8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 9, 2008

OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-9210	95-4035997
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10889 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, California	90024
(Address of principal executive offices)	(ZIP code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(310) 208-8800

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02(b) and (c). Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

Occidental Petroleum Corporation announced the election of Roy Pineci, 45, to the position of Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer effective November 14, 2008. Mr. Pineci replaces Jim Leonard, 58, who elected to retire from these positions effective November 14, 2008. Mr. Pineci joined Occidental in June 2005 as Vice President - Internal Audit and also served as Senior Vice President, Finance for Oil and Gas. Prior to working with Occidental, Mr. Pineci had over 20 years of public accounting industry experience, most recently as a partner at KPMG LLP.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)  Exhibits

99.1 Press release dated October 14, 2008.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	OCCIDENTAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
DATE:  October 14, 2008	/s/ DONALD P. DE BRIER
	Donald P. de Brier, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

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EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press release dated October 14, 2008.

EX-99

EXHIBIT 99.1

For Immediate Release: October 14, 2008

Occidental Elects Roy Pineci Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer

LOS ANGELES, October 14, 2008 -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced today that the Board of Directors has elected Roy Pineci as Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, effective November 14, 2008. Mr. Pineci replaces Jim A. Leonard who will be retiring.

Mr. Pineci, 45, joined Occidental as Vice President - Internal Audit. He was named Senior Vice President, Finance for Oil and Gas in October 2007. Prior to joining Occidental, Mr. Pineci was a partner at the public accounting firm of KPMG LLP.

About Oxy

Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America regions. Oxy is the fourth largest U.S. oil and gas company, based on equity market capitalization. Oxy's wholly owned subsidiary, OxyChem, manufactures and markets chlor-alkali products and vinyls. Occidental is committed to safeguarding the environment, protecting the safety and health of employees and neighboring communities and upholding high standards of social responsibility in all of the company's worldwide operations.

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Contacts:	Richard S. Kline (media)
	richard_kline@oxy.com
	310-443-6249
	Chris Stavros (investors)
	chris_stavros@oxy.com
	212-603-8184
	On the web: www.oxy.com