EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Paul G. Van Wagenen, certify that:

I have reviewed this amendment to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pogo Producing Company (the “Company”);

Based on my knowledge, this amendment to the annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

Date: October 27, 2006

/s/ PAUL G. VAN WAGENEN

Paul G. Van Wagenen

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer