-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NU+Ulv/8QU37Zu4gXhYrqy+wbeHn3Up5IjOlMgHCerlhrhZQjLp0NB+gFaNfCqND
 UY+iHFiCeW0njAfwnpfUfQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001357400-10-000031.txt : 20100121
<SEC-HEADER>0001357400-10-000031.hdr.sgml : 20100121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100121093400
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001357400-10-000031
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100121
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			French David L.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001481332

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04300
		FILM NUMBER:		10537763

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O APACHE CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		2000 POST OAK BLVD., SUITE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APACHE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000006769
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				410747868
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2000 POST OAK BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056-4400
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7132966000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2000 POST OAK BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 100
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056-4400

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	APACHE OIL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19660830
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>f3fordlf.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000006769</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>APACHE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>APA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001481332</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>French David L.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE POST OAK CENTRAL</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2000 POST OAK BLVD, SUITE 100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77056-4400</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14.</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>105.226</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Held by Trustee 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Conditional Grant ($108 Threshold)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-29</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-03-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1620.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Conditional Grant ($162 Threshold)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1330.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Conditional Grant ($216 Theshold)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-12-31</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Conditional Grant ($81.00 Threshold)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-06-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-06-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>523.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Buy $71.88)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>71.88</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-05-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2680.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Buy $73.34)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>73.34</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-12-14</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-12-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3500.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Buy $74.10)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>74.10</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-05-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2900.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Buy $82.55)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>82.55</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F11"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-05-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1800.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.00</value>
                <footnoteId id="F12"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F13"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2100.</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares of common stock of Apache are deemed to also
represent certain preferred stock purchase rights
('Rights').  The Rights are not currently exercisable or
separately tradable and presently are evidenced by
certificates for shares of the common stock.  Value
attributable to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the
market price of the common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">With tandem tax withholding right</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Payable if Apache common stock attains the per share price
threshold prior to 01/01/2009.  If threshold is attained,
will be paid over four vesting dates: within 30 days after
the date on which the price threshold is attained, and the
dates 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months following such
date of attainment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Payable if Apache common stock attains the per share price
threshold by 12/31/2010. If threshold is attained, will be
paid over five vesting dates: within 30 days after the date
on which the price threshold is attained, and the dates 12
months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months following such
date of attainment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Payable if Apache common stock attains the per share price
threshold by 12/31/2010.  If threshold attained, payable
ratably in five installments over four years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Payable if Apache common stock attains the per share price
threshold by 12/31/2012. If threshold is attained, will be
paid over five vesting dates: within 30 days after the date
on which the price threshold is attained, and the dates 12
months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months following such
date of attainment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Payable if Apache common stock attains the per share price
threshold by 12/31/2012.  If threshold attained, will be
paid in five installments over four years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Payable if Apache common stock attains the per share price
threshold prior by 01/01/2008. If threshold is attained,
will be paid over four vesting dates: within 30 days after
the date on which the price threshold is attained, and the
dates 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months following such
date of attainment.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Stock option granted 05/03/2006 under employer plan - data
received from the plan administrator on 05/05/2006.
Exercisable ratably over four years beginning 05/03/2007.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Stock option granted 05/02/2007 under employer plan - data
received from the plan administrator on 05/02/2007.
Exercisable ratably over four years beginning 05/02/2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Exercisable ratably over four years beginning 05/06/2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">One share of Apache common stock for each restricted stock
unit.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">Restricted units granted under terms of the 2007 Omnibus
Equity Compensation Plan.  The units vest 25% per year on
the first, second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the
grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David French</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----