DEF 14A 1 d271725ddef14a.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.      )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒                            Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

Murphy Oil Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

  

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

 

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  (5) Total fee paid:

 

 

  

 

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1) Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

  

 

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LOGO


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LOGO

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

 

Date:    May 10, 2017
Time:    10:00 a.m. CDT
Place:    South Arkansas Arts Center
   110 East 5th Street
   El Dorado, Arkansas    71730

AGENDA:

 

1. Election of Directors;

 

2. Advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

3. Advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

4. Approval or disapproval of the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics;

 

5. Approval or disapproval of the action of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in appointing KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017; and

 

6. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2017, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. A list of all stockholders entitled to vote is on file at the office of the Company, 300 Peach Street, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

Your vote is very important to us and to our business. Prior to the meeting, you may submit your vote and proxy by telephone, mobile device, the internet, or, if you received your materials by mail, you can sign and return your proxy card. Instructions on how to vote begin on page 1.

 

 

LOGO

E. Ted Botner

Vice President, Law and Corporate Secretary

El Dorado, Arkansas

March 24, 2017


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Proxy Statement    LOGO

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

PROXY SUMMARY     1  

Q&A—Questions and Answers About the Annual Meeting

    3  

Voting Procedures

    4  

Voting Securities

    4  
PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS     5  

Director Nominees

    6  

Board Leadership Structure

    10  

Risk Management

    10  

Committees

    10  
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS     12  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS     14  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT     15  
PROPOSAL 2—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION     17  
PROPOSAL 3—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE FREQUENCY OF AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION     18  
PROPOSAL 4—APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED 2012 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN PERFORMANCE METRICS     19  
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS     21  

Background

    21  

Executive Summary

    21  

Introduction

    26  

Guiding Principles

    27  

Elements of Compensation

    28  

Executive Compensation Committee Report

    34  
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION     35  

Tabular Information for Named Executive Officers

    35  
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT     43  
PROPOSAL 5—APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM     44  
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING     45  

 

The solicitation of the enclosed proxy is made on behalf of the Board of Directors of Murphy Oil Corporation (the “Board”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 10, 2017. It is expected that this Proxy Statement and related materials will first be provided to stockholders on or about March 24, 2017. The complete mailing address of the Company’s principal executive office is 300 Peach Street, P.O. Box 7000, El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-7000. References in this Proxy Statement to “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company”, “Murphy Oil” and “Murphy” refer to Murphy Oil Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.


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Proxy Summary

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Proposals to be Voted On

The following proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

          For More
Information
   Board
Recommendation
    
Proposal 1—Election of Directors    Page 5    LOGO    FOR
Claiborne P. Deming    James V. Kelley         
T. Jay Collins    Walentin Mirosh         
Steven A. Cossé    R. Madison Murphy         
Lawrence R. Dickerson    Jeffrey W. Nolan         
Roger W. Jenkins    Neal E. Schmale         
Elisabeth W. Keller   

Laura A. Sugg

              

Proposal 2

 

Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

   Page 17   

 

LOGO

 

   FOR
        
Proposal 3    Page 18    LOGO

 

   ONE YEAR

Advisory Vote to Approve the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

            
Proposal 4       Page 19    LOGO

 

   FOR

Approval of the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics

 

            

Proposal 5

 

Approval of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   Page 44   

 

LOGO

 

   FOR
        

You may cast your vote in the following ways:

 

 

LOGO

The 2017 Murphy Oil Corporation Annual Meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. CDT on May 10, 2017,

at the South Arkansas Arts Center located at 110 East 5th Street in El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

 

INTERNET
Go to www.proxyvote.com. You will need the 12 digit number included in your proxy card or notice.
MOBILE
You can scan this QR code to vote with your mobile phone. You will need the 12 digit number included in your proxy card or notice.
PHONE
Call 1-800-690-6903. You will need the 12 digit number included in your proxy card.
MAIL
Send your completed and signed proxy card to: Vote Processing c/o Broadridge 51 Mercedes Way Edgewood, NY 11717
IN PERSON
See page 2 regarding meeting attendance.

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          1  


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LOGO

 

  

Proxy Summary (continued)

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS:

We have elected to take advantage of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials to the Company’s stockholders via the internet. These rules allow us to provide information that the Company’s stockholders need while lowering the costs and accelerating the speed of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement, along with the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes the Company’s Form 10-K report for the year ended December 31, 2016, are available via the internet at http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61237&p=proxy.

 

 
2        Murphy Oil Corporation


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Q&A—Questions and Answers about the Annual

             Meeting

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

When and where is the Annual Meeting?

The Company’s 60th Annual Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at the South Arkansas Arts Center, located at 110 East 5th Street, in El Dorado, Arkansas 71730.

May I attend the meeting?

Attendance at the meeting is open to stockholders of record as of March 13, 2017, Company employees and certain guests. If you are a stockholder, regardless of the number of shares you hold, you may attend the meeting.

Who may vote?

You may vote if you were a holder of record of Murphy Oil Corporation common stock as of the close of business on March 13, 2017. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting. You may vote in person at the meeting, or by proxy via the methods explained on page 1 of this document.

Why should I vote?

Your vote is very important regardless of the amount of stock you hold. The Board strongly encourages you to exercise your right to vote as a stockholder of the Company.

Why did I receive a Notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?

We are providing access to our proxy materials via the internet. As a result, we have sent a Notice of availability instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials to most of our stockholders. The Notice contains instructions on how to access the proxy materials via the internet and how to request a paper copy. In addition, the website provided in the Notice allows stockholders to request future proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email. A stockholder’s election to receive proxy materials by mail or email will remain in effect until the stockholder terminates it.

Why didn’t I receive a Notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials?

We are providing certain stockholders, including those who have previously requested paper copies of the proxy materials, with paper copies of the proxy materials instead of a Notice. If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Murphy in mailing proxy materials and conserve natural resources, you can consent to receive all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via email. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card or voting instruction card. When prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder communications electronically in the future.

May I vote my stock by filling out and returning the Notice?

No. Instructions are in the email sent to you and on the Notice.

How can I access the proxy materials through the internet?

Your Notice or proxy card will contain instructions on how to view our proxy materials for the Annual Meeting via the internet. The Proxy Statement and Annual Report are also available at http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61237&p=proxy.

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          3  


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LOGO

 

  

Proxy Statement

 

 

    VOTING PROCEDURES

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of matters presented at the meeting. Your proxy will be voted at the meeting unless you (i) revoke it at any time before the vote by filing a revocation with the Corporate Secretary of the Company, (ii) duly execute a proxy card bearing a later date or (iii) appear at the meeting and vote in person. If you voted via the Internet, mobile device or telephone, you can change your vote with a timely and valid later vote or by voting by ballot at the meeting. Proxies returned to the Company, votes cast other than in person and written revocations will be disqualified if received after commencement of the meeting. If you elect to vote your proxy card or as directed on the Notice or vote by telephone, mobile device or internet as described in the telephone/mobile device/internet voting instructions on your proxy card or Notice, the Company will vote your shares as you direct. Your telephone/mobile device/internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you had marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be counted by the persons appointed by the Company to act as Judges of Election for the meeting. The Judges of Election will treat shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and for purposes of determining the outcome of any other business submitted at the meeting to the stockholders for a vote. Abstentions, however, do not constitute a vote “against” any matter.

The Judges of Election will treat shares referred to as “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and that the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power to vote on a non-routine matter) as shares that are present and entitled to vote on routine matters and for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. The proposal to approve or disapprove the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year should be considered a routine matter. However, for purposes of determining the outcome of any non-routine matter as to which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will be treated as not present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter (even though those shares are considered entitled to vote for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other matters). Accordingly, broker non-votes will be disregarded in the calculation of “votes cast” and will have no effect on the vote. Notably, the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, the advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation and the proposal to approve or disapprove the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics should be considered non-routine matters.

Unless specification to the contrary is made, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR all the nominees for director, FOR the approval of the advisory vote for the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, for the option of ONE YEAR as the frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on executive compensation, FOR approval of the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics and FOR approval of the action of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in appointing KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.

The expenses of printing and distributing proxy material, including expenses involved in forwarding materials to beneficial owners of stock, will be paid by the Company. The Company’s officers or employees, without additional compensation, may solicit the return of proxies from certain stockholders by telephone or other means.

 

    VOTING SECURITIES

On March 13, 2017, the record date for the meeting, the Company had 172,544,891 shares of Common Stock outstanding, all of one class and each share having one vote with respect to all matters to be voted on at the meeting. This amount does not include 22,510,833 shares of treasury stock. Information as to Common Stock ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth in the tables on pages 14 and 15 (“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management”).

 

 
4        Murphy Oil Corporation


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Proposal 1—Election of Directors

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

The Board recognizes that it is important for the Company’s directors to possess a diverse array of backgrounds and skills, whether in terms of executive management leadership or educational achievement. When considering new candidates, the Nominating & Governance Committee, with input from the Board, takes into account these factors as well as other appropriate characteristics, such as sound judgment, honesty, and integrity. In addition, the Nominating & Governance Committee, when searching for nominees for directors, relies on the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which state, “The Company endeavors to have a board representing diverse experience at policy-making levels in business areas that are relevant to the Company’s global activities.” The goal is to assemble and maintain a Board comprised of individuals that not only bring to bear a wealth of business and/or technical expertise, but that also demonstrate a commitment to ethics in carrying out the Board’s responsibilities with respect to oversight of the Company’s operations.

To the extent authorized by the proxies, the shares represented by the proxies will be voted in favor of the election of the twelve nominees for director whose names are set forth herein. If for any reason any of these nominees is not a candidate when the election occurs, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted for the election of the other nominees named and may be voted for any substituted nominees or the Board may reduce its size. However, management of the Company does not expect this to occur.

All nominees other than Ms. Elisabeth Keller were elected at the last Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Ms. Keller, recommended by members of the Company’s Board of Directors, was elected to the Board of Directors effective December 6, 2016. One director, Ms. Caroline G. Theus, has attained retirement age and will not stand for re-election.

All directors other than Mr. Roger Jenkins have been deemed independent by the Board based on the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the standards of independence included in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. As part of its independence recommendation to the Board, the Nominating & Governance Committee at its February meeting considered familial relationships (Mr. Deming, Mr. Murphy and Ms. Keller are first cousins). The Committee also considered a hangar rental agreement with Union Holdings LLC (Mr. Murphy) which was determined to be a fair market value transaction at the rate of $6,000 annually.

Mr. Deming, the independent non-employee Chairman of the Board serves as presiding director at regularly scheduled board meetings as well as at no less than three meetings solely for non-employee directors. The meetings for non-employee directors are held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled February, August and December board meetings, at least one of which includes only independent non-employee directors.

 

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          5  


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LOGO

 

  

Proposal 1—Election of Directors (continued)

 

 

The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that stockholders and other interested parties may send communications to the Board, specified individual directors and the independent directors as a group c/o the Corporate Secretary, Murphy Oil Corporation, P.O. Box 7000, El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-7000. All such communications will be kept confidential unless otherwise required by law and relayed to the specified director(s). The names of the Director nominees and certain information as to them, are as follows:

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

 

   
     LOGO

 

 

T. JAY COLLINS

Houston, Texas

 

Age: 70

 

Director Since: 2013

  

Board Committees

 

   Executive
Compensation

 

   Nominating &
Governance

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   Oceaneering
International, Inc.
Houston, Texas

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Executive Officer, Retired, Oceaneering International, Inc., since May 2011; President and Chief Executive Officer, Oceaneering International, Inc., from May 2006 to May 2011

 

 

Mr. Collins has extensive knowledge of international management and corporate development. As a prior President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceaneering International, Inc., he has substantial knowledge and experience in the oil and gas industry. Among other qualifications, Mr. Collins brings to the Board experience in field operations, executive management and finance.

 

 

   
     LOGO

 

 

STEVEN A. COSSÉ

El Dorado, Arkansas

 

Age: 69

 

Director Since: 2011

  

Board Committees

 

   Executive

 

   Health, Safety &
Environmental

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   Simmons First National
Corporation
Pine Bluff,  Arkansas

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from June 2012 to August 2013, retired from the Company December 2013; previously Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company from February 2005 through February 2011, retired from the Company February 2011 to May 2012

 

 

Mr. Cossé’s long service in several capacities with the Company has helped him gain a proficient understanding of many areas, including environmental laws and regulations. Among other qualifications, Mr. Cossé brings to the Board expertise in corporate governance, banking and securities laws and executive leadership.

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

CLAIBORNE P. DEMING

El Dorado, Arkansas

 

Age: 62

 

Director Since: 1993

  

Board Committees

 

    Chairman of the Board

 

   Chair, Executive

 

    Health, Safety &
Environmental

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   Murphy USA Inc.
El Dorado, Arkansas

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from October 1994 through December 2008, retired from the Company June 2009

 

 

Mr. Deming’s experience as former President and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Oil Corporation gives him insight into the Company’s challenges, opportunities and operations. Among other qualifications, Mr. Deming brings to the Board executive leadership skills and over 30 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry.

 

 

 
6        Murphy Oil Corporation


Table of Contents

Proposal 1—Election of Directors (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

LAWRENCE R. DICKERSON

Houston, Texas

 

Age: 64

 

Director Since: 2014

  

Board Committees

 

   Audit

   Nominating &
Governance

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

 Oil States International,
Inc.
Houston, Texas

 Great Lakes Dredge &
Dock Company Oak
Brook, Illinois

  Hercules Offshore, Inc.
Chairman
Houston, Texas Until
2016

  
    

 

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Executive Officer, Retired, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., an offshore drilling company, since March 2014; President and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., from May 2008 through March 2014

 

  

Mr. Dickerson’s experience as the President and a director of Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. from March 1998 and as Chief Executive Officer from May 2008 until his retirement in March 2014 brings to the Board broad experience in leadership and financial matters. Among other qualifications, he brings to the Board expertise as a Certified Public Accountant and in international drilling operations.

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

ROGER W. JENKINS

El Dorado, Arkansas

 

Age: 55

 

Director Since: 2013

  

Board Committees

 

   Executive

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   None

 

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since August 2013 and President of Murphy Exploration & Production Company since June 2012; previously Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, Exploration & Production of the Company from June 2012 to August 2013; Executive Vice President, Exploration & Production of the Company and President of Murphy Exploration & Production Company from August 2009 to June 2012

 

 

Mr. Jenkins’ leadership as President and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Oil Corporation allows him to provide the Board with his detailed perspective of the Company’s global operations. With a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, a Master’s degree in Business Administration and over 30 years of industry experience, he has played a critical leadership role in Murphy’s worldwide exploration and production operations, including the development of the Kikeh field in Malaysia and the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas.

 

 

 
     LOGO  

ELISABETH W. KELLER

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

Age: 59

 

Director Since: 2016

  

Board Committees

 

   None

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   None

 

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President, Inglewood Plantation, LLC, since 2014; CEO, Keller Enterprises, LLC, from 2008 to 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Keller is the President of Inglewood Plantation, LLC and is responsible for the development of strategic vision and oversight of operations of the largest organic farm in Louisiana. She brings to the Board extensive knowledge in health and environmental issues, both domestically and internationally.

 

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          7  


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LOGO

 

  

Proposal 1—Election of Directors (continued)

 

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

JAMES V. KELLEY

Little Rock, Arkansas

 

Age: 67

 

Director Since: 2006

  

Board Committees

 

   Executive

   Chair, Nominating &
Governance

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   BancorpSouth, Inc. Tupelo,
Mississippi Until 2014

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Operating Officer, Retired, BancorpSouth, Inc. (a NYSE bank holding company) since August 2014; President and Chief Operating Officer, BancorpSouth, Inc. from 2001 to August 2014

 

 

Mr. Kelley has extensive knowledge of capital markets and accounting issues. As former President and Chief Operating Officer of BancorpSouth, Inc., he understands the fundamentals and responsibilities of operating a large company. Among other qualifications, Mr. Kelley brings to the Board experience in banking, finance and accounting, as well as executive management.

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

WALENTIN MIROSH

Calgary, Alberta

 

Age: 71

 

Director Since: 2011

  

Board Committees

 

   Executive Compensation

   Health, Safety &
Environmental

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   TC PipeLines GP, Inc.
Calgary, Alberta

 

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President, Mircan Resources Ltd., a private consulting company since January 2010

 

 

Mr. Mirosh, with his accomplishments in the chemical, natural gas, and investment industries, is able to provide the Board with dependable input in many areas. He brings to the Board experience in energy, regulatory and international law as well as skills in business development and corporate strategy.

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

R. MADISON MURPHY

El Dorado, Arkansas

 

Age: 59

 

Director Since: 1993
(Chairman, 1994-2002)

  

Board Committees

 

   Chair, Audit

   Executive

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   Deltic Timber Corporation
El Dorado, Arkansas

   Murphy USA Inc.
Chairman
El Dorado, Arkansas

 

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   Managing Member, Murphy Family Management, LLC, which manages investments, farm, timber and real estate, since 1998;

   President, The Murphy Foundation;

   Owner, The Sumac Company, LLC, which manages investments, timber and vineyard operations; and

   Owner, Presqu’ile Winery

 

 

Mr. Murphy served as Chairman of the Board of Murphy Oil Corporation from 1994 to 2002. This background, along with his current membership on the Board of Directors of Deltic Timber Corporation and Murphy USA Inc., brings to the Board and to the Audit Committee a unique business and financial perspective.

 

 

 
8        Murphy Oil Corporation


Table of Contents

Proposal 1—Election of Directors (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

JEFFREY W. NOLAN

Little Rock, Arkansas

 

Age: 48

 

Director Since: 2012

  

Board Committees

 

   Executive Compensation

   Nominating &
Governance

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   None

 

 

 
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President & Chief Executive Officer, Loutre Land and Timber Company, a natural resources company with a focus on the acquisition, ownership and management of timberland and mineral properties, since 1998

 

 

Mr. Nolan’s experience as President and Chief Executive Officer of a natural resources company, in addition to his former legal practice focused on business and corporate transactions, allows him to bring to the Board expertise in legal matters, corporate governance, corporate finance, acquisitions and divestitures and the management of mineral properties.

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

NEAL E. SCHMALE

La Jolla, California

 

Age: 70

 

Director Since: 2004

  

Board Committees

 

   Audit

   Chair, Executive
Compensation

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   WD-40 Company
San Diego, California

 

  
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   President and Chief Operating Officer, Retired, Sempra Energy, an energy services holding company, since October 2011; President and Chief Operating Officer, Sempra Energy, from February 2006 to October 2011

 

  

Mr. Schmale, as former Chief Operating Officer of Sempra Energy, brings to the Board the perspective of a corporate leader having faced external economic, social and governance issues. He also brings specific experience in financial matters from his prior service as Chief Financial Officer of Sempra Energy. He holds degrees in petroleum engineering and law, and has a vast knowledge in different fields concerning the oil industry.

 

 

 
     LOGO

 

 

LAURA A. SUGG

Montgomery, Texas

 

Age: 56

 

Director Since: 2015

  

Board Committees

 

   Audit

   Health, Safety &
Environmental

 

 

 

  

Certain other directorships

 

   Denbury Resources
Plano, Texas

   Williams Companies Inc.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Until 2016

 

  
    

Principal occupation or employment

 

   Senior Executive, Retired, ConocoPhillips, then an international, integrated oil company, since 2010

 

  

Ms. Sugg’s broad background in capital allocation and accomplishments in the energy industry allow her to bring to the Board expertise in industry, operational and technical matters. Among other qualifications, she brings to the Board specific experience in executive leadership, human resources, compensation and financial matters. As a former leader at ConocoPhillips, Ms. Sugg has a proficient understanding of an oil company’s challenges and opportunities.

 

 

 

LOGO

 

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each of the persons nominated by the Board.

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          9  


Table of Contents

 

LOGO

 

  

Proposal 1—Election of Directors (continued)

 

 

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The positions of Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company are held by two individuals. Mr. Deming serves as the Chairman of the Board as a non-executive and independent director. Mr. Jenkins is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Along with the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, other directors bring different perspectives and roles to the Company’s management, oversight and strategic development. The Company’s directors bring experience and expertise from both inside and outside the company and industry, while the Chief Executive Officer is most familiar with the Company’s business and industry, and most capable of leading the execution of the Company’s strategy. The Board believes that separating the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is currently in the best interest of stockholders because it provides the appropriate balance between strategy development and independent oversight of management. The Board will, however, maintain its flexibility to make this determination at any given point in time to provide appropriate leadership for the Company.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board exercises risk management oversight and control both directly and indirectly, the latter through various Board Committees. The Board regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s credit, liquidity and operations, including the risks associated with each. The Executive Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of financial risks and the ethical conduct of the Company’s business, including the steps the Company has taken to monitor and mitigate these risks. The Nominating & Governance Committee, in its role of reviewing and maintaining the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, manages risks associated with the independence of the Board and potential conflicts of interest. The Health, Safety & Environmental Committee oversees management of risks associated with environmental, health and safety issues. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly informed through committee reports and by management about the known risks to the strategy and the business of the Company.

COMMITTEES

The standing committees of the Board are the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the Executive Compensation Committee, the Nominating & Governance Committee and the Health, Safety & Environmental Committee.

The Executive Committee, in accordance with the Company’s by-laws, is vested with the authority to exercise certain

functions of the Board when the Board is not in session. The Executive Committee is also in charge of all financial, legal and general administrative affairs of the Company, subject to any limitations prescribed by the by-laws or by the Board.

The Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint or replace the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, which reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also assists the Board with its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, and the review of programs related to compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Audit Committee meets with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm and with members of the internal Auditing Department for these purposes. The Board has designated Neal E. Schmale as its “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K. All of the members of the Audit Committee including Mr. Schmale are independent under the rules of the NYSE and the Company’s independence standards.

The Executive Compensation Committee oversees the compensation of the Company’s executives and directors and administers the Company’s annual incentive compensation plan, the long-term incentive plan and the stock plan for non-employee directors. All of the members of the Executive Compensation Committee are independent under the rules of the NYSE and the Company’s independence standards. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section contains additional information about the Executive Compensation Committee. In carrying out its duties, the Executive Compensation Committee will have direct access to outside advisors, independent compensation consultants and others to assist them.

The Nominating & Governance Committee identifies and recommends potential Board members, recommends appointments to Board committees, oversees evaluation of the Board’s performance and reviews and assesses the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Company. All of the members of the Nominating & Governance Committee are independent under the rules of the NYSE and the Company’s independence standards. Information regarding the process for evaluating and selecting potential director candidates, including those recommended by stockholders, is set out in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Stockholders desiring to recommend candidates for membership on the Board for consideration by the Nominating & Governance Committee should address their recommendations to: Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Murphy Oil

 

 

 
10        Murphy Oil Corporation


Table of Contents

Proposal 1—Election of Directors (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Corporation, P.O. Box 7000, El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-7000. As a matter of policy, candidates recommended by stockholders are evaluated on the same basis as candidates recommended by Board members, executive search firms or other sources.

The Health, Safety & Environmental Committee assists the Board and management in monitoring compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety laws, rules and regulations as well as the Company’s Worldwide Health, Safety & Environmental Policy. Review of policies, procedures and practices regarding security of the Company’s people and property is also within the purview of this committee. The Committee assists the Board on matters relating to the Company’s response to evolving public issues affecting the Company in the realm of health, safety and the environment. The Committee has benefitted from the Company’s involvement with groups such as the American Petroleum Institute (API) and sponsorship of initiatives like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, which keeps abreast of emerging issues with respect to climate change.

Charters for the Audit, Executive Compensation, Nominating & Governance and Health, Safety & Environmental Committees, along with the Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Ethical Conduct for Executive Management, are available on the Company’s website, http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61237&p=irol-govHighlights.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE EVALUATIONS

The Board and the Audit, Executive Compensation, Nominating & Governance, and Health, Safety and Environmental Committees perform an annual self-evaluation. Each November, the directors are requested to provide their assessments of the effectiveness of the Board and the committees on which they serve. The individual assessments are organized and summarized for discussion with the Board and the committees.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During 2016, none of the members of the Executive Compensation Committee (i) was an officer or employee of the Company, (ii) was a former officer of the Company or (iii) had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company under any paragraph of Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE

During 2016, there were seven meetings of the Board, eleven meetings of the Executive Committee, six meetings of the Audit Committee, four meetings of the Executive Compensation Committee, four meetings of the Nominating & Governance Committee and two meetings of the Health, Safety & Environmental Committee. All nominees’ attendance exceeded 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees on which they served. Attendance for Board and committee meetings averaged 99% for the full year. All the Board members attended the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. As set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, all Board members are expected to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

 

LOGO

 

The Board and Committees
T. Jay Collins Steven A Cossé Claiborne P. Deming Lawrence R. Dickerson Roger W. Jenkins Elisabeth W. Keller James V. Kelley Walentin Mirosh R. Madison Murphy Jeffrey W. Nolan Neal E. Schmale Laura A. Sugg Caroline G. Theus
Board Executive Audit Executive Compensation Nominating & Governance Health, Safety & Environmental
C-Chair FE-Financial Expert

 

 
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Compensation of Directors

 

 

Since 2003, the Company’s standard arrangement for compensation of non-employee directors has included a combination of cash and equity. Directors can elect to defer their cash compensation into the Company’s Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (“NED DCP Plan”) which was approved by the Board of Directors on February 3, 2016. Deferred amounts are deemed to be notionally invested in the Company’s Stock Fund. The column below showing “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes any amounts that were voluntarily deferred to the NED DCP Plan. Mr. Mirosh (Canadian citizen) does not have the opportunity to defer cash compensation in this manner.

In 2016, the cash component consisted of an annual retainer of $60,000, plus $2,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. In February 2016, the Chairman of the Board requested his supplemental retainer remain at a reduced rate of 50% to $57,500. Supplemental retainers were also paid to the Audit Committee Chairman ($15,000), the Audit Committee Financial Expert ($10,000), other members of the Audit Committee ($7,500), the Executive Compensation Committee Chairman ($15,000) and the Chair of each other committee ($10,000). The Company also reimburses directors for reasonable travel, lodging and related expenses they incur in attending Board and committee meetings.

In 2016, the total equity compensation for non-employee directors was reduced to $150,000. Each non-employee director, other than Ms. Keller, received 7,789 time-based restricted stock units on February 3, 2016, which cliff vest after three years. Ms. Keller was elected to the Board of Directors on December 6, 2016, and was awarded at that time equivalent equity-based compensation on a pro-rated basis. Her award consisted of 376 time-based restricted stock units, which vest over the period beginning December 6, 2016, and ending on February 3, 2019.

The non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the matching gift program on the same terms as Murphy employees. Under this program, an eligible person’s total gifts of up to $12,500 per calendar year will qualify. The Company will contribute to qualified educational institutions and hospitals an amount equal to twice the amount (2 to 1) contributed by the eligible person. The Company will contribute to qualified welfare and cultural organizations an amount equal to (1 to 1) the contribution made by the eligible person. Those amounts are in the column below showing “All Other Compensation”.

 

 

2016 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 Name

  

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash

($)

     Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
     Option
Awards
($)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    

Change in
Pension Value
and

Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)(3)

    All Other
Compensation
($)
   

Total

($)

 
Claiborne P. Deming      167,502        150,016                                  317,518  
T. Jay Collins      90,006        150,016                                  240,022  
Steven A. Cossé      100,000        150,016                            25,000       275,016  
Lawrence R. Dickerson      99,500        150,016                            10,000       259,516  
Elisabeth W. Keller      17,000        12,517                                  29,517  
James V. Kelley      122,815        150,016                                  272,831  
Walentin Mirosh      86,002        150,016                                  236,018  
R. Madison Murphy      128,502        150,016                      15,778       37,315 (4)      331,611  
Jeffrey W. Nolan      90,002        150,016                            25,000       265,018  
Neal E. Schmale      126,502        150,016                            25,000       301,518  
Laura A. Sugg      86,687        150,016                                  236,703  
Caroline G. Theus      108,002        150,016                      (1,869           256,149  
(1) Represents grant date fair value of time-based restricted stock units awarded in 2016 as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates, as more fully described in Note J to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K Annual Report.

 

 
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Compensation of Directors (continued)

 

 

 

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(2) At December 31, 2016, total time-based restricted stock units outstanding were:

 

     Restricted
Stock Units
 
Claiborne P. Deming      15,511  
T. Jay Collins      15,511  
Steven A. Cossé      15,511  
Lawrence R. Dickerson      13,501  
Elisabeth W. Keller      376  
James V. Kelley      15,511  
Walentin Mirosh      15,511  
R. Madison Murphy      15,511  
Jeffrey W. Nolan      15,511  
Neal E. Schmale      15,511  
Laura A. Sugg      11,706  
Caroline G. Theus      15,511  

 

(3) The 1994 Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors was frozen on May 14, 2003. At that time, then current directors were vested based on their years of service, with no further benefits accruing and benefits being paid out according to the terms of the plan.
(4) Includes a one-time payment of $12,315 resulting from an administrative error by the Company related to Mr. Murphy’s SERP benefits. The Company learned in late 2016 that he did not begin receiving his SERP benefits in a timely manner as required by the terms of the SERP. The Company discovered the error during an internal audit of its benefits files and in 2016 provided Mr. Murphy with the missed SERP payments. This error by the Company caused Mr. Murphy to be subject to penalties and interest under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Company reimbursed Mr. Murphy for the resulting costs to him of the Company’s mistake.

 

 
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

 

As of December 31, 2016, the following are known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent of the Company’s Common Stock (as of the date of such stockholder’s Schedule 13G filing with the SEC):

 

 Name and address of beneficial owner   

Amount and

nature of

beneficial

ownership(1)

    Percentage  
Capital World Investors      17,899,680 (2)      10.300
333 South Hope Street     
Los Angeles, CA 90071                 
The Vanguard Group      17,446,659 (3)      10.130
100 Vanguard Blvd.     
Malvern, PA 19355                 
BlackRock Inc.      11,768,273 (4)      6.800
55 East 52nd Street     
New York, NY 10055                 
FMR LLC      11,183,512 (5)      6.494
245 Summer Street     
Boston, Massachusetts 02210                 
Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC      10,973,020 (6)      6.370
725 S. Figueroa Street 39th Fl     
Los Angeles, CA 90017                 
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.      10,734,128 (7)      6.200
100 E. Pratt Street     
Baltimore, MD 21202                 
State Street Corporation      10,553,184 (8)      6.130
State Street Financial Center     
One Lincoln Street     
Boston, MA 02111                 
Pzena Investment Management, LLC      8,610,715 (9)      5.000
320 Park Avenue, 8th floor     
New York, NY 10022                 
(1) Includes Common Stock for which the indicated owner has sole or shared voting or investment power and is based on the indicated owner’s Schedule 13G filing for the period ended December 31, 2016.
(2) An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). Total includes 17,899,680 sole voting power shares, -0- shared voting power shares, 17,899,680 sole dispositive power shares and -0- shared dispositive power shares. Beneficial ownership disclaimed pursuant to Rule 13d-4.
(3) An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). Total includes 259,353 sole voting power shares, 29,940 shared voting power shares, 17,170,458 sole dispositive power shares and 276,201 shared dispositive power shares.
(4) A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G). Total includes 10,257,296 sole voting power shares, -0- shared voting power shares, 11,768,273 sole dispositive power shares and -0- shared dispositive power shares.
(5) A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G). Total includes 2,212,312 sole voting power shares, -0- shared voting power shares, 11,183,512 sole dispositive power shares and -0- shared dispositive power shares.
(6) An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). Total includes 6,723,523 sole voting power shares, -0- shared voting power shares, 10,973,020 sole dispositive power shares and -0- shared dispositive power shares.
(7) These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) serves as investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities. Total includes 2,132,461 sole voting power shares, -0- shared voting power shares, 10,734,128 sole dispositive power shares and -0- shared dispositive power shares.
(8) A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G). Total includes -0- sole voting power shares, 10,553,184 shared voting power shares, -0- sole dispositive power shares and 10,553,184 shared dispositive power shares.
(9) An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). Total includes 3,758,253 sole voting power shares, -0- shared voting power shares, 8,610,715 sole dispositive power shares and -0- shared dispositive power shares.

 

 
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Security Ownership of Management

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

The following table sets forth information, as of February 13, 2017, concerning the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by all directors and nominees, each of the Named Executive Officers (as hereinafter defined), and directors and executive officers as a group.

 

 Name    Personal
with Full Voting
and  Investment
Power
(1)(2)
     Personal as
Beneficiary
of Trusts
     Voting and
Investment
Power Only
    Options
Exercisable
Within 60 Days
     Total     Percent of
Outstanding
(if greater than
one percent)
 
Claiborne P. Deming      844,370        1,639,538        209,720              2,693,628       1.56
T. Jay Collins      5,985                            5,985        
Steven A. Cossé      123,212                            123,212        
Lawrence R. Dickerson      1,837                            1,837        
Elisabeth W. Keller      246,639        845,546        200,000 (3)             1,292,185        
James V. Kelley      39,874                            39,874        
Walentin Mirosh      14,327                            14,327        
R. Madison Murphy      313,599        2,082,264        1,616,553 (4)             4,012,416 (5)      2.33
Jeffrey W. Nolan      280,645        140,528                     421,173        
Neal E. Schmale      55,636                            55,636        
Laura A. Sugg                                        
Caroline G. Theus      418,169        537,252        6,684 (6)             962,105        
Roger W. Jenkins      167,328                     655,564        822,892        
John W. Eckart      65,408                     148,082        213,490        
Eugene T. Coleman      30,359                     199,071        229,430        
Walter K. Compton      54,003                     152,433        206,436        
Michael K. McFadyen      56,275                     182,501        238,776        
Directors and executive officers as a group(7)      2,843,218        5,245,128        2,032,957       1,744,321        11,865,624       6.89
(1) Includes Company Thrift (401(k)) Plan shares in the following amounts: Mr. Cossé—24,707 shares; Mr. Jenkins—3,929 shares; Mr. Eckart—12,200 shares; Mr. Coleman—4,179 shares; Mr. Compton—6,932 shares; Mr. McFadyen—814 shares.
(2) Includes shares held by spouse and other household members as follows: Mr. Deming—48,006 shares which are held solely by spouse; Mr. Murphy—232,859 shares; Mr. Nolan—49,392 shares.
(3) Ms. Keller has no investment power for these shares.
(4) Includes 631,650 shares held by a private foundation of which Mr. Murphy is President for which beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed and 984,903 shares held by a limited partnership that is controlled by a limited liability company of which Mr. Murphy is a member. Mr. Murphy and his wife have beneficial interest in 15,533 of these shares.
(5) Total includes 184,785 shares that are pledged as security.
(6) Held as trustee in trust for Ms. Theus’ son.
(7) Includes eleven directors, thirteen executive officers and one director/officer.

 

 
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Security Ownership of Management (continued)

 

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock are required to report their ownership of the Company’s Common Stock and any changes in that ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Specific due dates for these reports have been established and the Company is required to report in this Proxy Statement any failure to file by these dates. Based upon a review of the copies of the reports filed by the Company’s directors and executive officers pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and on representations from such reporting persons the Company believes that all such persons complied with all applicable filing requirements during fiscal 2016.

REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS AND CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

During 2016, the Company did not have any transactions with related persons required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and no such transactions are currently proposed. The Nominating & Governance Committee reviews ordinary course of business transactions with related parties, including firms associated with directors and nominees for director. The Company’s management also monitors such transactions on an ongoing basis. Executive officers and directors are governed by the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which provides that waivers may only be granted by the Board and must be promptly disclosed to stockholders. No such waivers were granted or applied for in 2016. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require that all directors recuse themselves from any discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional interests.

 

 

 
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Proposal 2—Advisory Vote to Approve Executive
Compensation

 

 

 

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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) enables the Company’s stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. The Company has determined to submit Named Executive Officer compensation to an advisory (non-binding) vote annually. At the 2016 Annual Meeting, stockholders endorsed the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers with over 97% of the votes cast supporting the proposal.

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain the Named Executive Officers, who are critical to the Company’s success. Under these programs, the Named Executive Officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals, corporate goals, and the realization of increased stockholder value. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” along with the information in the compensation tables for additional details about the executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal year 2016 compensation of the Named Executive Officers.

Stockholders are asked to indicate their support for the Named Executive Officer compensation as described in this

proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the Named Executive Officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, stockholders are requested to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2016 Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.”

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Executive Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and the Executive Compensation Committee value the opinions of stockholders and to the extent there is a significant vote against the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Executive Compensation Committee will consider stockholders’ concerns and will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

 

 

LOGO

 

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the advisory vote for the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers

 

 
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Proposal 3—Approval of an Advisory Vote on the
Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) enables stockholders to recommend how frequently the Company should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s compensation disclosure rules, such as Proposal 2 above. By voting on this Proposal 3, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation once every one, two, or three years or to abstain from voting.

After careful consideration of this Proposal, the Board of Directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for Murphy and therefore recommends that stockholders vote for a one-year interval for the advisory vote on executive compensation.

In formulating its recommendation, the Board of Directors considered that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow stockholders to provide the Company

with direct input on the Company’s compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year. Additionally, an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is consistent with the Company’s policy of seeking input from, and engaging in discussions with, stockholders on corporate governance matters and its executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. The Company understands that stockholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for Murphy, and it looks forward to hearing from stockholders on this Proposal.

Stockholders are asked to indicate their preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting in response to the resolution set forth below:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company advise that an advisory resolution with respect to executive compensation should be presented every one, two or three years as reflected by their votes for each of these alternatives in connection with this resolution.”

 

 

 

 

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The Board recommends that stockholders vote for the option of “ONE YEAR” as the frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on executive compensation.

 

 
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Proposal 4—Approval of the Proposed 2012 Long-Term
Incentive Plan Performance Metrics

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s CEO or any of the company’s three most highly compensate executive officers (other than the CFO) who are employed as of the end of the year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for “performance-based” compensation. Market-priced stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) are two examples of performance-based compensation. Other types of awards, such as restricted stock and restricted stock units that are granted pursuant to pre-established objective performance formulas, may also qualify as fully-deductible performance-based compensation, so long as certain requirements are met. One of the requirements for compensation to qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m) is that the use of multiple criteria requires re-approval of the goals by stockholders at least every five years.

The 2012 LTI Plan is structured so as to qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m). While the Company contemplates continuing to use total shareholder return as the performance criteria for the performance-based awards, the 2012 LTI Plan also includes a list of possible performance criteria that could be used for determination of performance-based awards including:

 

i. Earnings (either in the aggregate or on a per-share basis)

 

ii. Net income

 

iii. Operating income

 

iv. Operating profit

 

v. Cash flow

 

vi. Stockholder returns, including return on assets, investments, equity, or invested capital (including income applicable to common stockholders or other class of stockholders)

 

vii. Return measures (including return on assets, equity, or invested capital)

 

viii. Earnings before or after either, or any combination of, interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization (EBITDA)

 

ix. Gross revenues

 

x. Share price (including growth measures and total stockholder return or attainment by the Shares of a specified value for a specified period of time)

 

xi. Reductions in expense levels in each case, where applicable, determined either on a Company-wide basis or in respect of any one or more subsidiaries or business units thereof
xii. Economic value

 

xiii. Market share

 

xiv. Annual net income to common stock

 

xv. Earnings per share

 

xvi. Annual cash flow provided by operations

 

xvii. Changes in annual revenues

 

xviii. Strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified revenue, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, objectively identified project milestones, production volume levels, cost targets, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures

 

xix. Operational performance measures tied to refining including production volumes, refining downtimes, environmental compliance, safety and accident rates, and refining margins

 

xx. Operational measures tied to exploration and production including changes in proven reserves, drilling costs, lifting costs, and exploration costs

 

xxi. Operational measures tied to marketing and retail operations including sales volume increases, sales volume increases per existing retail store, retail margins, special product volumes, and increases in specific product volumes

 

xxii. Operating and maintenance cost management, provided that subsections i through vii may be measured on a pre- or post-tax basis; and provided further that the Committee may, on the Grant Date of an Award intended to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, and in the case of other grants, at any time, provide that the formula for such Award may include or exclude items to measure specific objectives, such as losses from discontinued operations, extraordinary gains or losses, the cumulative effect of accounting changes, acquisitions or divestitures, foreign exchange impacts and any unusual, nonrecurring gain or loss.

For Awards intended to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall set the Performance Measures within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code. The levels of performance required with respect to Performance Measures may be expressed in absolute or relative levels and may be based upon a set increase, set positive result, maintenance of the status quo, set decrease or set negative result. Performance Measures may differ for Awards to different Grantees. The Committee shall specify the weighting (which may be the same or different for multiple objectives) to be given to each performance objective for purposes of determining the final amount payable with

 

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          19  


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Proposal 4—Approval of the Proposed 2012 Long-Term
Incentive Plan Performance Metrics
(continued)

 

 

respect to any such Award. Any one or more of the Performance Measures may apply to the Grantee, a department, unit, division, or function within the Company or any one or more affiliates; and may apply either alone or relative to the performance of other businesses or individuals (including industry or general market indices). The Committee shall have the discretion to adjust the determination of the degree of attainment of the pre-established performance goals; provided that Awards which are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception may not be adjusted upward (the Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust

such Awards downward). The Committee may not delegate any responsibility with respect to Awards intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception. All determinations by the Committee as to the achievement of the Performance Measure(s) shall be in writing prior to payment of the Award.

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, the performance measures of the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the performance measures of the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

 
20        Murphy Oil Corporation


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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

BACKGROUND

Murphy Oil Corporation is an independent exploration and production (“E&P”) company with a portfolio of global offshore and onshore assets delivering oil-weighted production. Murphy produces oil and natural gas in the United States, Canada and Malaysia. The Company’s long-term strategy as an independent E&P company is focused on the following key priorities that management believes will drive value for its stockholders: (1) develop differentiated perspectives in underexplored basins and plays; (2) continue to be a preferred partner to national oil companies and regional independents; (3) provide balance to the global offshore business by developing unconventional onshore plays in North America; (4) develop and produce fields in a safe, responsible, timely and cost effective manner; and (5) achieve and maintain a sustainable, profitable, oil weighted portfolio.

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) provides stockholders with an understanding of the Company’s compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices in place during 2016, as well as factors considered by the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in making compensation decisions for 2016. For your reference, the Company’s CD&A is outlined in the following sections:

 

Executive Summary   Page

•  The Company’s 2016 Operational and Financial Highlights

  22

•  Impact of 2016 Company Performance on Executive Compensation

  22

•  Actions Related to 2016 Performance

  23

•  CEO Compensation

  24

•  Other NEO Compensation

  24

•  Stockholder Engagement

  24

•  Compensation and Corporate Governance Policies – “What We Do” and “What We Don’t Do”

  25
Introduction   26
Guiding Principles   27

•  Risk Evaluation

  28
Elements of Compensation   28
A. Base Salary   28
B. Annual Incentive Plan   28
C. Long-Term Incentive Compensation   30
D. Employee Benefits and Perquisites   32
Actions Related to 2017 Executive Compensation   33
Executive Compensation Committee Report   34

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This CD&A focuses on the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) listed below, whose compensation is set forth in the Summary Compensation table and other compensation tables contained in the proxy statement.

 

Name    Title
Roger W. Jenkins   

President & Chief Executive Officer

John W. Eckart   

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Eugene T. Coleman   

Executive Vice President, Offshore

Walter K. Compton   

Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Michael K. McFadyen   

Executive Vice President, Onshore

On December 7, 2016, the Company announced the elections of Eugene T. Coleman as Executive Vice President, Offshore and Michael K. McFadyen as Executive Vice President, Onshore.

The Company’s compensation plans and practices are designed to align the financial interests of the above NEOs with the financial interests of its stockholders. To that end, NEOs are provided with a competitive base salary, an annual cash bonus opportunity based on the achievement of specific goals aligned with stockholder value creation and long-term incentives.

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

OUR 2016 OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

During fiscal year 2016, the energy industry was faced with numerous challenges. The commodity price collapse, which began in 2014, continued with a severity and duration greater than anticipated. In response, the Company took decisive actions to manage the challenges head-on and is emerging a stronger company. In 2016, Murphy delivered stabilized production following non-core asset divestitures, high-graded its portfolio, strengthened its financial health, and streamlined its organization. All of this was accomplished while achieving a record year in safety performance. Over the long-term, attaining the Company’s key business objectives is fundamental to delivering shareholder returns. Murphy’s specific achievements in 2016 include:

HIGHGRADING THE PORTFOLIO

 

  Murphy increased its long-term growth opportunities by high-grading its onshore portfolio by acquiring lands in the Kaybob Duvernay and Placid Montney at the trough in the commodity price cycle.

 

  Murphy divested non-core synthetic and heavy oil assets as well as natural gas processing plants in Canada generating $1.2 billion cash.

 

  The Company expanded its offshore exploration portfolio by farming into a successful exploration prospect in the Gulf of Mexico as well as capturing a highly competitive block in Mexico’s deepwater bid round.

STABILIZING PRODUCTION AT LOWER CAPEX

 

  Murphy produced over 175 Mboepd in 2016, at the top end of the annual guidance of 174 to 175 Mboepd.

 

  Capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, were $604.8 million, over a 72% reduction from 2015 levels.

REDUCING COSTS

 

  In 2016, Murphy lowered lease operating expenses, excluding Syncrude, to $7.87 per boe, a 15% reduction from 2015.

 

  Murphy decreased selling and general expenses by 14% year-over-year, as a result of focusing on Company-wide cost reductions and streamlining the organization.

MAINTAINING SHAREHOLDER FOCUS

 

  Murphy adjusted its dividend due to lower oil and natural gas prices, while maintaining a top quartile yield during 2016.

 

  Murphy did not issue equity at the bottom of the cycle and stabilized the Company through lower capital spending and cost reductions.

MAINTAINING BALANCE SHEET STRENGTH

 

  Murphy issued $550.0 million of eight year notes, holding the proceeds as cash on the balance sheet.

 

  The Company entered into a new $1.1 billion unsecured guaranteed revolving credit facility, which remained undrawn at year end.

 

  Finished the year with $1.0 billion of cash and invested cash on the balance sheet.

OUTSTANDING SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

 

  Murphy achieved record safety performance in 2016 by reporting a total recordable incident rate (number of accidents per 200,000 work hours; “TRIR”) of 0.19 including all employees and contractors, a 32% improvement year-over-year, and exceeded the Company’s TRIR goal of 0.38 for 2016.

 

  The spill rate (number of reportable spills greater than one barrel per million barrels of oil equivalent of operated production) for 2016 was an exceptional 0.09 as compared to 0.21 in 2015.

IMPACT OF 2016 COMPANY PERFORMANCE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Murphy has structured its cash and equity-based compensation program to position approximately 90% of the CEO’s and 75%-80% of the other NEO’s target total direct compensation opportunity in at-risk compensation components tied to the

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

 

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achievement of short- and long-term performance criteria aligned with the Company’s business objectives. Actual at-risk compensation was lower than targeted opportunity in 2016 due to reductions in long-term incentives received. Short-term incentives are paid in the form of annual cash bonus opportunities tied to the achievement of specific performance goals aligned with stockholder value creation. Long-term incentives combine performance-based and time-based restricted stock units and stock options to provide a compensation opportunity aligned with the Company’s long-term stock performance, delivered through awards that are performance based in absolute and relative terms, while also encouraging retention.

ACTIONS RELATED TO 2016 PERFORMANCE

 

Base Salary   Annual Incentives   Long-Term Equity Incentives

•  No Adjustments to NEO Base Salaries

 

 

The Company provides base salaries to its NEOs which are structured to reward executives for the performance of their regular duties and responsibilities associated with their management of the organization.

 

Murphy targets the 50th percentile (median) level of base salaries paid by a select group of 10 peer companies in the exploration and production sector.

 

During 2016, the Company made no adjustments to the base salaries of its CEO and NEOs. This was the second consecutive year in which the Company elected to keep executive base salaries fixed at current levels in recognition of the difficult economic environment for oil and gas exploration and production companies.

 

•  Exercised Negative Discretion on Annual Incentive Plan (“AIP”) Awards

 

The Murphy AIP is a performance-driven plan intended to comply with the requirements of a performance plan pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan, which establishes threshold, target, and maximum levels of financial, strategic, and operational goals within the first 90 days of the fiscal year, is formulaic in its application and the Committee is permitted to adjust calculated awards by means of negative discretion.

 

For the fiscal year 2016, the AIP measured performance in the following areas:

 

•  EBITDA/BOE;

 

•  Lease Operating Expense/BOE;

 

•  Safety (Total Recordable Incident Rate);

 

•  Environmental (Spill Rate);

 

•  Production (BOEPD); and

 

•  Produced Proved Reserve Replacement

 

Based upon the Company’s performance during fiscal year 2016, Murphy met or exceeded the performance goals in four of the six areas measured. The Company failed to achieve its threshold performance level of produced reserves replacement, and the AIP formula for the NEO positions resulted in an earned performance score of 138.76% of target.

 

Because the Company failed to reach a level of profitability during 2016 despite meeting or exceeding most of its key operating and strategic goals, the Executive Compensation Committee elected to exercise negative discretion bringing NEO payouts to a level commensurate with those of other plan participants.

 

•  Reduced Value of Long-Term Incentive Grants for 2016

 

 

In February 2016, the Executive Compensation Committee approved long-term incentive grants to the NEOs and all other long-term incentive plan participants for 2016. The Committee awarded grants in the form of: 50% of value in the form of performance-based restricted stock units; 25% of value in the form of fixed-price stock options; and 25% of value in the form of time-based restricted stock units. Due to the oil prices collapse’s impact on the Company, the Committee elected to award the same absolute number of shares for the 2016 grants for each NEO and all other participants as to the number of shares granted in 2015. This decision resulted in an approximate 63% decrease in the grant date fair value of the 2016 grants. In the judgment of the Committee, this grant strategy fairly addressed the significant oil price collapse’s impact on the Company and still provided management with an opportunity to earn competitive long-term award values.

 

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

ACTIONS RELATED TO 2016 PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

 

Base Salary   Annual Incentives   Long-Term Equity Incentives  
   

 

The following provides a summary of the results for fiscal year 2016 based on relative TSR performance and the impact of such performance upon grants occurring in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The 2016 grants of awards were compared to a different peer group than the 2014 and 2015 awards.

 

 

           

2014

RSUs

   

2015

RSUs

   

2016

RSUs

 
    Year 1     74.00%       50.60%       122.00%  
    Year 2     50.60%       131.40%       TBD  
    Year 3     131.40%       TBD       TBD  
    Cumulative Years 1-3     59.00%       TBD       TBD  
    Total     78.75%       TBD       TBD  

 

CEO COMPENSATION

The CEO recognized a reduction in his 2015 total target direct compensation for fiscal year 2016 in consideration of the Company’s performance during the year. In February 2016, the Committee elected to hold the CEO’s base salary fixed at the level established at the end of fiscal year 2014, $1,300,000. Mr. Jenkins’ annual incentive award (cash bonus, payable in first quarter 2017) was paid at the level of $1,950,000, which represents 111% of his target award opportunity. In February 2016, the Committee granted the CEO long-term incentive compensation with a grant date fair value of $3,517,415, which represents a 63% reduction in the target value of long-term compensation compared to 2015. In aggregate, Mr. Jenkins’ total direct compensation for 2016 was $6,767,415 which is a 44.27% reduction in total compensation from his 2015 level.

OTHER NEO COMPENSATION

In February 2016, the Committee approved the recommendation from the CEO to hold base salaries fixed at current levels for the other NEOs.

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

The Company values the feedback and insights that it receives from its stockholders through ongoing dialogue. At the 2016 Annual Meeting, a proposal seeking an advisory vote on executive compensation for the Company’s NEOs (see “Tabular Information for Named Executive Officers”) was submitted to stockholders. Stockholders endorsed the Company’s NEO compensation, with over 97% of the votes cast indicating approval.

 

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

 

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COMPENSATION AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICIES – “What We Do” and “What We Don’t Do”

Murphy is committed to developing and implementing executive compensation and corporate governance policies which are directly aligned with the best interests of our stockholders. In this regard, we have adopted executive compensation practices which are considered to be “best practices” and which will ensure that we have put stockholder interests in the forefront. The following table lists the practices that Murphy has implemented which describe the best practices we have adopted as “What We Do” as well as a listing of practices identified as “What We Don’t Do” that we consider not to be aligned with our stockholders’ interests.

 

“What We Do”    “What We Don’t Do”

Stock Ownership Guidelines—The Company has adopted director and officer stock ownership guidelines which state that directors are to own and hold Company shares equal in value to five times the director’s annual cash retainer within five years of commencing Board service, whereas officers of the Company or any of its operating subsidiaries are expected to own and hold a number of shares at least equal in value to a multiple of base salary, depending upon the officer’s position (5.0 times for the CEO, 2.5 times for EVPs, 2.0 times for SVPs, and 1.0 times for VPs).

 

Pay for Performance—Murphy’s executive compensation program is driven by its pay for performance strategy and which is directly aligned with the achievement of Company business objectives, business strategies, and financial results. The Company has structured its executive compensation program such that more than 75% of a NEO’s direct compensation is in the form of variable compensation tied to Company performance through the annual incentive and long-term incentive compensation plans.

 

Restrictive Pledging Policy—The Company has adopted corporate governance guidelines which apply to directors and officers. A director or officer may not pledge Company securities, including the purchasing of Company securities on margin or holding Company securities in a margin account, until he or she has achieved the applicable stock ownership target specified in the guidelines above. Once such stock ownership target has been achieved, such director or officer is permitted to pledge Company securities in compliance with applicable law (including disclosure of such pledging in the Company’s Proxy Statement as required by SEC regulations), as long as all stock owned to satisfy the applicable stock ownership target remains unpledged. Any pledging of shares should be disclosed to the Company in advance.

 

Anti-Hedging Policy—The Company has implemented corporate governance guidelines that state: “Directors, officers, and employees are prohibited from engaging in any hedging transactions (including transactions involving options, puts, calls, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds, or other derivatives) that are designed to hedge or speculate on any change in the market value of the Company’s securities.”

 

Limited Perquisites—The Company’s executive officers, including the NEOs, receive no perquisites or special executive benefits, unless such benefits serve a reasonable purpose, such as limited use of Company aircraft by the CEO.

 

Clawback Provision—In connection with the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company has adopted a policy allowing for the recovering of incentive-based compensation under certain circumstances including a potential restatement of Company financial statements.

 

Independent Compensation Advisor—The Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has retained the services of Pay Governance LLC as its independent advisor regarding executive compensation issues facing the Committee. The Committee retains the right to engage, retain, and/or terminate the services of its advisory consultant in its full discretion. Pay Governance LLC provides no other services to Murphy or the Committee beyond its executive compensation advisory services.

 

Annual Stockholder Say-on-Pay Vote—Since the inception of the stockholder advisory vote regarding Say-on-Pay, Murphy has allowed for such a vote annually and has received a highly favorable (95% or higher) voting result each year.

  

X No Employment Agreements—The Company does not have written employment agreements specifying compensation levels and practices for its NEOs or any Company employee. The only written agreement in effect is the Company’s change in control protection for its CEO in the CEO’s Severance Protection Agreement which is only operative in the event that the CEO is involuntarily terminated without cause or terminates for specified good reason following a change in control transaction.

 

X No Tax Gross-Up Payments—The Company does not provide its CEO or other NEOs with tax gross-up payments for any form of executive compensation, including the change in control severance compensation for the CEO.

 

X No Backdating of Stock Options—Murphy has never engaged in the practice of backdating stock options or other forms of equity compensation.

 

X No Payment of Dividends on Unearned Performance Awards—With respect of unearned long-term performance awards measured or paid in Company stock, the grantee will not receive dividends pursuant to such granted awards until such stock is earned and/or paid.

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Committee oversees and approves the compensation of the Company’s NEOs. The Committee currently consists of four members, all of whom have been determined by the Board to satisfy the heightened independence requirements of the NYSE and the Company’s categorical independence standards. The Nominating & Governance Committee recommends nominees for appointment to the Committee annually and as vacancies or newly created positions occur. Committee members are appointed and approved by the Board and may be removed by the Board at any time. Members of the Committee during 2016 were Neal E. Schmale (Chair), T. Jay Collins, Walentin Mirosh and Jeffrey W. Nolan.

The Committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the Chief Executive Officer and other NEO compensation and evaluates the CEO’s performance in light of these goals and objectives. Any decisions regarding the CEO’s compensation are made solely by the Committee based on that evaluation. For NEOs other than the CEO, the Committee considers the performance evaluations made by the CEO and the recommendations of the CEO.

The Committee administers and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s incentive and equity-based compensation plans, and it reviews and approves awards granted under such plans.

As set forth in its charter, which can be found on the Company’s website, the Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of director, CEO or senior executive compensation and has the sole authority to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. Advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors is also available to the Committee. In 2016, the Committee retained Pay Governance LLC as an independent compensation consultant. All Pay Governance invoices were approved by the Committee’s Chair prior to payment. In its role as an advisor to the Committee, Pay Governance attended three Committee meetings and provided the Committee with objective and expert analyses, independent advice and information with respect to executive and director compensation. Pay Governance does not provide any other consulting services to the Committee or to the Company, other than those dealing with executive compensation and the compensation of non-employee directors. The Committee periodically evaluates the performance and independence of Pay Governance. In 2016, Pay Governance delivered a letter to the Committee that provided full disclosure relating to Pay Governance LLC’s relationship to the Company, taking into account the SEC’s Consultant Independence Factors and Pay Governance’s Independence Policy. The Committee has determined that there are no business or personal relationships between Pay Governance and the members of the Committee or the Company’s executive officers that may create a conflict of interest impairing Pay Governance’s ability to provide independent objective advice to the Committee.

Pay Governance provides the Committee with, among other things, an analysis of trends and compensation data for general industry, the oil and gas industry and a select group of comparator companies within the oil and gas industry. In 2016 the Committee used two separate peer groups in designing the compensation programs for the Company: the compensation peer group and the TSR peer group.

In late 2015, as well as in early 2016, the Committee conducted a detailed assessment of the peer group compositions. In February 2016, the Committee ultimately concluded that bifurcating the peer group into a separate group of companies which have more complex global operations with commensurate employee skill sets are those types of organizations with which Murphy competes for executive and management talent and are more appropriate for compensation benchmarking purposes. However, the Committee further determined that ConocoPhillips had grown to a size and scope of operations that far exceeded the magnitude of Murphy’s operations, and that Encana Corporation was a more appropriate comparator company for inclusion within Murphy’s peer group. Therefore, for 2016, the Committee removed ConocoPhillips from the Murphy peer comparison and benchmarking process and replaced ConocoPhillips with Encana Corporation in both the full TSR peer group and the compensation comparator group. In October 2016, the Committee again reviewed the composition of the peer companies and determined that the 2016 bifurcated peer group remains representative of Murphy’s operations. Therefore, it approved utilizing the same peer groups for 2017. The table below sets forth the 2016 historical and 2017 peer groups for Murphy.

 

Company Name  

2016

Compensation

Peer

 

2016

TSR

Peer

 

2017

Compensation

Peer

 

2017

TSR

Peer

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation   X   X   X   X
Apache Corporation   X   X   X   X
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation       X       X
Chesapeake Energy Corporation   X   X   X   X
Cimarex Energy Co.       X       X
Devon Energy Corporation   X   X   X   X
Encana Corporation   X   X   X   X
EOG Resources, Inc.   X   X   X   X
Hess Corporation   X   X   X   X
Marathon Oil Corporation   X   X   X   X
Newfield Exploration Company       X       X
Noble Energy, Inc.   X   X   X   X
Pioneer Natural Resources Corporation   X   X   X   X
Range Resources Corporation       X       X
Southwestern Energy Corporation       X       X
Whiting Petroleum Corporation       X       X
 

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

In addition to comparator company information, the Committee uses Mercer Human Resource Consulting Energy 27 survey information to determine competitive market pay levels for the NEOs. The Committee also reviews a special analysis of the competitive pay levels of the Company’s compensation peer group in establishing pay levels for the CEO and NEOs.

The Committee generally takes action on compensation matters, including the grant of long-term incentive awards, at its meeting held in conjunction with the February Board meeting. The exercise price of stock options is based on the average of the high and the low market price for the Company’s shares on the date of grant. At this meeting the Committee also considers adjustments to NEO base salary, annual incentive bonus opportunities and grants of long-term incentive awards. The Committee also meets at other times during the year as necessary and, in 2016, met four times. A copy of the Committee’s charter can be found on the Company’s website, http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61237&p=irol-govHighlights.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Committee bases its executive compensation decisions on principles designed to align the interests of executives with those of stockholders. The Committee intends compensation to provide a direct link with the Company’s objectives, business strategies and financial results. In order to motivate, attract and retain key executives who are critical to its long-term success, the Company believes that its pay package should be competitive with others in the oil and gas industry. In addition, the Company believes that executives should be rewarded for both the short-term and long-term success of the Company and, conversely, be subject to a degree of downside risk in the event that the Company does not achieve its performance objectives. In order to promote the long-term, as well as short-term interests of the Company, and to more closely align the interests of its key employees to those of its stockholders, the Company uses a mix of short-term and long-term incentives in its compensation packages. Individuals in primary positions to influence the growth of stockholder wealth have larger portions of their total compensation delivered in the form of equity-based long-term incentives. To this end, executives have a compensation package which includes a base salary, participation in a cash-based annual incentive plan, participation in an equity-based long-term incentive plan and certain other compensation, including customary benefits as discussed in Section D of Elements of Compensation. In addition, the compensation package for the CEO includes limited personal use of Company aircraft. The Company believes that this combination of base salary, short-term incentives, long-term incentives and employee benefits provides the best balance between the need for the Company

to provide executive compensation which is competitive in the marketplace and therefore necessary for recruiting and retention, and the desire to have management’s interests, motivations and prosperity aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.

The Company had no employment agreements with the NEOs in effect in 2016. In connection with his appointment to President and CEO, Mr. Jenkins has a Severance Protection Agreement dated August 7, 2013. The Company had no other severance protection, change in control or termination agreements with the NEOs in effect in 2016. Under the terms of the Company’s incentive plans, in the event of a change in control, each NEO would retain his “earned” compensation and all outstanding equity awards held by each NEO would vest, become immediately exercisable or payable, or have all restrictions lifted as may apply to the type of the award. Entry into employment or other agreements with the NEOs may be considered from time to time.

At the Company’s Annual Meeting of stockholders held on May 11, 2016, the Company’s stockholders had the opportunity to cast an advisory vote (a “say-on-pay” proposal) to approve the compensation of the NEOs, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the meeting. Stockholders approved the say-on-pay proposal by the affirmative vote of over 97% of the shares cast on that proposal. While the Committee believes this affirms stockholders’ support of the Company’s approach to executive compensation during 2015, and therefore did not materially change the overall approach to executive compensation in 2016, the Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for the NEOs.

At the 2011 Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders had the opportunity to cast an advisory vote (a “say-on-frequency” proposal) on how often the Company should include a say-on-pay proposal in its proxy statements for future annual meetings. Stockholders had the choice of voting to have the say-on-pay vote every year, every two years or every three years. The frequency receiving the highest number of votes was every year. In accordance with this vote, the Board decided to hold the say-on-pay advisory vote every year.

The Committee generally seeks to structure executive compensation in a tax efficient manner. The 2012 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”), the 2017 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) and the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 LTI Plan”) are intended to provide performance-based compensation that is deductible under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Committee has not elected to adopt a policy requiring compensation to be tax deductible to maintain flexibility in structuring executive compensation to attract highly qualified executive talent and to further our business goals and compensation philosophy.

 

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

RISK EVALUATION

In order to monitor the risk associated with executive compensation, in October 2016, the Committee reviewed a report from Pay Governance assessing the risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices. The Committee agreed with the report’s findings that these risks were within the Committee’s ability to effectively monitor and manage and the programs do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking and do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION

The Company’s executive compensation program includes a base salary, participation in an annual cash-based incentive plan, long-term incentive compensation, employee benefits and limited perquisites. The Committee believes that a majority of an executive officer’s total direct compensation opportunity should be performance-based. The Committee determines an executive’s total direct compensation opportunity based on compensation peer company information and survey data provided by Pay Governance to ensure the program is competitive with the compensation peer group in order to attract and retain talented executives.

The elements of the Company’s executive compensation program are outlined herein.

A.    Base Salary

The objectives of the base salary component of compensation include:

 

1) to provide a fixed level of compensation to reward the executive for day-to-day execution of primary duties and responsibilities;

 

2) to assist the Company in the attraction and retention of a highly skilled competitive leadership team by paying base salaries competitive with those paid by the Company’s compensation peer group; and

 

3) to provide a foundation level of compensation upon which incentive opportunities can be added to provide the motivation to deliver superior performance.

The Company targets the median (“50th percentile”) of competitive market pay levels for the base salary of the NEOs. The Company targets the 50th percentile because it believes that it allows the organization to recruit, attract, and retain qualified management talent having the requisite skills and competencies to manage the Company and to deliver additional value for stockholders. In practice, some executives

are paid above or below the 50th percentile because of their individual job performance, time in the position, and/or tenure with the Company, and in some cases, potential for advancement. Executives’ salaries are ultimately determined based on the market pay levels, as well as a combination of experience, duties and responsibilities, individual performance, Company performance, general economic conditions and marketplace compensation trends. In consideration of the downturn in the oil and gas market and general economic conditions, the Committee made no adjustments to the base salaries of its Named Executive Officers in 2016 as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer   

2015

Base Salary

    

2016

Base Salary

    

Adjustment

for 2016

 
Roger W. Jenkins    $ 1,300,000      $ 1,300,000        0
John W. Eckart    $ 515,000      $ 515,000        0
Eugene T. Coleman    $ 562,000      $ 562,000        0
Walter K. Compton    $ 541,000      $ 541,000        0
Michael K. McFadyen*    $ 422,289      $ 422,289        0
* Mr. McFadyen is paid in Canadian dollars. His base salary is C$566,938 and he received no increase in 2016. The currency conversation factor utilized throughout this compensation discussion and analysis is 0.74486 Canadian dollars to one U.S. dollar.

B.    Annual Incentive Plan

The objectives of the Company’s annual incentive program are:

 

1) to provide cash-based incentive compensation linked to Company performance to those officers, executives, and key employees who contribute significantly to the growth and success of the Company;

 

2) to attract and retain individuals of outstanding ability;

 

3) to align the interests of those who hold positions of major responsibility in the Company with the interests of the Company’s stockholders; and

 

4) to promote excellent operational performance by rewarding executives when they achieve it.

The Committee targets the 50th percentile (median) of competitive market pay levels for its annual target incentive compensation because the Committee believes it allows the Company to motivate its executives. Executives have the opportunity to be compensated above the median of market pay levels when the Company has above market performance based on established performance measures. In February 2016, the Committee reviewed an analysis of the top executives prepared by Pay Governance. For 2016, the target bonus percentages of the Company’s NEOs were at the median of the competitive market and no adjustments were made.

 

 

 
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The Company’s current cash-based annual incentive plans, the 2012 Plan, was approved by stockholders at the 2012 annual meeting. Amounts earned under the 2012 Plan are intended to qualify as tax-deductible “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The 2012 Plan provides the Committee with a list of performance criteria to be used for determination of performance-based awards. The Company submitted to shareholders in its 2016 proxy a request for approval of the 2017 Annual Incentive plan so that the Company’s annual plan will continue to be considered a performance plan pursuant to Section 162(m). Shareholders approved the 2017 plan as submitted at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

For 2016, the performance criteria utilized by the Committee included a mixture of a safety performance metric, an environmental performance metric, financial metrics, and operating metrics designed to work across the Company.

 

2016 Performance Criteria
Safety: Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)    The Company’s TRIR is calculated as the number of incidents for both contractors and employees worldwide per 200,000 work hours. The health and safety of the Company’s employees and contractors is important to the Company. Inclusion of a safety metric reflects the Company’s emphasis on safe operations by both employees and contractors.
Environmental: Spill Rate    The Company’s global spill rate is calculated as number of spills equal to or greater than one barrel per million BOEs(1) produced. Inclusion of a spill metric reflects the Company’s commitment to environmentally sound operations.

Financial:

EBITDA/BOE(1)

Lease Operating Expense (“LOE”/BOE(1))

   These financial goals focus on financial discipline and encourage employees to manage costs relative to gross margins and the commodity price environment.

Operational:

Reserves Replacement

Production (BOEPD)(2)

   The primary business objectives for an exploration and production company are to find oil and gas reserves at a competitive cost while generating economic value for its stockholders and assuring that reserves are prudently converted into production and ultimately cash flow. Including specific operational goals on reserves additions (excluding acquisitions and divestitures) and production volumes provides a direct line of sight for the Company’s employees of their impact in the Company’s operational success.
(1) A barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) is a term used to summarize the amount of energy that is equivalent to the amount of energy found in a barrel of crude oil. One barrel of oil is generally deemed to have the same amount of energy content as 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas.
(2) Barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD) is a term that is used in conjunction with the production or distribution of oil and natural gas.

With respect to the NEOs, the following table summarizes the performance metrics, respective weighting of performance metrics and weighted performance scores based on actual performance, used in determining their respective annual incentive awards for 2016. The targets for performance metrics were primarily based on historical data, budgets and forecasts. Under the terms of the 2012 Plan, achievement of 100% of the target rate results in the payment of 100% of individual target awards. For NEOs, achievement of the minimum of the performance range results in the payment of 62.5% of individual target awards and achievement of the maximum results in the payment of 250% of individual target awards, in each case subject to a discretionary downward adjustment by the Committee of up to 100%. Upward adjustments are not permitted for NEOs and no awards are payable if performance falls below the minimum.

 

     2016 AIP Metrics and Results  
Metric    Threshold     Target     Maximum    

Actual

Results

   

Payout

Achieved

(%)

    Weighting     Result  
Total Recordable Incident Rate      0.50       0.38       0.00       0.19       187.50     7.50     14.06%  
Spill Rate      0.26       0.19       0.00       0.09       190.79     7.50     14.31%  
EBITDA/BOE    $ 9.12     $ 9.60     $ 10.56     $ 12.59       250.00     15.00     37.50%  
LOE/BOE    $ 10.05     $ 9.57     $ 8.61     $ 7.87       250.00     15.00     37.50%  
Reserves Replacement      90.00     100.00     140.00     68.00     0     25.00     0.00%  
Production (BOEPD)      165,034       183,371       220,045       181,312       117.98     30.00     35.39%  
Total                                                      138.76%  

 

 
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Negative discretion in the amount of 16% to 20% was applied to each NEOs’ earned award, resulting in the actual payouts set forth below:

 

Named Executive Officer   

2016 Base

Salary

Earnings

    

Target Bonus as

a Percentage of

Base Salary

Earnings*

   

Earned

Award (at

% of

Target)

    

Negative

Discretion

Applied

   

Actual

Amount

Awarded

 
Roger W. Jenkins    $ 1,300,013        135   $ 2,435,262        19.93   $ 1,950,000  
John W. Eckart    $ 515,011        85   $ 607,434        19.99   $ 486,000  
Eugene T. Coleman    $ 562,011        75   $ 584,885        15.88   $ 492,000  
Walter K. Compton    $ 541,006        65   $ 487,955        19.87   $ 391,000  
Michael K. McFadyen*    $ 422,289        75   $ 439,476        15.93   $ 369,451  
* Mr. McFadyen is paid in Canadian dollars. His base salary earnings for 2016 were C$566,938. His earned award was C$590,012. Negative discretion in the amount of 15.93% was applied. The actual amount awarded to Mr. McFadyen was C$496,000.

 

C. Long-term Incentive Compensation

The objectives of the Company’s long-term incentive program include:

 

1) to align executives’ interests with the interests of stockholders;

 

2) to reinforce the critical objective of building stockholder value over the long term;

 

3) to assist in the long-term attraction, motivation, and retention of an outstanding management team;

 

4) to complement the short-term performance metrics of the 2012 Plan and the 2017 Plan; and

 

5) to focus management attention upon the execution of the long-term business strategy of the Company.

Long-term incentive NEO compensation for 2016 included the grant of fixed-price stock options, time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2012 LTI Plan. Stock options are designed to align the interests of executives with the performance of the Company over the long term. The exercise or grant price of fixed-priced stock options equals the average of the high and the low of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Fixed-price stock options are inherently performance-based because option holders realize no economic benefit

unless the Company’s stock price increases in value subsequent to the grant date. This aligns the optionees’ interests with that of stockholders. The vesting of performance-based restricted stock units is based upon the Company’s TSR relative to that of the TSR peer group (as described above).

On February 2, 2016, the Committee granted equity awards pursuant to the 2012 LTI Plan to each of the NEOs at that time. The value was split 50% in performance-based restricted stock units, 25% in stock options and 25% in time-based restricted stock units on an expected value basis. The Committee believes these awards are effective and appropriate methods of equity compensation. Stock options are particularly effective at aligning the interests of management and stockholders, but results can be skewed by movements in the stock market as a whole. Conversely, performance unit awards’ value is largely based on the Company’s performance relative to that of its peers, but does not necessarily equate with shareholder return.

On April 6, 2016, the Committee granted time-based restricted stock units to Mr. Coleman and Mr. McFadyen as a retention tool pursuant to the 2012 LTI Plan which will vest on April 6, 2021, and pay out as soon as practicable thereafter. They will be forfeited if the individual resigns or is terminated for cause prior to this date.

 

 

 
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The Company generally targets the median of competitive market pay levels for the annual grant value of long-term incentive compensation. When determining the size of the equity-based awards to the executives and the total number of shares available for equity-based award grants for all management employees for the fiscal year, the Committee considers survey data provided by the Committee’s compensation consultant, overall Company performance, internal equity, and individual performance, as well as the proportion of the total shares outstanding used for annual equity-based award grants and the potential dilution to the Company’s stockholders. In 2016, due to the continued low commodity prices, the Company made long-term incentive grants to the NEOs at the same number of equity-based

awards grants as made in 2015, equating to approximately 36% of the value of each individual’s long-term incentive target guideline. To maintain parity with the other operational EVP, Mr. McFadyen’s 2016 long-term incentive grants equaled approximately 47% of his 2015 equity-based grants due to the exchange rate disparity between the U.S. and Canadian dollar. These guidelines, provided by the Committee’s independent consultant from the Mercer Human Resource Consulting Energy 27 Survey, were constructed around the 50th percentile (median) competitive data. Total grants to all 2012 LTI Plan participants made in 2016 equaled 0.95% of the Company’s outstanding shares. NEO grants were as follows:

 

 

Named Executive Officer   

Number of

Stock Options

    

Number of

Time-Based

Restricted

Stock Units

    

Number of

Performance-

Based Restricted

Stock Units

 
Roger W. Jenkins      220,000        51,000        101,000  
John W. Eckart      41,000        9,000        19,000  
Eugene T. Coleman      57,000        38,000        26,000  
Walter K. Compton      43,000        10,000        20,000  
Michael K. McFadyen      57,000        38,000        26,000  

 

The Company has never engaged in the process of backdating stock options and does not intend to do so in the future. The exercise price for all stock options is equal to the fair market value (average of daily high and low) on the date of the grant.

The Company’s stock option awards granted from 2006 onward provide for payment of the aggregate exercise price to be automatically net settled in stock, which reduces dilution. Thus upon exercise, shares having an aggregate fair market value equal to both the exercise price and the amount of statutory minimum withholding taxes are withheld by the Company, and only net shares are delivered to the holder of the option. The Company’s stock options, all of which are non-qualified, vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, and unless otherwise forfeited or exercised, expire seven years from the date of the grant.

Time-based restricted stock units awarded in February 2016 vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Dividend equivalents are accumulated during the performance period and pay out only if the underlying units vest and are earned. Holders of time-based restricted stock units do not have any voting rights.

Performance-based restricted stock units awarded in 2016 will be eligible to vest in three years based on how the Company’s TSR compares to the TSR of an index of the comparator group of energy companies (identified above).

The 2016 performance unit awards contain four equally weighted measurement periods: year 1; year 2; year 3; and years 1-3 combined. Achievement of the 50th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group is required for vesting and payment of 100% of the target performance-based restricted stock units awarded, achievement of the 90th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group is required for vesting and payment of 150% of the target performance-based restricted stock units awarded, and achievement of the 25th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group is required for the vesting and payment of 50% of the target performance-based restricted stock units awarded. A prorated percentage of performance-based restricted stock units can vest and be paid for performance between the 25th and 90th TSR percentiles. No payment is made for achievement below the 25th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group. Dividend equivalents are accumulated during the performance period and pay out only to the extent that the underlying units vest and are earned. Holders of performance-based restricted stock units do not have any voting rights.

Fixed-price stock options and performance-based restricted stock units granted under the 2012 LTI Plan are intended to qualify as tax-deductible “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. Time-based restricted stock units, which are time-based awards, do not quality as performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m). As noted above, the Committee currently uses three principal forms of long-term incentive compensation: fixed-price stock options, time-based restricted

 

 

 
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

stock units and performance-based restricted stock units. While the Committee expects to continue to use these same three principal forms of equity-based incentives going forward, it is possible that the Committee may adopt a different long-term incentive compensation strategy in future years in response to changes in the competitive marketplace, regulatory actions, and/or changes to business strategy. In order to provide for flexibility going forward, the 2012 LTI Plan provides possible alternative long-term equity incentive vehicles in addition to stock options and restricted stock units, including stock appreciation rights, performance shares, phantom units, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based incentives. The 2012 LTI Plan includes a list of other performance criteria that could be used for determination of performance-based awards.

During 2016, the Company granted 811,500 shares as Full Value Awards. As of December 31, 2016, the number of shares available for future grants of Full Value Awards under the 2012 LTI Plan was 2,209,556.

D. Employee Benefits and Perquisites

The objectives of the Company’s employee benefits and perquisites program are:

 

1) to provide an employee benefit package with the same level of benefits provided to all Company employees which is competitive within the Company’s industry sector;

 

2) to offer executives indirect compensation which is efficient and supplemental to their direct compensation to assist with retirement, health, and welfare needs for individuals and their families; and

 

3) to provide only limited benefits to selected executives as deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

The Company’s executives are provided usual and customary employee benefits available to all employees. These include thrift savings (401(k)), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, medical/dental insurance, vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, and a Company-sponsored pension plan. Effective with the spin-off of

Murphy’s former U.S. retail marketing operation, Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA) on August 30, 2013, significant modifications were made to the U.S. defined benefit pension plan. Certain Company employees’ benefits under the U.S. plan were frozen at that time. No further benefit service will accrue for the affected employees; however, the plan will recognize future earnings after the spin-off. In addition, all previously unvested benefits became fully vested at the spin-off date. For those affected active employees of the Company, additional U.S. retirement plan benefits will accrue in future periods under a cash balance formula. The NEOs are excluded from the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) because they are eligible for long-term stock incentives and the ESPP was established as a vehicle for employees to acquire stock.

Tax regulations adversely affect certain highly compensated employees by restricting their full participation in qualified pension and defined contribution (thrift) plans. In an effort to provide the same level of retirement benefit opportunity for all employees, the Company maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). The purpose of the SERP is to restore pension plan and thrift plan benefits which are not payable under such plans because of certain specified benefit and compensation limitations under tax regulations. The benefit to the Company of this arrangement is the retention and long-term service of employees who are otherwise unprotected by employment contracts. The SERP is unfunded and is subject to general credit of the Company. Other than the SERP, the Company does not offer a deferred compensation alternative to the NEOs. The Committee also provides to Mr. Jenkins a maximum of 50 flight hours each year in the continental United States on Company aircraft as part of his total compensation package. Mr. Jenkins utilized 48.2 hours out of the 50 approved hours with an aggregate incremental cost to the Company of $154,745, as reported in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table. The Standard Industry Fare Level rate was used to determine the income reportable to Mr. Jenkins for these trips, and the Company has not provided any tax gross-up or other tax assistance with respect to the income recognized for use of the Company aircraft.

 

 

 
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ACTIONS RELATED TO 2017 COMPENSATION

At its meeting on January 31, 2017, the Committee met to discuss executive compensation issues reflecting the Company’s 2016 performance results and executive pay matters for fiscal year 2017. The Committee reviewed and analyzed the Murphy executive compensation program as well as considered the past year’s performance and proper positioning of compensation opportunities for fiscal year 2017. Key decisions and actions related to 2017 executive compensation reached by the Committee include:

Modest Adjustments to Base Salaries

For fiscal year 2017, the Committee approved minimal adjustments to base salary for four of the five NEOs effective as of February 1, 2017. Messrs. Coleman and McFayden each received 2.5% base salary increases for 2017; Mr. Compton received a 3.0% increase for 2017; and Mr. Eckart received a 10.0% increase for 2017. Mr. Eckart’s salary increase included a market-based adjustment to bring his salary rate closer to the 50th percentile market benchmark for the CFO position. The base salary for Mr. Jenkins was not increased.

Exercise Negative Discretion with Respect to 2016 Annual Incentives

The Committee exercised its negative discretion in adjusting annual cash payments under the AIP for NEOs for 2016 bonuses, which were payable in the first quarter of 2017. These downward adjustments included an across-the-board cut by 16% to 20% for all earned awards to the NEOs bringing NEO payouts to a level commensurate with those of other plan participants, even though the Company met or exceeded four of the six 2016 operational, safety, and strategic performance goals. In aggregate, the Company paid total bonus awards for 2016 performance for all employees, including the NEOs and other AIP participants, equal to approximately $27,700,000.

Granted 2017 Long-Term Incentives at 50th Percentile Target Levels

The Committee deliberated regarding the subject of long-term incentive compensation to be granted to the Company NEOs in 2017. Based upon an analysis of competitive market data, the recent grant practices of Murphy’s peer companies in the most recent market environment, and the performance of the Company’s top management during 2016, the Committee awarded long-term incentive grants equal to approximately 84% of the target award opportunities for each NEO based upon the 50th percentile (median) competitive market practice and the reduction of the number of stock options calculated to remain compliant under the 2012 Plan. Long-term incentive grants for each NEO were awarded 50% in the value of performance-based restricted stock units, 25% in the value of 7-year fixed-price stock options, and 25% in the value of time-lapse restricted stock units. It is the judgment of the Committee that these long-term grants are fully competitive with current market competitive practices while serving as the proper alignment of management’s long-term interests with Murphy shareholder interests.

Target versus Realizable Compensation Chart—CEO Compensation

The “Target” bars represent Mr. Jenkins’ base salary, target AIP opportunity and the grant-date fair value of his LTIP awards for 2014, 2015 and 2016. The “Realizable” bars represent each year’s base salary paid, AIP earned and paid, and the value of those LTIP awards as of December 31, 2016.

 

 

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis (continued)

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Executive Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on the review and discussions, the Executive Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Neal E. Schmale (Chair)

T. Jay Collins

Walentin Mirosh

Jeffrey W. Nolan

 

 

 
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Executive Compensation

 

 

 

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Tabular Information for Named Executive Officers

Further information with respect to the individuals who served as the Company’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers serving at the end of the last completed fiscal year is set forth in the following tables:

2016 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position   Year    

Salary

($)

   

Bonus

($)

   

Stock

Awards

($)(1)

   

Option

Awards

($)(2)

   

Non-Equity

Incentive

Plan

Compensation

($)(3)

   

Change in

Pension

Value and

Nonqualified
Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

($)

   

All Other

Compensation

($)(4)

   

Total

($)

 

Roger W. Jenkins

    2016       1,300,013             2,410,310       1,106,600       1,950,000       1,501,179       233,645       8,501,747  

President and Chief
Executive Officer

    2015       1,300,000             7,192,723       2,413,400       1,237,714       1,742,060       197,720       14,083,617  
    2014       1,295,833             5,284,440       1,540,800       2,200,000       2,204,998       252,497       12,778,568  

John W. Eckart(5)

    2016       515,011             442,990       206,230       486,000       547,018       31,800       2,229,049  

Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer

    2015       506,333             1,323,437       449,770       289,922       52,062       31,280       2,652,804  
                 
                 

Eugene T. Coleman(6)

    2016       562,011             1,220,090       286,710       492,000       381,326       34,620       2,976,757  

Executive Vice
President

                 
                 

Walter K. Compton

    2016       541,006             475,550       216,290       391,000       508,648       33,360       2,165,854  

Executive Vice
President and

General

Counsel

    2015       541,000             1,419,360       471,710       248,001       (25,556     33,360       2,687,875  
   

 

2014

 

 

 

    538,108             1,027,530       295,320       405,199       1,401,045       33,421       3,700,623  

Michael K. McFadyen(6)(7)

    2016       422,289       100,000       1,220,090       286,710       369,451       318,445       26,354       2,743,339  

Executive Vice
President

                 
                 
(1) The restricted stock unit awards are shown at grant date fair value as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates, as more fully described in Note J to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Form 10-K report. Performance-based restricted stock unit awards are subject to performance-based conditions and are forfeited if the grantee’s employment terminates for any reason other than retirement, death or full disability. The performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest three years from the date of grant if performance conditions are met. Time-based restricted stock unit awards vest three years from the date of grant and are forfeited if the grantee’s employment terminates for any reason other than retirement, death or full disability. There is no assurance that the value realized by the executive will be at or near the value included herein.
(2) The stock option awards are shown at grant date fair value as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates, as more fully described in Note J to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Form 10-K report. Options granted generally vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date. The options are exercisable for a period of seven years from the date of grant. The actual value, if any, an executive may realize will depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised. There is no assurance that the value realized by the executive will be at or near the value included herein.
(3) Non-Equity Incentives were awarded and paid after the end of the year in which they are reported. Because these payments related to services rendered in the year prior to payment, the Company reported these incentives as a component of compensation expense in the year for which the award was earned.
(4) The total amounts shown in this column for 2016 consist of the following:
     Mr. Jenkins $78,000—Company contributions to defined contribution plans; $900—benefit attributable to Company-provided term life insurance policy;
     $154,745—Company airplane usage based on aggregate incremental cost to the Company. The aggregate incremental cost to the Company for airplane usage is calculated by multiplying, for each trip, the statutory miles for each trip times the 12-month average direct cost per statutory mile for the airplane used. The direct costs utilized in the calculation include: travel expenses for the aviation crew, communications expenses, landing fees, fuel and lubrication, contract maintenance and repairs, and the provision allocated for the overhaul of the engines.
     Mr. Eckart: $30,900—Company contributions to defined contribution plans; $900—Benefit attributable to Company-provided term life insurance policy.
     Mr. Coleman: $33,720—Company contributions to defined contribution plans; $900—Benefit attributable to Company-provided term life insurance policy.
     Mr. Compton: $32,460—Company contributions to defined contribution plans; $900—Benefit attributable to Company-provided term life insurance policy.
     Mr. McFadyen: $25,337—Company contributions to defined contribution plans; $1,017—Benefit attributable to Company-provided term life insurance policy (Mr. McFadyen’s benefits are a Canadian Dollar benefit converted to US Dollar).
(5) Mr. Eckart was not a Named Executive officer in 2014.
(6) Mr. Coleman and Mr. McFadyen were not Named Executive Officers in 2014 and 2015.
(7) The currency conversation factor for the Canadian dollar utilized in this table for Mr. McFadyen’s salary, non-equity incentive plan compensation is 0.74486 Canadian dollars to one U.S. dollar.

 

 
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Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

2016 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 

Name        

Estimated Future Payouts Under

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

         

Estimated Future Payouts Under

Equity Incentive Plan Awards

   

All Other

Stock

Awards:

Number of

Shares of

Stock or

Units

(#)

   

All Other

Stock

Awards:

Number of

Shares of

Stock or

Units

(#)

   

Exercise or

Base Price

of Option

Awards

($/Sh)(1)

   

Closing

Price on

Grant Date

($/Sh)

   

Grant Date

Fair Value

of Stock

and Option

Awards

($)(2)

 
  Grant Date    

Threshold

($)

   

Target

($)

   

Maximum

($)

         

Threshold

(#)

   

Target

(#)

   

Maximum

(#)

           
Roger W.       1,096,886       1,755,017       4,000,000                                                    
Jenkins     2/2/2016                           50,500       101,000       151,500                               1,514,495  
    2/2/2016                                             51,000                         895,815  
      2/2/2016                                                         220,000       17.565       17.430       1,106,600  
John W.       273,599       437,759       1,094,398                                                    
Eckart     2/2/2016                           9,500       19,000       28,500                               284,905  
    2/2/2016                                             9,000                         158,085  
      2/2/2016                                                         41,000       17.565       17.430       206,230  
Eugene T.       263,443       421,508       1,053,770                                                    
Coleman     2/2/2016                           13,000       26,000       39,000                               389,870  
    2/2/2016                                             13,000                         228,345  
    2/2/2016                                                   57,000       17.565       17.430       286,710  
      4/6/2016                                                   25,000                         601,875  
Walter K.       219,784       351,654       879,135                                                    
Compton     2/2/2016                           10,000       20,000       30,000                               299,900  
    2/2/2016                                             10,000                         175,650  
      2/2/2016                                                         43,000       17.565       17.430       216,290  
Michael K.       201,972       323,155       807,888                                                    
McFadyen     2/2/2016                           13,000       26,000       39,000                               389,870  
    2/2/2016                                             13,000                         228,345  
    2/2/2016                                                   57,000       17.565       17.430       286,710  
      4/6/2016                                                   25,000                         601,875  
(1) The exercise price of options is determined using the average of the high and low of the stock price on the date of grant.
(2) The grant date fair value of the Company’s performance-based restricted stock units is determined using a Monte-Carlo valuation model, as further described in Note J to the consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-K report.

 

 
36        Murphy Oil Corporation


Table of Contents

Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE

 

     Option Awards  
Name    Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Exercisable Options
(#)(1)
    

Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercisable Options

(#)(1)

     Option
Exercise Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 
Roger W. Jenkins      71,955           58.8392        2/1/2018  
     71,955           51.6305        1/31/2019  
     55,350           39.0244        6/20/2019  
     129,519           54.2141        2/5/2020  
     96,785           62.9765        8/7/2020  
     60,000        60,000        55.8200        2/4/2021  
        220,000        49.6500        2/3/2022  
                220,000        17.5650        2/2/2023  
John W. Eckart      27,675           45.4788        2/2/2017  
     30,443           58.8392        2/1/2018  
     38,745           51.6305        1/31/2019  
     43,394           54.2141        2/5/2020  
     7,500        7,500        55.8200        2/4/2021  
        41,000        49.6500        2/3/2022  
        41,000        17.5650        2/2/2023  
Eugene T. Coleman      38,745                 58.8392        2/1/2018  
     44,280           51.6305        1/31/2019  
     62,546           54.2141        2/5/2020  
     12,500        12,500        55.8200        2/4/2021  
        57,000        49.6500        2/3/2022  
        57,000        17.5650        2/2/2023  
Walter K. Compton      22,140                 45.4788        2/2/2017  
     27,675           58.8392        2/1/2018  
     33,210           51.6305        1/31/2019  
     47,048           54.2141        2/5/2020  
     11,500        11,500        55.8200        2/4/2021  
        43,000        49.6500        2/3/2022  
        43,000        17.5650        2/2/2023  
Michael K. McFadyen      11,070                 45.4788        2/2/2017  
     27,675           58.8392        2/1/2018  
     44,280           51.6305        1/31/2019  
     62,546           54.2141        2/5/2020  
     11,500        11,500        55.8200        2/4/2021  
        50,000        49.6500        2/3/2022  
                57,000        17.5650        2/2/2023  

 

 
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LOGO

 

  

Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE (CONTINUED)

 

     Stock Awards  
 Name   

Number of Shares

or Units of
Stocks That Have

Not  Vested
(#)(2)

    

Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stocks

That Have

Not Vested
($)(3)(4)(5)

     Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(2)
    

Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value of Unearned

Shares Units or
Other Rights That
Have Not Vested
($)(3)(4)(5)

 
Roger W. Jenkins      126,022        3,923,067        272,890        8,495,077  
John W. Eckart      23,076        718,368        50,632        1,576,184  
Eugene T. Coleman      36,500        1,136,231        93,872        2,922,243  
Walter K. Compton      24,851        773,596        53,920        1,678,520  
Michael K. McFadyen      34,670        1,079,266        90,928        2,830,593  
(1) Stock options are 50% vested after two years and 100% after three years.
(2) Includes accrued in-kind dividend equivalents on performance-based restricted stock units.
(3) Performance-based restricted stock units vest if the Company achieves specific performance objectives at the end of the three-year performance period.
(4) Generally, time-based restricted stock units vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant.
(5) Value was determined based on a December 31, 2016 closing stock price of $31.13 per share.

2016 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  
 Name    Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
     Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(1)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
     Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(2)
 
Roger W. Jenkins                    52,989        1,649,548  
John W. Eckart                    8,146        253,585  
Eugene T. Coleman                    14,586        454,062  
Walter K. Compton                    13,175        410,138  
Michael K. McFadyen                    10,473        326,024  
(1) The value shown reflects the difference between the market price on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the option.
(2) Value based on 2014 performance-based and time-based restricted stock unit award vesting date as of December 31, 2016, at $31.13 per share. Payment of the performance-based net shares was settled on January 31, 2017, pursuant to the terms of the award. The price on award date was $28.505 per share (average high and low price). Payment of the time-based net shares was settled on February 3, 2017, pursuant to the terms of the award. The price on award date was $29.485 per share (average high and low price). Combined values as of the dates of receipt were as follows: Mr. Jenkins—$1,530,618, Mr. Eckart—$235,082, Mr. Coleman—$420,670, Mr. Compton—$380,526 and Mr. McFadyen—$302,518.

 

 
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Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

2016 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE

 

 Name    Plan Name    Number of Years
Credited Service
(#)
    

Present Value
of Accumulated
Benefit

($)

     Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 
Roger W. Jenkins    Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Corporation      15.210        605,117         
     Murphy Oil Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan      15.210        7,199,420         
John W. Eckart    Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Corporation      26.250        1,187,302         
     Murphy Oil Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan      26.250        2,971,596         
Eugene T. Coleman    Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Corporation      15.167        681,192         
     Murphy Oil Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan      15.167        2,253,226         
Walter K. Compton    Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Corporation      29.000        1,152,406         
     Murphy Oil Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan      29.000        3,475,654         
Michael K. McFadyen    Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Company Ltd.      8.200        182,491         
   Murphy Oil Company Ltd. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan      8.200        1,789,154         
   Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Corporation      5.950        158,228         
     Murphy Oil Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan      5.950        53,232         

 

The purpose of the Retirement Plan of Murphy Oil Corporation, a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan, is to provide retirement and incidental benefits for all employees who complete a period of faithful service. The purpose of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is to restore defined benefit and defined contribution benefits which cannot be paid because of certain specified benefit and compensation limitations under the tax-qualified retirement plan. The pension formula used to calculate benefits is: 1.6% times final average pay (FAP) times years of benefit service minus 1.5% times primary social security benefit times years of benefit service (to a maximum of 33 1/3 years).

The FAP used in calculating benefits under the plans is the average cash compensation (salary and annual incentive bonus) over the highest paid 36-month period during the

employee’s last ten years of employment. Distribution elections for the qualified plan are made upon retirement. Benefits shown are computed on a single life annuity basis and are subject to a deduction for social security amounts. The pension benefits shown neither reflect any reductions in retirement benefits that would result from the selection of one of the plan’s various available survivorship options nor the actuarial reductions required by the plan for retirement earlier than age 62. For this purpose, Mr. Jenkins’ average compensation was $3,077,853; Mr. Eckart’s $853,462; Mr. Coleman’s $1,043,287; Mr. Compton’s $989,747 and Mr. McFadyen’s $1,055,974 (Under the retirement plan for Murphy Oil Company Ltd., the average final pay of C$1,036,000 was converted to US$771,749 using a currency conversion factor of 0.74486 Canadian dollars to U.S. dollar).

 

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          39  


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Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

 

The estimated credited years of service used are as indicated in the table.

Effective with the spin-off of Murphy’s former U.S. retail marketing operation, Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA), on August 30, 2013, significant modifications were made to the U.S. defined benefit pension plan. All current NEOs continue to accrue benefits in this plan, however, certain Murphy employees’ benefits under the U.S. plan were frozen at that time. No further benefit service will accrue for the affected employees, however, the plan will recognize future earnings after the spin-off. In addition, all previously unvested benefits became fully vested at the spin-off date. For those affected

active employees of the Company, additional U.S. retirement plan benefits will accrue in future periods under a cash balance formula.

The following assumptions were used in determining the present value amounts at December 31, 2016.

 

  Discount Rate—4.31%

 

  Mortality Table—MRP-2007 (The RP-2014 no-collar annuitant table, adjusted to remove post-2007 projection factors, then projected generationally using the MMP-2007 projection scale as developed by Mercer).
 

 

2016 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 Name   

Executive
Contributions
in Last

Fiscal  Year
($)(1)

    

Registrant
Contributions
in Last

Fiscal  Year
($)(2)

     Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
Fiscal  Year
($)(3)
     Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
     Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year-End
($)
 
Roger W. Jenkins      138,000        62,100        141,595               1,224,849  
John W. Eckart      33,530        15,000        46,388               437,141  
Eugene T. Coleman      66,300        17,820        66,757               697,060  
Walter K. Compton      25,280        16,560        53,151               418,367  
Michael K. McFadyen                    382               7,771  
(1) The executive contributions in the last fiscal year have been included in the “Salary” column for the Named Executive Officer in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table.
(2) The registrant contributions in the last fiscal year have been included in “All Other Compensation” column for the Named Executive Officer in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table.
(3) The unfunded SERP provides the same investment options available under the qualified 401(k) savings plan. The “Aggregate Earnings” column reflects the different investment returns based upon the Named Executive Officer’s investment selection.

 

The purpose of the Thrift Plan for Employees of Murphy Oil Corporation, a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan, is to provide retirement and incidental benefits for all employees who participate in the Plan. The purpose of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is to restore defined benefit and defined contribution benefits which cannot be invested because of certain specified benefit and

compensation limitations under the tax-qualified Thrift/401(k) Plan. The employees are immediately vested in all employee and Company matching contributions. The Company matching contributions are limited to dollar for dollar on the first 6%. All employees are allowed to contribute on a pre-tax basis up to 25% of their eligible pay. The table above represents amounts deferred under the SERP for 2016.

 

 

2016 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL TABLE

In connection with his appointment to President and CEO in 2013, Mr. Jenkins has a Severance Protection Agreement which provides for the payment of severance benefits in a lump sum equal to three times the sum of Mr. Jenkins’ base salary and his average annual bonus over the prior three fiscal years. The Agreement also contains customary restrictive covenants applicable during the twelve-month period following termination under the Agreement. The Company has no other employment, change in control or termination agreements with its NEOs. However, upon a change in control, as defined in the 2012 LTI Plan, all outstanding equity awards granted under such plans shall vest, become immediately exercisable or payable or have all restrictions lifted which apply to the type of award. The Company has no other agreement, contract, plan, or arrangement, whether written or unwritten, that provides for potential payments to NEOs upon termination or a change in control. NEOs are specifically excluded from normal severance benefits offered to other employees; however, the Company has, from time-to-time, paid termination benefits to executive-level positions upon an end in service. Decisions by the Company whether to pay termination benefits, and, if so, in what amounts, are determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

 
40        Murphy Oil Corporation


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Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

The following table presents estimated amounts that would have been payable to the applicable Named Executive Officer if the described event had occurred on December 30, 2016, the last trading day of the fiscal year:

 

Name    Category    Normal Termination
($)
     Change of Control
($)
 
Roger W. Jenkins    Severance             9,950,000  
   Non-equity compensation(1)      1,950,000        1,950,000  
   Unvested & Accelerated(2)      
  

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

     2,423,659        9,242,884  
  

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units

     1,499,408        3,175,260  
  

Stock Options

            2,984,300  
   Retirement Plan(3)      740,225        740,225  
                    
    

Total

     6,613,292        28,042,669  
John W. Eckart    Non-equity compensation(1)      486,000        486,000  
   Unvested & Accelerated(2)      
  

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

     453,763        1,734,212  
  

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units

     264,605        560,340  
  

Stock Options

            556,165  
   Retirement Plan(3)      346,626        346,626  
                    
    

Total

     1,550,994        3,683,343  
Eugene T. Coleman    Non-equity compensation(1)      492,000        492,000  
   Unvested & Accelerated(2)      
  

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

     637,310        2,470,844  
  

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units

     498,921        1,587,630  
  

Stock Options

            773,205  
   Retirement Plan(3)      246,626        246,626  
                    
    

Total

     1,874,857        5,570,305  
Walter K. Compton    Non-equity compensation(1)      391,000        391,000  
   Unvested & Accelerated(2)      
  

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

     479,573        1,829,516  
  

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units

     294,023        622,600  
  

Stock Options

            583,295  
   Retirement Plan(3)              
                    
    

Total

     1,164,596        3,426,411  
Michael K. McFadyen    Non-equity compensation(1)      369,453        369,453  
   Unvested & Accelerated(2)      
  

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

     600,206        2,353,359  
  

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units

     479,060        1,556,500  
  

Stock Options

            773,205  
   Retirement Plan(3)              
                    
    

Total

     1,448,719        5,052,517  
(1) Non-equity compensation is calculated under the terms of the 2012 Plan.
(2) In the event of a change of control, all unvested outstanding equity awards shall vest, become immediately exercisable or payable or have all restrictions lifted as may apply to the type of the award. This amount includes the incremental value of the current unvested outstanding awards. In the event of a termination, the exercise period for stock options is reduced to the lesser of the expiration date of the award or two years from date of termination.
(3) Named Executive Officers may receive benefits under the Company’s defined benefit pension plan upon retirement, depending on date of hire, age and years of service at termination. The Pension Benefits Table reports the present value of each Named Executive Officer’s accumulated benefit at December 31, 2016 unadjusted for retirement earlier than age 62, and such benefits are not accelerated or otherwise enhanced in connection with any termination scenario. Messrs. Jenkins, Eckart and Coleman would have been eligible to receive retirement benefits following a termination of employment by reason of retirement on December 31, 2016. Monthly pension benefits are payable in one of the following options: 50% Joint and Survivor; 75% Joint and Survivor; 100% Joint and Survivor; and 10 Years Certain. For purposes of this table, the annual payment of the monthly pension benefits is shown.

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          41  


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LOGO

 

  

Executive Compensation (continued)

 

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016:

 

 Plan Category    Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights
     Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and
rights(1)
     Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
the first column)(2)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders      5,757,435      $ 48.46        3,821,789  
(1) Amounts in this column do not take into account outstanding restricted stock units.
(2) Number of shares available for issuance includes 3,240,732 available shares under the 2012 LTI Plan, plus 318,204 available shares under the 2013 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors and 262,853 available shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Assumes each restricted stock unit is equivalent to one share.

 

 
42        Murphy Oil Corporation


Table of Contents

Audit Committee Report

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

In connection with the Company’s December 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the specific disclosures contained in the Company’s Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, discussed with KPMG LLP the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 and independence standards, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with KPMG LLP’s independence. The Audit Committee also reviewed written independence disclosures from KPMG LLP as required under applicable standards regarding such independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed the independence with the accountant. The Committee met six times during 2016. Fees for services provided by the Company’s principal independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     2016      2015  
Audit fees    $ 3,993,728      $ 3,857,486  
Audit-related fees(1)      169,000        49,583  

Audit and audit-related fees

     4,162,728        3,907,069  
Tax fees(2)      95,065        291,720  
All other fees              

Total fees

   $ 4,257,793      $ 4,198,789  
(1) Audit-related fees consisted principally of fees for reviews of registration statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, audits of financial statements for foreign employee benefit plans, and assurance reports required by U.K. government agencies.
(2) Tax fees consisted of services for income tax consultation and tax compliance services.

Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

R. Madison Murphy (Chairman)

Lawrence R. Dickerson

Neal E. Schmale

Laura A. Sugg

 

 
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LOGO

 

  

Proposal 5—Approval of Appointment of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Board desires that the stockholders indicate their approval or disapproval of the Audit Committee’s action in appointing KPMG LLP the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2017. KPMG LLP has been serving the Company and its subsidiaries in this role for many years. KPMG LLP has advised the Company that its members have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Members of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the purpose of responding to inquiries by stockholders, and such representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. The Audit Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of KPMG to serve as our independent auditors is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the audit fee negotiations with KPMG LLP and pre-approves any engagement of KPMG LLP. Under Murphy’s policy for pre-approval of audit and permitted non-audit services by

KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee has delegated the right to pre-approve services between meeting dates to one or more members of the Audit Committee, provided that decisions of such members to grant pre-approvals is presented at the next scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee. (The Audit Committee evaluates all services, including those engagements related to tax and internal control over financial reporting, considering the nature of such services in light of auditor independence, in accordance with the rules of the PCAOB.) In the fiscal year 2016, the percentage of services designated for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees that were approved by the Audit Committee were 94%, 4%, 2%, and 0%, respectively.

In the event that a majority of the stockholders indicates disapproval of the appointment of KPMG LLP, the adverse vote will constitute a directive to the Audit Committee to select another registered public accounting firm(s) for fiscal year 2017. Because of the difficulty and expense of making any substitution of registered public accounting firms during a year, it is contemplated that the appointment for the fiscal year 2017 will be permitted to stand unless the Audit Committee finds other good reason for making a change.

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” approval of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2017.

 

 
44        Murphy Oil Corporation


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General Information About the Annual Meeting

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Act of 1934, stockholder proposals for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company at its principal executive office on or before November 24, 2017, for inclusion in the proxy materials.

A stockholder may wish to have a proposal presented at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2018, but not for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. This type of proposal is subject to the advance notice provisions of the Company’s by-laws. In the case of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, notice must be received by the Company at its principal executive office no earlier than January 10, 2018, and no later than February 9, 2018.

PROXY ACCESS STOCKHOLDER DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

The Company’s by-laws include a proxy access provision. Under the by-laws, stockholders who meet the requirements set forth in the by-laws may submit director nominations for inclusion in the proxy materials. Proxy access nominations for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company at its principal executive office no earlier than October 25, 2017 and no later than November 24, 2017, and must meet all the requirements set forth in the by-laws.

ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR 2017 ANNUAL MEETING

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 10, 2017. This Proxy Statement and Murphy Oil Corporation’s Annual Report to Stockholders and Form 10-K for fiscal year 2016 are available electronically at http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61237&p=proxy.

OTHER INFORMATION

The management of the Company knows of no business other than that described above that will be presented for

consideration at the meeting. If any other business properly comes before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxies to vote such proxies thereon in accordance with their judgment.

The expense of this solicitation, including cost of preparing and distributing this Proxy Statement, will be paid by the Company. Such expenses may also include the charges and expenses of banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for forwarding proxies and proxy material to beneficial owners of shares.

In certain instances, one copy of the Company’s Annual Report or Proxy Statement is being delivered to two or more stockholders who share an address. Upon request, the Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Annual Report or Proxy Statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. Conversely, stockholders sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of Annual Reports or Proxy Statements may request delivery of a single copy.

Requests in this regard should be addressed to:

E. Ted Botner

Vice President, Law and Corporate Secretary

Murphy Oil Corporation

P.O. Box 7000

El Dorado, Arkansas 71731-7000

(870) 862-6411

The above Notice and Proxy Statement are sent by order of the Board of Directors.

E. Ted Botner

Vice President, Law and Corporate Secretary

El Dorado, Arkansas

March 24, 2017

 

 

VOTE in one of the following ways:

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Murphy Oil Corporation          45  


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LOGO

300 PEACH STREET

P.O. BOX 7000

EL DORADO, AR 71731-7000

     LOGO

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 9, 2017. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on May 9, 2017. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

 

 

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

  E21245-P88863-Z69586             KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

 

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

  MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

    The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the
following:
    1.     Election of Directors                
        Nominees:       For   Against     Abstain
   

1a.    

  T.J. Collins        
   

1b.   

  S.A. Cossé        
   

1c.    

  C.P. Deming        
   

1d.   

  L.R. Dickerson        
   

1e.    

  R.W. Jenkins        
   

1f.    

  E.W. Keller        
   

1g.   

  J.V. Kelley        
   

1h.   

  W. Mirosh        
   

1i.    

  R.M. Murphy        
   

1j.    

  J.W. Nolan        
   

1k.   

  N.E. Schmale        
   

1l.    

  L. A. Sugg        
                                
                               
                               
              
              
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 4, and 5, and 1 Year on proposal 3.           
        For   Against   Abstain
2.     Advisory vote on executive compensation.      
    1 Year   2 Year   3 Years   Abstain
3.   Advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation.        
      For   Against   Abstain
4.   Approve the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics.      
5.   Approve the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.      
NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.      
 
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.   

 

       
                   
  Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]   Date        

Signature (Joint Owners)

  Date      

 


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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice, Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

 

E21246-P88863-Z69586

 

    

 

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR ANNUAL MEETING MAY 10, 2017

 

The stockholder(s) whose name(s) appear(s) on the reverse side hereby appoint(s) Claiborne P. Deming and Roger W. Jenkins, or each of them, as the stockholder’s proxy or proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock of Murphy Oil Corporation which the stockholder is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East 5th Street, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730, on May 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, and any adjournments thereof, as fully as the stockholder could if personally present.

 

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE ON THE REVERSE SIDE, BUT IF NONE ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND FOR PROPOSAL 2, FOR PROPOSAL 4, FOR PROPOSAL 5 AND THE ONE YEAR OPTION FOR PROPOSAL 3. AS FAR AS THE COMPANY KNOWS, THESE ARE THE ONLY MATTERS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING. AS TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES MAY VOTE THESE SHARES IN THEIR DISCRETION.

 

Murphy Oil Corporation encourages you to take advantage of one of the convenient ways to vote the shares for proposals to be covered at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Please take this opportunity to use one of the four voting methods detailed on the reverse side of this card to vote these shares.

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side