Occidental Petroleum (OXY) 424B2Prospectus for primary offering

The application of Section 203 of the DGCL could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us.

Except in certain situations, a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an “Acquiring Person” upon acquiring beneficial ownership of 15% (20% in the case of a passive institutional investor) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Each Right will entitle its holder (other than the Acquiring Person) to receive upon exercise that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of $55.00 per Right.

Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “Occidental,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Occidental Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries. In the “Description of Senior Debt Securities,” “Description of Subordinated Debt Securities,” “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Depositary Shares,” “Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units” and “Description of Units” sections of this prospectus, however, references to “Occidental,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Occidental Petroleum Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, using an “automatic shelf” registration process. Using this process, we may offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts to be determined at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer or sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will describe the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement, in addition to the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Occidental and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (“Anadarko”) file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may access this information at the SEC’s internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers, including Occidental and Anadarko, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov. The information contained on the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information into this prospectus from certain documents that we or Anadarko file with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus. By incorporating by reference, we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to documents that we or Anadarko have filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for information incorporated by reference that is modified or superseded by information contained in this prospectus or in a subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be part of this prospectus. These documents contain important information about us, Anadarko and our respective businesses.

We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus the following documents filed with the SEC, excluding any document or portion thereof deemed to be “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Exchange Act:

We also incorporate by reference all documents we may subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any report on Form 10-K or 10-Q that Anadarko may subsequently file with the SEC, in each case, from the date of this prospectus until the termination of each offering under this prospectus.

Information furnished under Item 2.02 or 7.01 (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) in any past or future current report on Form 8-K (including the current reports on Form 8-K listed above) that we file or that Anadarko files with the SEC, unless otherwise expressly specified in such report, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

These documents are available from Occidental without charge, excluding any exhibits to them unless the exhibit is specifically listed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You can also find information about Occidental at our internet website at www.oxy.com. Information contained on this website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any pricing supplement as having been authorized by us. We have not authorized any person, including any salesperson or broker, to provide information other than that provided in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any pricing supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or pricing supplement is accurate only as of the date on its cover page and that any information we have incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions.

This document contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business, plans, objectives and strategies of Occidental. These statements may be made directly in this prospectus or may be incorporated by reference to other documents or in any accompanying prospectus supplement. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “goal”, “believe”, “hope”, “aim”, “continue”, “will”, “may”, “would”, “could” or “should” or other words of similar meaning. There are several factors which could cause actual plans and results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:

These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environments, future developments and other factors we believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. The factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this document could cause our plans, actual results, performance or achievements, industry results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and persons reading this document are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of a document incorporated by reference, as of the date of that document. We do not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this document (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by applicable law.

Our principal businesses consist of three segments. The oil and gas segment explores for, develops and produces oil and condensate, NGLs and natural gas. The chemical segment mainly manufactures and markets basic chemicals and vinyls. The midstream and marketing segment purchases, markets, gathers, processes, transports and stores oil, condensate, NGLs, natural gas, carbon dioxide and power. It also trades around its assets, including transportation and storage capacity. Additionally, the midstream and marketing segment invests in entities that conduct similar activities.

On May 9, 2019, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), among us, Anadarko and a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental, pursuant to which, among other things and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, Anadarko will merge with and into our wholly owned subsidiary and survive the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental. The transaction is expected to close shortly after Anadarko's special meeting of its stockholders on August 8, 2019 and is subject to the customary closing conditions, including approval from Anadarko’s shareholders.

Our principal executive offices are located at 5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 110, Houston, Texas 77046; our telephone number is (713) 215-7000.

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you invest in our securities you should carefully consider the risk factors relating to an investment in our securities described in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the Annual Reports of Occidental and Anadarko on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in any subsequent periodic or current reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act that include “Risk Factors” or that discuss risks to Occidental or Anadarko and that are incorporated herein by reference.

Unless otherwise specified in an applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of any securities offered under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, including, among other possible uses, repayment or refinancing of debt, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and repurchases and redemptions of securities.

We may issue one or more series of senior debt securities pursuant to this prospectus. We will issue the senior debt securities under an indenture (the “Senior Indenture”) to be entered into in the future between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (“Senior Indenture Trustee”). A copy of the form of Senior Indenture is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Below is a description of certain general terms of the senior debt securities. The description is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Senior Indenture. The particular terms of a series of senior debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the Senior Indenture.

The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Senior Indenture is subject to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Senior Indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt securities which we may issue, nor does it limit us or our subsidiaries from issuing any other unsecured debt. Such other unsecured debt may have different terms than the senior debt securities. Our previously issued and outstanding senior debt does have different terms than the senior debt securities (including different restrictive covenants and event of default provisions). The terms of the senior debt securities issued under this prospectus will only be as described in the Senior Indenture, this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.

Each prospectus supplement, together with a pricing supplement, if applicable, will describe the terms relating to a series of senior debt securities, which may include:

Each prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as applicable, may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the senior debt securities that the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement covers, as applicable.

The Senior Indenture will provide that we will not, nor will we permit any Consolidated Subsidiary (as defined below) to, incur, create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to any Secured Debt (as defined below), unless the senior debt securities are secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Secured Debt. This covenant will not apply to:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we and one or more Consolidated Subsidiaries may incur, create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to any Secured Debt that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all Secured Debt would not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined below).

The Senior Indenture will not permit us to consolidate with, merge into or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Business Entity unless the following conditions are met:

If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the senior debt securities, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders in order to engage in such a consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, another entity. We will not need to satisfy these conditions if we enter into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which we acquire the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction that involves a change of control of Occidental but in which we do not consolidate with or merge into another entity and any transaction in which we convey, transfer or lease less than substantially all our assets.

The Senior Indenture will provide that we will file with the Senior Indenture Trustee, within 15 days after we have filed the same with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which we may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; provided that we will be deemed to have filed copies of any such annual reports, documents or other reports with the Senior Indenture Trustee to the extent that such annual reports, documents or other reports are filed with the Commission via EDGAR (or any successor electronic delivery procedure).

If an event of default with respect to senior debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Senior Indenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series, by notice in writing to us (and to the Senior Indenture Trustee if notice is given by such holders), may declare the principal of (or if such senior debt securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the portion of the principal amount specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any), and accrued interest, if any, on the senior debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Senior Indenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to that series and its consequences, except defaults regarding:

Subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture, the Senior Indenture Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Senior Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of senior debt securities, unless the holders have offered the Senior Indenture Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Senior Indenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Senior Indenture Trustee, with respect to the senior debt securities of that series; provided that:

A holder of the senior debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the Senior Indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:

The Senior Indenture provides that no holder or group of holders of senior debt securities will have any right to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of other holders, obtain or seek priority or preference over another holder or enforce its rights under the Senior Indenture except as provided in the Senior Indenture for the equal and ratable benefit of all holders.

These limitations on instituting proceedings do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of senior debt securities to enforce the payment of the principal of or interest on the senior debt securities.

We will periodically deliver statements to the Senior Indenture Trustee regarding the existence or absence of defaults under the Senior Indenture.

We and the Senior Indenture Trustee may amend or supplement the Senior Indenture without the consent of any holders to, among other things:

In addition, under the Senior Indenture, the rights of holders of any series of senior debt securities may be changed by us and the Senior Indenture Trustee with the written consent of (i) the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture voting as a single class or (ii) if fewer than all of the series of outstanding debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture are affected by such addition, change, elimination or modification, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of all series so affected by such supplemental indenture voting as a single class (including, for the avoidance of doubt, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange for, such debt securities), to execute a supplemental indenture to add provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any provisions of, the Senior Indenture with respect to such applicable series of debt securities or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of such applicable series of debt securities under the Senior Indenture.

However, no change may be made without the consent of each holder of an outstanding senior debt security affected thereby if such change would, among other things:

“Business Entity” means a corporation, association, business trust, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity.

“Capital Stock” means (a) in the case of a corporation, common stock, preferred stock and any other capital stock, (b) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (c) in the case of a limited liability company, limited liability company interests, and (d) in the case of any other Business Entity, any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distribution of assets of, such Business Entity, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Consolidated Subsidiary” means any subsidiary included in our and our subsidiaries’ financial statements prepared on a consolidated basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

“Current Liabilities” means all Indebtedness that may properly be classified as a current liability in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, at any time, and in each case only to the extent such obligations are presented as liabilities on the face of the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) obligations under capital leases (the amount of such obligations being the capitalized amount of such leases, determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on December 31, 2016), (c) obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (d) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty and bankers’ acceptances, (e) guarantees by such Person of any Indebtedness of others of the type described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) and (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on any asset owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed by such Person.

“Lien” means and includes any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other similar encumbrance to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, but excluding (i) any security interest which a lessor may be deemed to have under a lease and (ii) any lien which may be deemed to exist under a Production Payment or under any subordination arrangement.

“Net Tangible Assets” of any specified Person means the total of all assets properly appearing on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, after deducting from such total, without duplication of deductions, (a) all Current Liabilities of such Person; (b) that portion of the book amount of all such assets which would be treated as intangibles under United States generally accepted accounting principles, including, without limitation, all such items as goodwill, trademarks, trade names, brands, copyrights, patents, licenses and rights with respect to the foregoing and unamortized debt discount and expense; and (c) the amount, if any, at which any Capital Stock of such Person appears on the asset side of such balance sheet.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any senior debt security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to the Senior Indenture.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Principal Domestic Property” means any (1) developed oil or gas producing property or (2) processing or manufacturing plant, in each case which is owned or leased by us or any Consolidated Subsidiary and (i) which is located in the continental United States and (ii) the gross book value of which on the date of determination exceeds 3% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that any such property or plant declared by our Board of Directors by Board Resolution not to be of material importance to our and our Consolidated Subsidiaries’ business, taken as a whole, will not be a Principal Domestic Property.

“Production Payment” means any economic interest in oil, gas or mineral reserves which (1) entitles the holder thereof to a specified share of future production from such reserves, free of the costs and expenses of such production, and (2) terminates when a specified quantity of such share of future production from such reserves has been delivered or a specified sum has been realized from the sale of such share of future production from such reserves.

“Secured Debt” means any Indebtedness of us or any Consolidated Subsidiary for borrowed money, secured by a Lien on any Principal Domestic Property or on any shares of Capital Stock of, or on any Indebtedness of, any Consolidated Subsidiary that owns any Principal Domestic Property.

“subsidiary” means a Business Entity more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by us or by one or more of our other subsidiaries, or by us and one or more of our other subsidiaries.

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Business Entity, any class or series of Capital Stock of such Business Entity the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or to appoint or to approve the appointment of, the directors, trustees or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Business Entity.

“WES Entities” means Western Midstream Partners, LP (formerly known as Western Gas Equity Partners, LP), Western Midstream Operating, LP (formerly known as Western Gas Partners, LP) and their respective Subsidiaries and general partners.

The senior debt securities of each series will be issued as registered securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or the pricing supplement, if any, senior debt securities will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or the pricing supplement, if any, senior debt securities will be exchangeable for other senior debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the Senior Indenture and the limitations applicable to global senior debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, senior debt securities issued may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly executed) at the office of the registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the senior debt securities to be transferred or exchanged, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. We have appointed the Senior Indenture Trustee as registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition to the registrar) initially designated by us for any senior debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the senior debt securities of each series.

The senior debt securities of each series may be issued in whole or in part in global form. A senior debt security in global form will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any. A global senior debt security shall be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. A global senior debt security may not be transferred, except as a whole, among the depositary for that senior debt security and its nominees and their respective successors. If any senior debt securities of a series are issuable as global senior debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, will describe any circumstances when beneficial owners of interests in that global senior debt security may exchange their interests for definitive senior debt securities of like series and tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination.

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, we may terminate at any time our obligations under the Senior Indenture with respect to any series of senior debt securities (other than certain limited obligations, such as the obligation to transfer and exchange senior debt securities of that series) by (1)(a) delivering all of the outstanding senior debt securities of that series to the Senior Indenture Trustee to be cancelled or (b) depositing with the Senior Indenture Trustee in trust funds or non-callable United States government or government-guaranteed obligations sufficient without reinvestment to pay all remaining principal and interest on the series of senior debt securities and (2) complying with certain other provisions of the Senior Indenture.

If we elect to discharge our obligations by depositing cash or United States government or government guaranteed obligations as described above, under present law such discharge is likely to be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a redemption of the senior debt securities of that series prior to maturity in exchange for the property deposited in trust. In that event, each holder would generally recognize, at the time of discharge, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes measured by the difference between (1) the sum of (a) the amount of any cash and (b) the fair market value of any property deposited in trust deemed received by such holder (unless attributable to accrued interest) and (2) such holder’s tax basis in the senior debt securities deemed surrendered. After the discharge, each such holder would likely be treated as if it held an undivided interest in the cash (or investments made therewith) and the property held in trust (or investments made with interest received therefrom). Each such holder would generally be subject to tax liability in respect of interest income and original issue discount, if applicable, thereon and would recognize any gain or loss upon any disposition, including redemption, of the assets held in trust. Although tax might be owed, the holder of a discharged senior debt security would not receive cash (except for current payments of interest on that senior debt security) until the maturity or earlier redemption (or, if applicable, repurchase by us at the option of the holder) of that senior debt security. United States federal income tax treatment of this nature could affect the purchase price that a holder would receive upon the sale of the senior debt securities. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the discharge of our obligations.

The Senior Indenture Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Senior Indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the Senior Indenture and, upon an event of default under the Senior Indenture, must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Senior Indenture Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers given it by the Senior Indenture at the request or direction of any holder of senior debt securities unless the Senior Indenture Trustee is offered reasonable security or indemnity by that holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. The Senior Indenture Trustee is not required to spend or risk its own money or otherwise become financially liable while performing its duties unless it reasonably believes that it will be repaid or receive adequate indemnity.

The Bank of New York Mellon is a participating lender under our revolving credit agreement and provides commercial banking services to us and our affiliates. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the Senior Indenture Trustee and will also act as Subordinated Indenture Trustee. However, if The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. acquires any conflicting interest when an event of default is pending, it must (with certain exceptions) eliminate the conflict or resign.

The person in whose name a senior debt security is registered will be treated as the owner of such security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal and, unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, interest on such senior debt security and for all other purposes.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, payment of interest on any senior debt securities on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name those senior debt securities (or one or more predecessor securities) are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest, except as otherwise provided by the procedures of the depositary. Unless

We will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the senior debt securities of a particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, the corporate trust office or agency of the Senior Indenture Trustee in The City of New York will be designated as the paying agent for payments with respect to senior debt securities.

All moneys that we pay to a paying agent or the Senior Indenture Trustee for the payment of the principal or interest, if any, on any senior debt securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, interest shall be computed, for fixed rate securities, on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, and, for variable rate securities, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period divided by 360.

The Senior Indenture and senior debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof).

We may issue one or more series of subordinated debt securities pursuant to this prospectus. We may issue the subordinated debt securities under an indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), to be entered into in the future among us, the subsidiary guarantors of such debt securities, if any, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., or another entity, as trustee (“Subordinated Indenture Trustee”). The form of Subordinated Indenture is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Below is a description of certain general terms of the subordinated debt securities. The description is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Subordinated Indenture. The particular terms of a series of subordinated debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this summary have the meanings specified in the Subordinated Indenture.

The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated and junior in priority of payment to our Senior Indebtedness (as defined below). The Subordinated Indenture is subject to the Trust Indenture Act. The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness or subordinated debt securities which we may issue, nor does it limit us or our subsidiaries from issuing any debt.

Each prospectus supplement, together with a pricing supplement, if applicable, will describe the terms relating to a series of subordinated debt securities, which may include:

Each prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as applicable, may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the subordinated debt securities that the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement covers, as applicable.

The payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, and any other amounts payable with respect to the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, whether such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding at the time such subordinated debt securities are issued or incurred thereafter. The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit us from incurring Senior Indebtedness. Holders of subordinated debt securities should also recognize that contractual provisions in the Subordinated Indenture may prohibit us from making payments on the subordinated debt securities under specified circumstances.

“Senior Indebtedness” means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any Federal bankruptcy law or any other applicable Federal or State law, but only to the extent allowed or permitted to the holder of such Indebtedness of the Company against the bankruptcy or any other insolvency estate of the Company in such proceeding) and other amounts due on or in connection with any Indebtedness of the Company incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred, assumed or

“Indebtedness,” as applied to a person, means, as of the date on which Indebtedness is to be determined and without duplication (i) all obligations represented by notes, bonds, debentures or similar evidences of indebtedness; (ii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services other than, in the case of any such deferred purchase price, on normal trade terms; (iii) all rental obligations as lessee under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, recorded as capital leases; and (iv) all Indebtedness of others for the payment of which such person is responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor.

“Capital Trust” means any Delaware business trust, or any other similar trust, or any partnership or other entity affiliated with us created for the purpose of issuing securities in connection with the issuance of subordinated debt securities under the Subordinated Indenture.

Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due (subject to any applicable grace period). This means that the Subordinated Trustee and the holders of subordinated debt securities of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of Senior Indebtedness have been fully satisfied.

In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions described in the preceding paragraph, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holder of any subordinated debt security of any series receives any payment or distribution of our assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other Indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of the securities of such series, before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full or payment thereof provided for, and if such fact has been made known to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee as provided in the Subordinated Indenture, or, as the case may be, such holder of subordinated debt securities, then and in such event such payment or distribution shall be paid over or delivered forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other person making payment or distribution of our assets for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

By reason of such subordination, in the event of any distribution of our assets in connection with any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar proceedings relating to us, or our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any assignment for the benefit of our creditors or other marshalling of our assets and liabilities:

Furthermore, such subordination may result in a reduction or elimination of payments to the holders of subordinated debt securities.

Our consolidation with, or our merger into, another corporation or our liquidation or dissolution following the conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets to another person upon the terms and conditions described below under “—Consolidation, Merger or Sale,” will not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshalling of our assets and liabilities for the purposes of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture if the person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer all or substantially all of our assets, as the case may be, will, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions described under “—Consolidation, Merger or Sale.”

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or pricing supplement or information incorporated by reference herein will set forth the approximate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

The Subordinated Indenture generally permits us to consolidate with, merge into or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety, to any person, so long as, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default under the Subordinated Indenture or event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing. However, any successor or acquiror of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the Subordinated Indenture and the subordinated debt securities and be organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

The following are events of default under the Subordinated Indenture with respect to each series of subordinated debt securities:

If an event of default with respect to subordinated debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series, by notice in writing to us (and to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee if notice is given by such holders), may declare the principal of (or if such subordinated debt securities are discount securities, the portion of the principal amount specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any), and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series may waive any past default with respect to that series and its consequences, except defaults regarding:

Subject to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture, the Subordinated Indenture Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of subordinated debt securities, unless the holders have offered the Subordinated Indenture Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of that series, provided that:

The Subordinated Indenture provides that no holder or group of holders of subordinated debt securities will have any right to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of other holders, obtain or seek priority or preference over another holder or enforce its rights under the Subordinated Indenture except as provided in the Subordinated Indenture for the equal and ratable benefit of all holders.

These limitations on instituting proceedings do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of subordinated debt securities to enforce the payment of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

We will periodically file statements with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee regarding our compliance with the conditions and covenants in the Subordinated Indenture.

We and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee may amend or supplement the Subordinated Indenture without the consent of any holders to, among other things:

The senior debt securities of each series will be issued as registered securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or the pricing supplement, if any, subordinated debt securities will be issued in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or the pricing supplement, if any, subordinated debt securities will be exchangeable for other subordinated debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the Subordinated Indenture and the limitations applicable to global subordinated debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, subordinated debt securities may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer duly executed) at the office of the registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the subordinated debt securities to be transferred or exchanged, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. We have appointed the Subordinated Indenture Trustee as registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition to the registrar) initially designated by us for any subordinated debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the subordinated debt securities of each series.

The subordinated debt securities of each series may be issued in whole or in part in global form. A subordinated debt security in global form will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary, which will be named in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any. A global subordinated debt security shall be issued in registered form in either temporary or definitive form. A global subordinated debt security may not be transferred, except as a whole among the depositary for that subordinated debt security and its nominees and their respective successors. If any subordinated debt securities of a series are issuable as global subordinated debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, will describe any circumstances when beneficial owners of interests in that global subordinated debt security may exchange their interests for definitive subordinated debt securities of like series and tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination.

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, we may terminate at any time our obligations under the Subordinated Indenture with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities (other than certain limited obligations, such as the obligation to transfer and exchange subordinated debt securities of that series) by (1)(a) delivering all of the outstanding subordinated debt securities of that series to the Subordinated Indenture Trustee to be cancelled or (b) depositing with the Subordinated Indenture Trustee in trust funds or non-callable United States government or government-guaranteed obligations sufficient without reinvestment to pay all remaining principal and interest on the series of subordinated debt securities and (2) complying with certain other provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.

If we elect to discharge our obligations by depositing cash or United States government or government guaranteed obligations as described above, under present law such discharge is likely to be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a redemption of the subordinated debt securities of that series prior to maturity in exchange for the property deposited in trust. In that event, each holder would generally recognize, at the time of discharge, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes measured by the difference between (1) the sum of (a) the amount of any cash and (b) the fair market value of any property deposited in trust deemed received by such holder (unless attributable to accrued interest) and (2) such holder’s tax basis in the subordinated debt securities deemed surrendered. After the discharge, each such holder would likely be treated as if it held an undivided interest in the cash (or investments made therewith) and the property held in trust (or investments made with interest received therefrom). Each such holder would generally be subject to tax liability in respect of interest income and original issue discount, if applicable, thereon and would recognize any gain or loss upon any disposition, including redemption, of the assets held in trust. Although tax might be owed, the holder of a discharged subordinated debt security would not receive cash (except for current payments of interest on that subordinated debt security) until the maturity or earlier redemption (or, if applicable, repurchase by us at the option of the holder) of that subordinated debt security. United States federal income tax treatment of this nature could affect the purchase price that a holder would receive upon the sale of the subordinated debt securities. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the discharge of our obligations.

The Subordinated Indenture Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the Subordinated Indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the Subordinated Indenture and, upon an event of default under the Subordinated Indenture, must use the same

The Bank of New York Mellon is a participating lender under our revolving credit agreement and provides commercial banking services to us and our affiliates. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. is the Subordinated Indenture Trustee and will also act as the Senior Indenture Trustee. However, if The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. acquires any conflicting interest when an event of default is pending, it must (with certain exceptions) eliminate the conflict or resign.

The person in whose name a debt security subordinated is registered will be treated as the owner of such security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal and, unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, interest on such subordinated debt security and for all other purposes.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, payment of interest on any subordinated debt securities on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name those subordinated debt securities (or one or more predecessor securities) are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest, except as otherwise provided by the procedures of the depositary. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, principal and interest on the subordinated debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of the paying agents that we designate, except that payments of interest may, at our option, be made by wire transfer or check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto.

We will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the subordinated debt securities of a particular series. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, the corporate trust office of the Subordinated Indenture Trustee in the City of New York will be designated as the paying agent for payments with respect to subordinated debt securities.

All moneys that we pay to a paying agent or the Subordinated Indenture Trustee for the payment of the principal or interest, if any, on any subordinated debt securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after that principal or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if any, interest shall be computed, for fixed rate securities, on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, and, for variable rate securities, on the basis of the actual number of days in the interest period divided by 360.

The Subordinated Indenture and subordinated debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York (without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof).

The following summary describes the material provisions of our common stock. The summary in this prospectus is not complete. We urge you to read our Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, as amended (“Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Amended and Restated By-laws of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (“Bylaws”), which are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 1,100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.20 per share. The common stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.

Each prospectus supplement may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the common stock that the prospectus supplement covers.

Subject to the dividend rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors. We will pay those dividends either in cash, shares of common stock, or otherwise, at the rate and on the date or dates as declared by our board of directors. Accruals of dividends will not bear interest. As a Delaware corporation, we are subject to statutory limitations on the declaration and payment of dividends.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution to stockholders after payment of liabilities, and after the payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to the holders of any outstanding class or series of preferred stock. Because we are a holding company, holders of common stock may not receive assets of our subsidiaries in the event of our liquidation until the claims of creditors of such subsidiaries are paid, except to the extent that we are a creditor of, and may have recognized claims against, such subsidiaries.

Each holder of common stock entitled to vote will have one vote for each one share of common stock held on all matters to be voted upon by our stockholders, including elections of directors.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws and Delaware law contain certain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. Following is a description of certain of the anti-takeover effects of such provisions.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons who support current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. In addition, provisions which could discourage an unsolicited tender offer or takeover proposal, such as extraordinary voting, dividend, redemption or conversion rights, could be included in a series of preferred stock.

A “business combination” includes certain mergers, asset or stock sales and other transactions involving the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns (or within the previous three years did own) 15% or more of our voting stock.

The following summary describes the material provisions of our preferred stock. The summary in this prospectus is not complete. We urge you to read our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the certificate of designations establishing a particular series of preferred stock which will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the SEC in connection with the offering of the preferred stock.

Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares to be included in any series and the designation, relative powers, preferences and rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of all shares of such series.

The particular terms of any series of preferred stock that we offer under this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include:

Each prospectus supplement may describe certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase, holding and disposition of the preferred stock that the prospectus supplement covers.

If the terms of any series of preferred stock being offered differ from the terms set forth in this prospectus, those terms will also be disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock.

The preferred stock will be preferred over the common stock as to payment of dividends. Before any dividends or distributions (other than dividends or distributions payable in common stock or other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) on the common stock or other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to dividends and upon liquidation shall be declared and set apart for payment or paid, the holders of shares of each series of preferred stock (unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) will be entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors or, if dividends are cumulative, full cumulative dividends for the current and all prior dividend periods. We will pay those dividends either in cash, shares of preferred stock, or otherwise, at the rate and on the date or

The preferred stock of each series will be preferred over the common stock and other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock as to assets, so that the holders of that series of preferred stock (unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) will be entitled to be paid, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and before any distribution is made to the holders of common stock and other stock ranking junior to that series of preferred stock, the amount set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our net assets are insufficient to permit the payment in full of the respective amounts to which the holders of all outstanding preferred stock are entitled, our entire remaining net assets will be distributed among the holders of each series of preferred stock in amounts proportional to the full amounts to which the holders of each series are entitled, subject to the relative rankings of each series of preferred stock upon liquidation. The applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the relative ranking of the particular series of the preferred stock upon liquidation, as compared with then-existing and future series of preferred stock. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement for a series of preferred stock, after payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of our assets.

The shares of a series of preferred stock will be convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder of the preferred stock, redeemable at our option or at the option of the holder, as applicable, convertible or exchangeable at our option, into another security, in each case, to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The holders of each series or class of preferred stock we may issue will have no voting rights, except as required by law and as described below or in the applicable prospectus supplement. Our Board of Directors may, upon issuance of a series or class of preferred stock, grant voting rights to the holders of that series or class, which may be full or limited.

Without the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of any class of preferred stock then outstanding, we may not:

If the amendment would adversely alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of one or more series of a class of preferred stock, but not the entire class, then only the shares of the affected series will have the right to vote on the amendment.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws and Delaware law contain certain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover attempt that a holder of our preferred stock or depositary shares might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that may result in a premium over the market price of those shares. See “Description of Common Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and of Delaware Law.”

We may issue warrants to purchase any combination of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.

The applicable prospectus supplement will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of any warrant agreement with the SEC, and you should read the warrant agreement for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:

The following description of the terms of the depositary shares sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the depositary shares to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to those depositary shares will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those depositary shares. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of depositary shares, reference must be made to both the prospectus supplement relating thereto and to the following description.

We may, at our option, elect to offer shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares. The shares of any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between us and one or more depositaries selected by us, who we will name in the prospectus supplement.

Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock represented by that depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. Each receipt will represent the applicable interest in a number of shares of a particular series of the preferred stock, which we will describe in the prospectus supplement.

A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the whole number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares. Holders will not be entitled to receive fractional shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the whole number of shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time a new depositary receipt for the excess number of depositary shares.

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, or for us to issue in exchange for other securities, a specified number of shares of our common stock or preferred stock (or a range of numbers of shares in accordance with a predetermined formula) at a future date or dates or upon the occurrence of specified events. The price per share of common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts.

We may issue the stock purchase contracts separately or as a part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and any combination of our senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities or any other security registered under this registration statement as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, securing the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock or preferred stock under the stock purchase contracts.

The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner, and in specified circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing that holder’s obligations under the original stock purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. That description will not be complete. For more information, you should review the stock purchase contracts and, if applicable, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to those stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and any prepaid securities and the document under which the prepaid securities will be issued. We will file forms of these documents with the SEC before we issue any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities.

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units comprised of two or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

The unit agreement, together with the terms of the underlying securities, will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific units.

We may sell the securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers, through agents or a combination of these methods.

If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued at any time.

If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In a prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in such prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in a prospectus supplement.

If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in such prospectus supplement. Such prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may engage in transactions with us or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, New York, New York. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The consolidated financial statements of Occidental Petroleum Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements refers to a change in the method of accounting for revenue recognition in 2018.

Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with Occidental’s oil and gas properties is confirmed in the process review letter of Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent petroleum engineering consultants, and has been incorporated by reference into this document, upon the authority of said firm as experts with respect to the matters covered by such process review letter and in giving such process review letter.

Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with Anadarko’s oil and gas properties is confirmed in the procedures and methods review letter of Miller and Lents, Ltd., an independent petroleum consulting firm, and has been incorporated by reference into this document, upon the authority of said firm as experts with respect to the matters covered by such procedures and methods review letter and in giving such procedures and methods review letter.