverse and unique opportunities to support energy demand across many future scenarios. Together with Occidental's technical capabilities, the oil and gas segment is able to achieve low development and operating costs to obtain full-cycle value while promoting innovative ideas that differentiate Occidental's approach and provide future opportunities.

The oil and gas business implements Occidental's strategy primarily by:

In 2017, oil and gas capital expenditures were approximately $3.0 billion, and were mainly comprised of expenditures in the Permian Basin and the Middle East. This activity reflects Occidental's strategy to focus on achieving returns well above the cost of capital even in a low price environment.

Management believes Occidental's oil and gas segment growth will occur primarily through exploitation and development opportunities in the Permian Basin and Colombia and focused international projects in the Middle East.

Chemical

The primary objective of OxyChem is to generate cash flow in excess of its normal capital expenditure requirements and achieve above-cost-of-capital returns. The chemical segment's strategy is to be a low-cost producer in order to maximize its cash flow generation. OxyChem concentrates on the chlorovinyls chain beginning with chlorine, which is co-produced with caustic soda, and markets both to external customers. In addition, chlorine, together with ethylene, is converted through a series of intermediate products into polyvinyl chloride (PVC). OxyChem's focus on chlorovinyls allows it to maximize the benefits of integration and take advantage of economies of scale. Capital is employed to sustain production capacity in a safe and environmentally sound manner, as well as to focus on projects and developments designed to improve the competitiveness of segment assets. Acquisitions and plant development opportunities may be pursued when they are expected to enhance the existing

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Commodity Price Risk

General

Occidental’s results are sensitive to fluctuations in oil, NGLs and natural gas prices. Price changes at current global prices and levels of production affect Occidental’s pre-tax annual income by approximately $110 million for a $1 per barrel change in oil prices and $30 million for a $1 per barrel change in NGLs prices. If domestic natural gas prices varied by $0.50 per Mcf, it would have an estimated annual effect on Occidental's pre-tax income of approximately $20 million. These price-change sensitivities include the impact of PSC and similar contract volume changes on income. If production levels change in the future, the sensitivity of Occidental’s results to prices also will change. Marketing results are sensitive to price changes of oil, natural gas and, to a lesser degree, other commodities. These sensitivities are additionally dependent on marketing volumes and cannot be predicted reliably.

Occidental’s results are also sensitive to fluctuations in chemical prices. A variation in chlorine and caustic soda prices of $10 per ton would have a pre-tax annual effect on income of approximately $10 million and $30 million, respectively. A variation in PVC prices of $0.01 per lb. would

have a pre-tax annual effect on income of approximately $30 million. Historically, over time, product price changes have tracked raw material and feedstock product price changes, somewhat mitigating the effect of price changes on margins. According to IHS Chemical or Townsend, 2017 average contract prices were: chlorine-$324 per ton; caustic soda-$635 per ton; and PVC-$0.40 per lb.

Occidental uses derivative instruments, including a combination of short-term futures, forwards, options and swaps, to obtain the average prices for the relevant production month and to improve realized prices for oil and gas.

Risk Management

Occidental conducts its risk management activities for marketing and trading under the controls and governance of its risk control policies. The controls under these policies are implemented and enforced by a risk management group which monitors risk by providing an independent and separate evaluation and check. Members of the risk management group report to the Corporate Vice President and Treasurer. Controls for these activities include limits on value at risk, limits on credit, limits on total notional trade value, segregation of duties, delegation of authority, daily price verifications, reporting to senior management of various risk measures and a number of other policy and procedural controls.

Fair Value of Marketing Derivative Contracts

Occidental carries derivative contracts it enters into in connection with its marketing activities at fair value. Fair values for these contracts are derived from Level 1 and Level 2 sources. The fair values in future maturity periods are insignificant.

The following table shows the fair value of Occidental's derivatives (excluding collateral), segregated by maturity periods and by methodology of fair value estimation:

Cash-Flow Hedges

Occidental’s marketing operations, from time to time, store natural gas purchased from third parties at Occidental’s North American leased storage facilities. As of December 31, 2017, and 2016, Occidental had approximately 7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas held in storage, and had cash-flow hedges for the forecasted sales, to be settled by physical delivery, of approximately 7 Bcf of stored natural gas.

Quantitative Information

Occidental uses value at risk to estimate the potential effects of changes in fair values of commodity contracts used in trading activities. This measure determines the maximum potential negative one day change in fair value

with a 95 percent level of confidence. Additionally, Occidental uses complementary trading limits including position and tenor limits and maintains liquid positions as a result of which market risk typically can be neutralized or mitigated on short notice. As a result of these controls, Occidental has determined that market risk of its trading activities is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its performance.

Interest Rate Risk

General

Occidental's exposure to changes in interest rates is not expected to be material and relates to its variable-rate long-term debt obligations. As of December 31, 2017, variable-rate debt constituted approximately 1 percent of Occidental's total debt.

Foreign Currency Risk

Occidental’s foreign operations have limited currency risk. Occidental manages its exposure primarily by balancing monetary assets and liabilities and limiting cash positions in foreign currencies to levels necessary for operating purposes. A vast majority of international oil sales are denominated in United States dollars. Additionally, all of Occidental’s consolidated foreign oil and gas subsidiaries have the United States dollar as the functional currency. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of foreign currency derivatives used in the marketing operations was immaterial. The effect of exchange rates on transactions in foreign currencies is included in periodic income.

Tabular Presentation of Interest Rate Risk

The table below provides information about Occidental's debt obligations. Debt amounts represent principal payments by maturity date.

Credit Risk

The majority of Occidental's counterparty credit risk is related to the physical delivery of energy commodities to its customers and their inability to meet their settlement commitments. Occidental manages credit risk by selecting counterparties that it believes to be financially strong, by entering into netting arrangements with counterparties and by requiring collateral or other credit risk mitigants, as appropriate. Occidental actively evaluates the creditworthiness of its counterparties, assigns appropriate credit limits, and monitors credit exposures against those assigned limits. Occidental also enters into future contracts through regulated exchanges with select clearinghouses and brokers, which are subject to minimal credit risk as a significant portion of these transactions settle on a daily margin basis.

Certain of Occidental's OTC derivative instruments contain credit-risk-contingent features, primarily tied to credit ratings for Occidental or its counterparties, which may affect the amount of collateral that each would need to post. Occidental believes that if it had received a one-notch reduction in its credit ratings, it would not have resulted in a material change in its collateral-posting requirements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, the substantial majority of the credit exposures were with investment grade counterparties. Occidental believes its exposure to credit-related losses at December 31, 2017 was not material and losses associated with credit risk have been insignificant for all years presented.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Occidental Petroleum Corporation:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Occidental Petroleum Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II - valuation and qualifying accounts (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 23, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

Houston, Texas

February 23, 2018

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To The Stockholders and Board of Directors

Occidental Petroleum Corporation:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Occidental Petroleum Corporation and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II - valuation and qualifying accounts (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements’’), and our report dated February 23, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Assessment of and Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

February 23, 2018

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Occidental had no changes in, and no disagreements with, Occidental's accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.

MANAGEMENT'S ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF AND REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of Occidental Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries (Occidental) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Occidental’s system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Occidental’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of Occidental’s assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that Occidental’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of Occidental’s management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Occidental’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of Occidental’s internal control system as of December 31, 2017, based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2017, Occidental’s system of internal control over financial reporting is effective.

Occidental’s independent auditors, KPMG LLP, have issued an audit report on Occidental’s internal control over financial reporting.

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Occidental's President and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer supervised and participated in Occidental's evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, Occidental's President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Occidental's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.

There has been no change in Occidental's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Occidental's internal control over financial reporting. The Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is set forth in Item 8.

None.

Part III

Occidental has adopted a Code of Business Conduct (Code). The Code applies to the President and Chief Executive Officer; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer; and persons performing similar functions (Key Personnel). The Code also applies to Occidental's directors, its employees and the employees of entities it controls. The Code is posted at www.oxy.com. Occidental will satisfy any disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, any provision of the Code with respect to its Key Personnel or directors by disclosing the nature of that amendment or waiver on its website.

The list of Occidental's executive officers and related information under "Executive Officers" set forth in Part I of this report is incorporated by reference herein. The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference from Occidental’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its May 4, 2018, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of December 31, 2017.

The information under the caption "Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Compensation Committee Report" shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material," or to be "filed" with the SEC, or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Exchange Act or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933. The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference from Occidental’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its May 4, 2018, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of December 31, 2017.

The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference from Occidental’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its May 4, 2018, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of December 31, 2017.

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference from Occidental’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its May 4, 2018, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of December 31, 2017.

The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference from Occidental’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to its May 4, 2018, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days of December 31, 2017.

Part IV

The agreements included as exhibits to this report are included to provide information about their terms and not to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Occidental or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that were made solely for the benefit of the other agreement parties and:

(a) (1) and (2). Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule

Reference is made to Item 8 of the Table of Contents of this report, where these documents are listed.

(a) (3). Exhibits

• Incorporated herein by reference

Not applicable.

• Incorporated herein by reference

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.