Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration File No. 333-133889

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated May 8, 2006)

 

8,000,000 Shares

 

 

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

 

Common Stock

 

 

We are offering 8,000,000 shares of our common stock. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WLL.” On January 29, 2009, the last sale price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $29.14 per share.

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-16 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 1,200,000 shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to cover overallotments.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The shares will be ready for delivery on or about February 4, 2009.

 

 

Book-Running Manager

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is January 29, 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

 

Prospectus

 

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. You should read the entire prospectus supplement, as well as the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference that are described under “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In the event that the description of this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date on their respective front covers. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

In this prospectus supplement, “we,” “us,” “our” or “ours” refer to Whiting Petroleum Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

We have included below the definitions for certain oil and gas terms used in this prospectus supplement:

 

“3-D seismic” Geophysical data that depict the subsurface strata in three dimensions. 3-D seismic typically provides a more detailed and accurate interpretation of the subsurface strata than 2-D, or two-dimensional, seismic.

 

“Bbl” One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in this prospectus supplement in reference to oil and other liquid hydrocarbons.

 

“Bcf” One billion cubic feet of natural gas.

 

“BOE” One stock tank barrel equivalent of oil, calculated by converting natural gas volumes to equivalent oil barrels at a ratio of six Mcf to one Bbl of oil.

 

“BOE/d” One BOE per day.

 

“CO₂ flood” A tertiary recovery method in which CO₂ is injected into a reservoir to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.

 

“completion” The installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or natural gas, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

 

“GAAP” Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

“MBOE” One thousand BOE.

 

“MBOE/d” One MBOE per day.

 

“Mcf” One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

 

“MMBbl” One million Bbl.

 

“MMBOE” One million BOE.

 

“MMBtu” One million British Thermal Units.

 

“MMcf” One million cubic feet of natural gas.

 

“MMcf/d” One MMcf per day.

“net revenue interest” The interest owned in the revenues of a crude oil and natural gas property, after all royalties, overriding royalties and other burdens have been deducted from the working interest.

 

“plugging and abandonment” Refers to the sealing off of fluids in the strata penetrated by a well so that the fluids from one stratum will not escape into another or to the surface. Regulations of many states require plugging of abandoned wells.

 

“pre-tax PV10%” The present value of estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves calculated in accordance with the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, net of estimated lease operating expense, production taxes and future development costs, using price and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and amortization, or Federal income taxes and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%.

 

“reservoir” A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

 

“resource play” Refers to drilling programs targeted at regionally distributed oil or natural gas accumulations. Successful exploitation of these reservoirs is dependent upon new technologies such as horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracture stimulation to access large rock volumes in order to produce economic quantities of oil or natural gas.

 

“working interest” The interest in a crude oil and natural gas property (normally a leasehold interest) that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operations on the property and a share of production, subject to all royalties, overriding royalties and other burdens and to all costs of exploration, development and operations and all risks in connection therewith.

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, projected revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and debt levels, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, words such as we “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “should” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

 

 

We assume no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to update the forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents we incorporate by reference. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and our reports filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

	•	pursuing the development of projects that we believe will generate attractive rates of return;
	•	maintaining a balanced portfolio of lower risk, long-lived oil and gas properties that provide stable cash flows;
	•	seeking property acquisitions that complement our core areas; and
	•	allocating an increasing percentage of our capital budget to leasing and exploring prospect areas.

		Proved Reserves
																		Pre-Tax				December 2008
																		PV10%				Average Daily
						Natural				Total				%				Value(2)				Production
Core Area		Oil (MMBbl)(1)				Gas (Bcf)				(MMBOE)				Oil(1)				(In millions)				(MBOE/d)
Permian Basin			88.1				57.8				97.7				90	%		$	455.2				11.7
Rocky Mountains			49.2				203.9				83.2				59	%			548.2				27.7
Mid-Continent			37.2				11.7				39.1				95	%			416.2				7.2
Gulf Coast			3.1				41.6				10.1				31	%			105.2				5.0
Michigan			2.4				39.7				9.0				27	%			78.2				3.5
Total			180.0				354.8				239.1				75	%		$	1,603.0				55.1

(1)		Oil includes natural gas liquids.
(2)		Pre-tax PV10% may be considered a financial measure that is not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP, as defined by the SEC, and is derived from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Pre-tax PV10% is computed on the same basis as the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows but without deducting future income taxes. As of December 31, 2008, our discounted future income taxes were $226.6 million and our standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows was $1,376.4 million. We believe pre-tax PV10% is a useful measure to investors in evaluating the relative monetary significance of our oil and gas properties. We further believe investors may utilize our pre-tax PV10% as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies because many factors that are unique to each individual company impact the amount of future income taxes to be paid. Our management uses this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil and gas properties and acquisitions. However, pre-tax PV10% is not a substitute for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. Our pre-tax PV10% and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of our oil and natural gas reserves.

						Natural Gas
		Oil (MBbl)				(MMcf)				Total (MBOE)
Balance — December 31, 2007			196,318				326,742				250,775	(1)
Extensions and discoveries			20,395				57,093				29,910
Sales of minerals in place			(3,919	)			(14,277	)			(6,298	)
Purchases of minerals in place			513				90,329				15,568
Production			(12,448	)			(30,419	)			(17,517	)
Revisions to previous estimates			(20,851	)			(74,689	)			(33,300	)(2)
Balance — December 31, 2008			180,008				354,779				239,138

(1)		If the December 31, 2007 total proved reserves had been calculated using prices as of December 31, 2008, the total proved reserves would have been 207.5 MMBOE as compared to December 31, 2008 total proved reserves of 229.9 MMBOE after adjusting 239.1 MMBOE for sales of 6.3 MMBOE and acquisitions of 15.6 MMBOE during 2008. The NYMEX prices per Bbl of oil as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 were $96.00 and $44.60, respectively. The NYMEX prices per Mcf of natural gas as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008 were $7.10 and $5.63, respectively.
(2)		Includes a 39.0 MMBOE reduction in proved reserves due to decreases in prices of oil and natural gas from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.

										As a Percentage
		Contracted				Weighted Average				of December
		Volume (Bbls				NYMEX Price Collar				2008 Oil
Collar Period		per Month)				Range (per Bbl)				Production
Year Ending December 31, 2009			520,656			$	57.57 — $73.95				42.5	%
Year Ending December 31, 2010			420,524			$	62.34 — $83.00				34.3	%
Year Ending December 31, 2011			369,587			$	61.68 — $86.26				30.2	%
Year Ending December 31, 2012			338,758			$	61.70 — $87.63				27.7	%
Eleven Months Ending November 30, 2013			280,909			$	60.33 — $81.46				22.9	%

		Contracted								As a Percentage
		Volumes				Weighted Average				of December
		(MMBtu per				NYMEX Price Collar				2008 Natural
Collar Period		Month)				Range (per MMBtu)				Gas Production
Year Ending December 31, 2009			48,152			$	6.50 — $17.11				1.7	%
Year Ending December 31, 2010			41,283			$	6.50 — $15.06				1.4	%
Year Ending December 31, 2011			36,376			$	6.50 — $14.62				1.3	%
Year Ending December 31, 2012			32,000			$	6.50 — $14.27				1.1	%

										As a Percentage
						2009 Contract				of December
		Natural Gas Volumes in				Price(1)				2008 Natural
Fixed Price Contracts		MMBtu per Month				per MMBtu				Gas Production
January 2009 — May 2011			67,000			$	5.14				2.3	%
January 2009 — September 2012			23,000			$	4.56				0.8	%

(1)		Annual 4% price escalation on fixed-price contracts.

				Average
		Average		Net		2009 Planned
		Working		Revenue		Capital
Development Area		Interest (%)		Interest (%)		Expenditures
						(In millions)
Northern Rockies
Sanish Field		74%		59%		$	150.6
Parshall Field		16%		12%			12.1
Area Sub Total						$	162.7
CO2 Projects
North Ward Estes Field(1)		100%		82%		$	97.8
Postle Field(1)		97%		85%			31.5
Area Sub Total						$	129.3
Central Rockies
Flat Rock Field		100%		79%		$	19.1
Sulphur Creek Field		75%		69%			4.4
Hatch Point Prospect		53%		44%			3.5
Rangely Weber Sand Unit		5%		4%			1.4
Area Sub Total						$	28.4
Total						$	320.4

(1)		2009 planned capital expenditures at our CO2 projects include $36.9 million at North Ward Estes and $15.3 million at Postle for purchased CO2.

																		Average
										Estimated				Average				Net				2009
										per Well				Working				Revenue				Planned
		Completion								Capital				Interest				Interest				Capital
Areas		Interval				Wells				Expenditures				(%)				(%)				Expenditures
										(In millions)												(In millions)
Northern Rockies
Sanish Field			Middle Bakken				12			$	7.0				64.6	%			52.5	%		$	54.3
Lewis & Clark Prospect			Three Forks				6			$	4.0				64.0	%			52.9	%		$	15.4
Parshall Field			Middle Bakken				9			$	6.0				18.4	%			14.7	%		$	9.9
Central Rockies
Sulphur Creek Field —
Jimmy Gulch —
Mesaverde			Mesaverde				9			$	3.5				90.0	%			76.5	%		$	28.4
Hatfield Prospect			Niobrara				6			$	1.5				100.0	%			80.0	%		$	9.0
Sulphur Creek Field —
Wasatch			Wasatch				6			$	1.5				73.4	%			67.9	%		$	6.6
Total							48															$	123.6

Common stock offered		8,000,000 shares
Shares outstanding after the offering		50,583,218 shares
Use of proceeds		After using the net proceeds from this offering to temporarily reduce amounts outstanding under our credit facility, we expect to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to increase our 2009 base capital budget by approximately $123.6 million to develop incremental opportunities we have identified in the Northern and Central Rockies. However, we may allocate this portion of the proceeds as well as the balance of the proceeds from this offering to either further develop these incremental projects or to expand the projects in our 2009 base capital budget that indicate the highest return based on drilling results through the time of such allocation. See “— Prospects to be Drilled in 2009 with Offering Proceeds”, “— 2009 Capital Budget and Major Development Areas” and “Use of Proceeds.”
Risk factors		Please read “Risk Factors” and the other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.
New York Stock Exchange Symbol		“WLL”

														Nine Months
														Ended
		Year Ended December 31,												September 30,
		2005				2006				2007				2007				2008
		(In millions, except per share data)
														(Unaudited)
Consolidated Income Statement Information:
Revenues and other income:
Oil and natural gas sales		$	573.2			$	773.1			$	809.0			$	558.0			$	1,102.7
Loss on oil and natural gas hedging activities			(33.4	)			(7.5	)			(21.2	)			(2.1	)			(112.9	)
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties			—				12.1				29.7				29.7				—
Amortization of deferred gain on sale			—				—				—				—				7.7
Interest income and other			0.6				1.1				1.2				0.8				0.8
Total revenues and other income		$	540.4			$	778.8			$	818.7			$	586.4			$	998.3
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating		$	111.6			$	183.6			$	208.9			$	154.5			$	177.9
Production taxes			36.1				47.1				52.4				34.9				72.0
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			97.6				162.8				192.8				143.2				179.6
Exploration and impairment			16.7				34.5				37.3				26.3				30.5
General and administrative			30.6				37.8				39.0				27.9				51.9
Change in Production Participation Plan liability			9.7				6.2				8.6				6.4				27.0
Interest expense			42.0				73.5				72.5				56.5				48.8
Loss on mark-to-market derivatives			—				—				—				1.2				7.0
Total costs and expenses		$	344.3			$	545.5			$	611.5			$	450.9			$	594.7
Income before income taxes		$	196.1			$	233.3			$	207.2			$	135.5			$	403.6
Income tax expense			74.2				76.9				76.6				50.6				148.4
Net income		$	121.9			$	156.4			$	130.6			$	84.9			$	255.2
Net income per common share, basic		$	3.89			$	4.26			$	3.31			$	2.20			$	6.03
Net income per common share, diluted		$	3.88			$	4.25			$	3.29			$	2.19			$	6.01
Other Financial Information:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	330.2			$	411.2			$	394.0			$	272.6			$	611.5
Capital expenditures		$	1,126.9			$	552.0			$	519.6			$	370.5			$	1,051.6
EBITDA(1)		$	335.7			$	469.6			$	472.5			$	335.2			$	632.0

		As of December 31,												As of September 30,
		2005				2006				2007				2007				2008
										(In millions)				(Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information:
Total assets		$	2,235.2			$	2,585.4			$	2,952.0			$	2,811.0			$	3,835.1
Total debt		$	875.1			$	995.4			$	868.2			$	836.7			$	1,118.6
Stockholders’ equity		$	997.9			$	1,186.7			$	1,490.8			$	1,472.9			$	1,779.4

(1)		We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. Although not prescribed under GAAP, we believe the presentation of EBITDA is relevant and useful because it helps our investors to understand our operating performance and makes it easier to compare our results with other companies that have different financing and capital structures or tax rates. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use.
		The following table presents a reconciliation of our consolidated net income to our consolidated EBITDA for the periods presented:

														Nine Months Ended
		Year Ended December 31,												September 30,
		2005				2006				2007				2007				2008
										(In millions)
Net income		$	121.9			$	156.4			$	130.6			$	84.9			$	255.2
Income tax expense			74.2				76.9				76.6				50.6				148.4
Interest expense			42.0				73.5				72.5				56.5				48.8
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			97.6				162.8				192.8				143.2				179.6
EBITDA		$	335.7			$	469.6			$	472.5			$	335.2			$	632.0

		As of December 31,
		2006				2007				2008
Reserve Data:
Total estimated proved developed reserves:
Oil (MMBbls)			122.5				127.3				121.0
Natural gas (Bcf)			226.5				237.0				229.2
Total (MMBOE)			160.2				166.8				159.2
Total estimated proved reserves:
Oil (MMBbls)			195.0				196.3				180.0
Natural gas (Bcf)			318.9				326.7				354.8
Total (MMBOE)			248.1				250.8				239.1
Pre-tax PV10% value (in millions)(1)(2)		$	3,352.2			$	5,858.3			$	1,603.0
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (in millions)(1)(3)		$	2,392.2			$	4,011.7			$	1,376.4

(1)		The December 31, 2006 amount was calculated using a period end average realized oil price of $54.81 per Bbl and a period end average realized natural gas price of $5.41 per Mcf, the December 31, 2007 amount was calculated using a period end average realized oil price of $88.62 per Bbl and a period end average realized natural gas price of $6.31 per Mcf and the December 31, 2008 amount was calculated using a period end average realized oil price of $44.60 per Bbl and a period end average realized natural gas price of $5.63 per Mcf.
(2)		Pre-tax PV10% may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC and is derived from the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Pre-tax PV10% is computed on the same basis as the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows but without deducting future income taxes. Our discounted future income taxes were $960.0 million as of December 31, 2006, $1,846.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and $226.6 million as of December 31, 2008. We believe pre-tax PV10% is a useful measure to investors in evaluating the relative monetary significance of our oil and gas properties. We further believe investors may utilize our pre-tax PV10% as a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our reserves to other companies because many factors that are unique to each individual company impact the amount of future income taxes to be paid. Our management uses this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil and gas properties and acquisitions. However, pre-tax PV10% is not a substitute for the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. Our pre-tax PV10% and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do not purport to present the fair value of our oil and natural gas reserves.
(3)		The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which reflects the after-tax present value of discounted future net cash flows, relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves were prepared in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69. Future cash inflows were computed by applying prices at year end to estimated future production. Future production and development costs are computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and natural gas reserves at year end, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. Future net cash flows are discounted at a rate of 10% annually to derive the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. This calculation procedure does not necessarily result in an estimate of the fair market value or the present value of our oil and gas properties.

														Nine Months Ended
		Year Ended December 31,												September 30,
		2005				2006				2007				2007				2008
Operating Data:
Net Production:
Oil (MMBbls)			7.0				9.8				9.6				7.1				8.7
Natural gas (Bcf)			30.3				32.1				30.8				23.3				22.4
Total production (MMBOE)			12.1				15.2				14.7				11.0				12.4
Net Sales (in millions)(1):
Oil		$	360.4			$	561.2			$	618.5			$	414.8			$	904.1
Natural gas		$	212.8			$	211.9			$	190.5			$	143.2			$	198.6
Total oil and natural gas		$	573.2			$	773.1			$	809.0			$	558.0			$	1,102.7
Average sales prices:
Oil (per Bbl)		$	51.26			$	57.27			$	64.57			$	58.37			$	104.21
Effect of oil hedges on average price (per Bbl)		$	(2.72	)		$	(0.95	)		$	(2.21	)		$	(0.29	)		$	(13.01	)
Oil net of hedging (per Bbl)		$	48.54			$	56.32			$	62.36			$	58.08			$	91.20
Average NYMEX price		$	56.61			$	66.25			$	72.30			$	66.12			$	113.38
Natural gas (per Mcf)		$	7.03			$	6.59			$	6.19			$	6.14			$	8.87
Effect of natural gas hedges on average price (per Mcf)		$	(0.47	)		$	0.06			$	—			$	—			$	—
Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)		$	6.56			$	6.65			$	6.19			$	6.14			$	8.87
Average NYMEX price		$	8.64			$	7.23			$	6.86			$	6.83			$	9.75
Cost and expenses (per BOE):
Lease operating expenses		$	9.24			$	12.12			$	14.20			$	14.05			$	14.33
Production taxes		$	2.99			$	3.11			$	3.56			$	3.17			$	5.80
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses		$	8.08			$	10.74			$	13.11			$	13.02			$	14.47
General and administrative expenses		$	2.53			$	2.49			$	2.66			$	2.54			$	4.18

 

You should carefully consider each of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks develop into actual events, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Relating to the Oil and Gas Industry and Our Business

 

Oil and natural gas prices are very volatile. A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The oil and gas markets are very volatile, and we cannot predict future oil and natural gas prices. The price we receive for our oil and natural gas production heavily influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. The prices we receive for our production and the levels of our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

Furthermore, the recent worldwide financial and credit crisis has reduced the availability of liquidity and credit to fund the continuation and expansion of industrial business operations worldwide. The shortage of liquidity and credit combined with recent substantial losses in worldwide equity markets has lead to a worldwide economic recession. The slowdown in economic activity caused by such recession has reduced worldwide demand for energy and resulted in lower oil and natural gas prices. Oil prices declined from record levels in early July 2008 of over $140 per Bbl to below $40 per Bbl in December 2008, while natural gas prices have declined from over $13 per Mcf to below $6 per Mcf over the same period. In addition, the forecasted prices for 2009 have also declined.

 

Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically and therefore potentially lower our reserve bookings. A substantial or extended decline in oil or natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital expenditures. For example, we expect to fund our 2009 base capital budget of $320.4 million through net cash provided by our operating activities. To the extent commodity prices received from production are insufficient to fund this budget, we will be required to reduce capital spending or borrow any such shortfall. Lower oil and natural gas prices may also reduce the amount of our borrowing base under our credit agreement, which is determined at the discretion of the lenders based on the collateral value of our proved

reserves that have been mortgaged to the lenders, and is subject to regular redeterminations on May 1 and November 1 of each year, as well as special redeterminations described in the credit agreement.

 

The global financial crisis may have impacts on our business and financial condition that we currently cannot predict.

 

The continued credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system may have an impact on our business and our financial condition, and we may face challenges if conditions in the financial markets do not improve. Our ability to access the capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to raise financing, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The economic situation could have an impact on our lenders or customers, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to us. Additionally, market conditions could have an impact on our commodity hedging arrangements if our counterparties are unable to perform their obligations or seek bankruptcy protection.

 

Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our future success will depend on the success of our development, exploitation, production and exploration activities. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil or natural gas production. Our decisions to purchase, explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. Please read “— Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate . . .” later in this prospectus supplement for a discussion of the uncertainty involved in these processes. Our cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical. Further, many factors may curtail, delay or cancel drilling, including the following:

 

 

Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or gas in commercially viable quantities.

 

We describe some of our current prospects and our plans to explore those prospects in this prospectus supplement. A prospect is a property on which we have identified what our geoscientists believe, based on available seismic and geological information, to be indications of oil or gas. Our prospects are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from a prospect which is ready to drill to a prospect that will require substantial additional seismic data processing and interpretation. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular prospect will yield oil or gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or gas will be present in commercial quantities. In addition, because of the wide variance that results from different equipment used to test the wells, initial flowrates may not be indicative of sufficient oil or gas quantities in a particular field. The analogies we draw from available

data from other wells, more fully explored prospects or producing fields may not be applicable to our drilling prospects. We may terminate our drilling program for a prospect if results do not merit further investment.

 

Our identified drilling locations are scheduled out over several years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.

 

We have specifically identified and scheduled drilling locations as an estimation of our future multi-year drilling activities on our existing acreage including the locations included in our budget for 2009. As of December 31, 2008, we had identified a drilling inventory of over 1,400 gross drilling locations. These scheduled drilling locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop these locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including oil and natural gas prices, the availability of capital, including our ability to fund our 2009 base capital budget of $320.4 million through net cash provided by our operating activities, costs of oil field goods and services, drilling results, regulatory approvals and other factors. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the numerous potential drilling locations we have identified will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce oil or gas from these or any other potential drilling locations. As such, our actual drilling activities may materially differ from those presently identified, which could adversely affect our business.

 

We have been an early entrant into new or emerging plays; as a result, our drilling results in these areas are uncertain, and the value of our undeveloped acreage will decline and we may incur impairment charges if drilling results are unsuccessful.

 

While our costs to acquire undeveloped acreage in new or emerging plays have generally been less than those of later entrants into a developing play, our drilling results in these areas are more uncertain than drilling results in areas that are developed and producing. Since new or emerging plays have limited or no production history, we are unable to use past drilling results in those areas to help predict our future drilling results. Therefore, our cost of drilling, completing and operating wells in these areas may be higher than initially expected, and the value of our undeveloped acreage will decline if drilling results are unsuccessful. Furthermore, if drilling results are unsuccessful, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our undeveloped acreage in new or emerging plays. For the fourth quarter of 2008, we expect to record a $10.9 million non-cash impairment charge to income to write down a portion of our $18.4 million cost basis in unproved properties in the central Utah Hingeline play. We may also incur such impairment charges in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken.

 

Our use of enhanced recovery methods creates uncertainties that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

One of our business strategies is to commercially develop oil reservoirs using enhanced recovery technologies. For example, we inject water and CO₂ into formations on some of our properties to increase the production of oil and natural gas. The additional production and reserves attributable to the use of these enhanced recovery methods are inherently difficult to predict. If our enhanced recovery programs do not allow for the extraction of oil and gas in the manner or to the extent that we anticipate, our future results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, our ability to utilize CO₂ as an enhanced recovery technique is subject to our ability to obtain sufficient quantities of CO₂. Our CO₂ contracts permit the suppliers to reduce the amount of CO₂ they provide to us in certain circumstances. If this occurs, we may not have sufficient CO₂ to produce oil and natural gas in the manner or to the extent that we anticipate. These contracts are also structured as “take-or-pay” arrangements, which require us to continue to make payments even if we decide to terminate or reduce our use of CO₂ as part of our enhanced recovery techniques.

 

The development of the proved undeveloped reserves in the North Ward Estes and Postle fields may take longer and may require higher levels of capital expenditures than we currently anticipate.

 

As of December 31, 2008, undeveloped reserves comprised 46.5% of the North Ward Estes field’s total estimated proved reserves and 16.8% of Postle field’s estimated total proved reserves. To fully develop

these reserves, we expect to incur total future development costs of $410.1 million at the North Ward Estes field and $84.5 million at the Postle field. During 2007 and 2006, the estimated future capital expenditures necessary to develop the proved reserves at the North Ward Estes field and Postle field increased substantially. The increases were due to several factors, including equipment and service cost inflation, higher CO₂ unit costs and volumes, higher costs associated with the expanded scope of previously identified projects, as well as new projects identified during 2006. Together, these fields encompass 59% of our estimated total future development costs related to proved reserves. Development of these reserves may take longer and require higher levels of capital expenditures than we currently anticipate. In addition, the development of these reserves will require the use of enhanced recovery techniques, including water flood and CO₂ injection installations, the success of which is less predictable than traditional development techniques. Therefore, ultimate recoveries from these fields may not match current expectations.

 

If oil and natural gas prices decrease, we may be required to take write-downs of the carrying values of our oil and gas properties.

 

Accounting rules require that we review periodically the carrying value of our oil and gas properties for possible impairment. Based on specific market factors and circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews, and the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data, economics and other factors, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and gas properties. A write-down constitutes a non-cash charge to earnings. We may incur impairment charges in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken.

 

Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.

 

The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves is complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to economic factors. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of reserves referred to in this prospectus supplement.

 

In order to prepare our estimates, we must project production rates and timing of development expenditures. We must also analyze available geological, geophysical, production and engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary. The process also requires economic assumptions about matters such as oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. Therefore, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves are inherently imprecise.

 

Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, exploration and development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves most likely will vary from our estimates. Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of reserves referred to in this prospectus supplement. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

You should not assume that the present value of future net revenues from our proved reserves, as referred to in this prospectus supplement, is the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we generally base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the present value estimate. If natural gas prices decline by $0.10 per Mcf, then the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2008 would have decreased from $1,376.4 million to $1,366.0 million. If oil prices decline by $1.00 per Bbl, then the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2008 would have decreased from $1,376.4 million to $1,326.1 million.

Our debt level and the covenants in the agreements governing our debt could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects.

 

As of December 31, 2008, we had $620.0 million in borrowings and $2.8 million in letters of credit outstanding under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement with $277.2 million of available borrowing capacity, as well as $620.0 million of senior subordinated notes outstanding. We are permitted to incur additional indebtedness, provided we meet certain requirements in the indentures governing our senior subordinated notes and Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement.

 

Our level of indebtedness and the covenants contained in the agreements governing our debt could have important consequences for our operations, including:

 

 

We may be required to repay all or a portion of our debt on an accelerated basis in certain circumstances. If we fail to comply with the covenants and other restrictions in the agreements governing our debt, it could lead to an event of default and the acceleration of our repayment of outstanding debt. Our ability to comply with these covenants and other restrictions may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic and financial conditions. Moreover, the borrowing base limitation on Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement is periodically redetermined based on an evaluation of our reserves. Upon a redetermination, if borrowings in excess of the revised borrowing capacity were outstanding, we could be forced to repay a portion of our debt under the credit agreement.

 

We may not have sufficient funds to make such repayments. If we are unable to repay our debt out of cash on hand, we could attempt to refinance such debt, sell assets or repay such debt with the proceeds from an equity offering. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our debt or future borrowings, and equity financings or proceeds from the sale of assets may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. The terms of our debt, including Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement, may also prohibit us from taking such actions. Factors that will affect our ability to raise cash through an offering of our capital stock, a refinancing of our debt or a sale of assets include financial market conditions and our market value and operating performance at the time of such offering or other financing. We may not be able to successfully complete any such offering, refinancing or sale of assets.

 

The instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants limiting the discretion of our management in operating our business.

 

The indentures governing our senior subordinated notes and Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement contain various restrictive covenants that may potentially limit our management’s discretion in certain respects. In particular, these agreements will limit our and our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

 

 

 

In addition, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement requires us to maintain a debt to EBITDAX ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of less than 3.5 to 1 and a working capital ratio of greater than 1 to 1. Also, the indentures under which we issued our senior subordinated notes restrict us from incurring additional indebtedness, subject to certain exceptions, unless our fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the indentures) is at least 2.0 to 1. If we were in violation of this covenant, then we may not be able to incur additional indebtedness, including under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement.

 

If we fail to comply with the restrictions in the indentures governing our senior subordinated notes or Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s credit agreement or any other subsequent financing agreements, a default may allow the creditors, if the agreements so provide, to accelerate the related indebtedness as well as any other indebtedness to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to make available further funds.

 

Our exploration and development operations require substantial capital, and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a loss of properties and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.

 

The oil and gas industry is capital intensive. We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. To date, we have financed capital expenditures primarily with bank borrowings and cash generated by operations. We intend to finance our future capital expenditures with cash flow from operations and our existing financing arrangements. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital is subject to a number of variables, including:

 

 

If our revenues or the borrowing base under our bank credit agreement decreases as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, then we may have limited ability to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels. We may, from time to time, need to seek additional financing. There can be no assurance as to the availability or terms of any additional financing.

 

If additional capital is needed, we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us, or at all. If cash generated by operations or available under our revolving credit facility is not

sufficient to meet our capital requirements, the failure to obtain additional financing could result in a curtailment of our operations relating to the exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a possible loss of properties and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.

 

Our acquisition activities may not be successful.

 

As part of our growth strategy, we have made and may continue to make acquisitions of businesses and properties. However, suitable acquisition candidates may not continue to be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable, and acquisitions pose substantial risks to our business, financial condition and results of operations. In pursuing acquisitions, we compete with other companies, many of which have greater financial and other resources to acquire attractive companies and properties. The following are some of the risks associated with acquisitions, including any completed or future acquisitions:

 

 

Substantial acquisitions or other transactions could require significant external capital and could change our risk and property profile.

 

In order to finance acquisitions of additional producing properties, we may need to alter or increase our capitalization substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities, the sale of production payments or other means. These changes in capitalization may significantly affect our risk profile. Additionally, significant acquisitions or other transactions can change the character of our operations and business. The character of the new properties may be substantially different in operating or geological characteristics or geographic location than our existing properties. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain external funding for future acquisitions or other transactions or to obtain external funding on terms acceptable to us.

 

Properties that we acquire may not produce as projected, and we may be unable to identify liabilities associated with the properties or obtain protection from sellers against them.

 

Our business strategy includes a continuing acquisition program. From 2004 to 2008, we completed 13 separate acquisitions of producing properties for estimated proved reserves as of the effective dates of the acquisitions of 226.9 MMBOE. The successful acquisition of producing properties requires assessments of many factors, which are inherently inexact and may be inaccurate, including the following:

 

 

Our assessment will not reveal all existing or potential problems, nor will it permit us to become familiar enough with the properties to assess fully their capabilities and deficiencies. In the course of our due diligence, we may not inspect every well, platform or pipeline. Inspections may not reveal structural and environmental problems, such as pipeline corrosion or groundwater contamination, when they are made. We may not be able to obtain contractual indemnities from the seller for liabilities that it created. We may be required to assume the risk of the physical condition of the properties in addition to the risk that the properties may not perform in accordance with our expectations.

 

Seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate.

 

Oil and gas operations in the Rocky Mountains are adversely affected by seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations designed to protect various wildlife. In certain areas drilling and other oil and gas activities can only be conducted during the spring and summer months. This limits our ability to operate in those areas and can intensify competition during those months for drilling rigs, oil field equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages. Resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs.

 

The differential between the NYMEX or other benchmark price of oil and natural gas and the wellhead price we receive could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

The prices that we receive for our oil and natural gas production generally trade at a discount to the relevant benchmark prices, such as NYMEX, that are used for calculating hedge positions. The difference between the benchmark price and the price we receive is called a differential. We cannot accurately predict oil and natural gas differentials. Increases in the differential between the benchmark price for oil and natural gas and the wellhead price we receive could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

We may incur substantial losses and be subject to substantial liability claims as a result of our oil and gas operations.

 

We are not insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to all of the operating risks associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including the possibility of:

 

 

Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations or result in substantial losses to our company. We may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance, then it could adversely affect us.

We have limited control over activities on properties we do not operate, which could reduce our production and revenues.

 

If we do not operate the properties in which we own an interest, we do not have control over normal operating procedures, expenditures or future development of underlying properties. The failure of an operator of our wells to adequately perform operations or an operator’s breach of the applicable agreements could reduce our production and revenues. The success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others therefore depends upon a number of factors outside of our control, including the operator’s timing and amount of capital expenditures, expertise and financial resources, inclusion of other participants in drilling wells, and use of technology. Because we do not have a majority interest in most wells we do not operate, we may not be in a position to remove the operator in the event of poor performance.

 

Our use of 3-D seismic data is subject to interpretation and may not accurately identify the presence of oil and gas, which could adversely affect the results of our drilling operations.

 

Even when properly used and interpreted, 3-D seismic data and visualization techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and hydrocarbon indicators and do not enable the interpreter to know whether hydrocarbons are, in fact, present in those structures. In addition, the use of 3-D seismic and other advanced technologies requires greater predrilling expenditures than traditional drilling strategies, and we could incur losses as a result of such expenditures. Thus, some of our drilling activities may not be successful or economical, and our overall drilling success rate or our drilling success rate for activities in a particular area could decline. We often gather 3-D seismic data over large areas. Our interpretation of seismic data delineates for us those portions of an area that we believe are desirable for drilling. Therefore, we may choose not to acquire option or lease rights prior to acquiring seismic data, and in many cases, we may identify hydrocarbon indicators before seeking option or lease rights in the location. If we are not able to lease those locations on acceptable terms, it would result in our having made substantial expenditures to acquire and analyze 3-D seismic data without having an opportunity to attempt to benefit from those expenditures.

 

Market conditions or operational impediments may hinder our access to oil and gas markets or delay our production.

 

In connection with our continued development of oil and gas properties, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of delays or interruptions of production from wells in these properties, caused by transportation capacity constraints, curtailment of production or the interruption of transporting oil and gas volumes produced. In addition, market conditions or a lack of satisfactory oil and gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to oil and gas markets or delay our production. The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines and terminal facilities. Our ability to market our production depends substantially on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third-parties. Additionally, entering into arrangements for these services exposes us to the risk that third parties will default on their obligations under such arrangements. Our failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms or the default by a third party on their obligation to provide such services could materially harm our business. We may be required to shut in wells for a lack of a market or because access to gas pipelines, gathering systems or processing facilities may be limited or unavailable. If that were to occur, then we would be unable to realize revenue from those wells until production arrangements were made to deliver the production to market.

 

We are subject to complex laws that can affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.

 

Exploration, development, production and sale of oil and natural gas are subject to extensive federal, state, local and international regulation. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply with governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include:

 

 

 

Under these laws, we could be liable for personal injuries, property damage and other damages. Failure to comply with these laws also may result in the suspension or termination of our operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws could change in ways that could substantially increase our costs. Any such liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our operations may incur substantial liabilities to comply with environmental laws and regulations.

 

Our oil and gas operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the release or disposal of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling commences; restrict the types, quantities, and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling and production activities; limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, and other protected areas; and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, incurrence of investigatory or remedial obligations, or the imposition of injunctive relief. Under these environmental laws and regulations, we could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or if our operations were standard in the industry at the time they were performed. Federal law and some state laws also allow the government to place a lien on real property for costs incurred by the government to address contamination on the property.

 

Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly material handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require us to make significant expenditures to maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, competitive position, or financial condition as well as those of the oil and gas industry in general. For instance, in response to studies suggesting that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as greenhouse gases and including carbon dioxide and methane, may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere, President Obama has expressed support for, and it is anticipated that the current session of Congress will consider legislation to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases. In addition, more than one-third of the states, either individually or through multi-state regional initiatives, have already taken legal measures to reduce emission of these gases, primarily through the planned development of greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court held in a case, Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA, that greenhouse gases fall within the federal Clean Air Act’s definition of “air pollutant,” which could result in the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under certain Clean Air Act programs, even if Congress does not adopt new legislation specifically addressing emissions of greenhouse gases. More recently, in July 2008, EPA released an “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” regarding possible future regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. New legislation or regulatory programs that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases in areas in which we conduct business could have an adverse affect on our operations and demand for the oil and gas we produce.

 

Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.

 

Unless we conduct successful development, exploitation and exploration activities or acquire properties containing proved reserves, our proved reserves will decline as those reserves are produced. Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are characterized by declining production rates that vary

depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production, and therefore our cash flow and income, are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, exploit, find or acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future production.

 

The loss of senior management or technical personnel could adversely affect us.

 

To a large extent, we depend on the services of our senior management and technical personnel. The loss of the services of our senior management or technical personnel, including James J. Volker, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; James T. Brown, our Senior Vice President; Rick A. Ross, our Vice President, Operations; Peter W. Hagist, our Vice President, Permian Operations; J. Douglas Lang, our Vice President, Reservoir Engineering/Acquisitions; David M. Seery, our Vice President of Land; Michael J. Stevens, our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; or Mark R. Williams, our Vice President, Exploration and Development, could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We do not maintain, nor do we plan to obtain, any insurance against the loss of any of these individuals.

 

The unavailability or high cost of additional drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oil field services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis or within our budget.

 

Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or personnel could delay or adversely affect our exploration and development operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Competition in the oil and gas industry is intense, which may adversely affect our ability to compete.

 

We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties, marketing oil and gas and securing trained personnel. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel resources substantially greater than ours, which can be particularly important in the areas in which we operate. Those companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and gas properties and exploratory prospects and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or personnel resources permit. Our ability to acquire additional prospects and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. Also, there is substantial competition for available capital for investment in the oil and gas industry. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and raising additional capital.

 

Our use of oil and natural gas price hedging contracts involves credit risk and may limit future revenues from price increases and result in significant fluctuations in our net income.

 

We enter into hedging transactions of our oil and natural gas production to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas. Our hedging transactions to date have consisted of financially settled crude oil and natural gas forward sales contracts, primarily costless collars, placed with major financial institutions. As of December 31, 2008, we had contracts, which include our 24.2% share of the Whiting USA Trust I hedges, covering the sale in 2009 of between 489,190 and 556,129 barrels of oil per month and between 44,874 and 52,353 MMBtu of natural gas per month. All our oil hedges expire in November 2013, and all our natural gas hedges expire in December 2012. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary — Recent Developments — Hedging Program” for pricing and a more detailed discussion of our hedging transactions.

 

We may in the future enter into these and other types of hedging arrangements to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the market prices of oil and natural gas. Hedging transactions expose us to risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including if production is less than expected, the other party to the contract defaults on its obligations or there is a change in the expected differential between the underlying

price in the hedging agreement and actual prices received. Hedging transactions may limit the benefit we may otherwise receive from increases in the price for oil and natural gas. Furthermore, if we do not engage in hedging transactions, then we may be more adversely affected by declines in oil and natural gas prices than our competitors who engage in hedging transactions. Additionally, hedging transactions may expose us to cash margin requirements.

 

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

 

Our stock price may be volatile.

 

The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations, and may decline. The following factors could affect our stock price:

 

 

The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

 

We have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock. You may not receive funds without selling your shares.

 

We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. Our future dividend policy is within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors, including our business, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and investment opportunities. In addition, the agreements governing our indebtedness prohibit us from paying dividends.

 

Provisions in our organizational documents, our rights agreement and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

 

The existence of our rights agreement and some provisions in our organizational documents and under Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock. The provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws that could delay or prevent an unsolicited change in control of our company include a staggered board of directors, board authority to issue preferred stock, advance notice provisions for director nominations or business to be considered at a stockholder meeting and supermajority voting requirements. Our rights agreement provides each share of common stock, including shares offered through this prospectus supplement, the right to purchase one-hundredth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, which is exercisable only if a person or group has acquired, or announced an intention to acquire, 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. The rights have certain anti-takeover effects, in that they could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company by causing substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire a significant interest in our company on terms not approved by our board of directors. In addition, Delaware law imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock. See “Description of Capital Stock — Preferred Stock,” “Description of Capital Stock — Preferred Share Purchase Right” and “Description of Capital Stock — Delaware Anti-Takeover Law and Charter and By-law Provisions” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

We will receive net proceeds of approximately $222.2 million from our sale of 8,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $29.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. If the underwriters’ exercise their over-allotment option in full, we estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $255.6 million, after deducting the underwriting discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

After using the net proceeds from this offering to temporarily reduce amounts outstanding under our credit facility, we expect to use a portion of the proceeds from this offering to increase our 2009 base capital budget by approximately $123.6 million to develop incremental opportunities we have identified in the Northern and Central Rockies. However, we may allocate this portion of the proceeds as well as the balance of the proceeds from this offering to either further develop these incremental projects or to expand the projects in our 2009 base capital budget that indicate the highest return based on drilling results through the time of such allocation. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary — Prospects to be Drilled in 2009 with Offering Proceeds” and “Prospectus Supplement Summary — 2009 Capital Budget and Major Development Areas.” Affiliates of some of the underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and, accordingly, will receive a substantial portion of the proceeds from this offering from our reduction of such facility. See “Underwriting — Other Relationships.” Borrowings under our credit agreement were incurred to fund capital expenditures for development and exploration and to acquire properties in the Flat Rock field in Uintah County, Utah, currently bear interest at the rate of 1.84% and mature in August 2010.

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2008 on an actual basis and as adjusted giving effect to the sale of 8,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at the public offering price of $29.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses and the application of the estimated net proceeds of this offering as described under “Use of Proceeds”.

 

You should read this table in conjunction with our historical financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The information below assumes the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.

 

 

 

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under symbol “WLL”. The following table shows the high and low sale prices for our common stock for the periods presented.

 

 

On January 29, 2009, the last sale price of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $29.14 per share.

 

As of December 31, 2008, there were 890 stockholders of record and, as of January 18, 2009, approximately 31,849 beneficial owners of our common stock.

 

We have not paid any dividends since we were incorporated in July 2003. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. Our future dividend policy is within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and investment opportunities. In addition, the agreements governing our indebtedness prohibit us from paying dividends.

 

We intend to offer the shares through the underwriters. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is acting as the representative of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions described in a purchase agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters severally have agreed to purchase from us, the number of shares listed opposite their names below.

 

 

The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the shares sold under the purchase agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the purchase agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the purchase agreement may be terminated.

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the purchase agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or part.

 

Commissions and Discounts

 

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the shares to the public at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $.696 per share. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $.10 per share to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

 

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds to us before expenses. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of the overallotment option.

 

 

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $500,000 and are payable by us.

Overallotment Option

 

We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to 1,200,000 additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the purchase agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

 

No Sale of Similar Securities

 

We, our executive officers and our directors have agreed, with exceptions, not to sell or transfer any of our common stock for 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without first obtaining the written consent of Merrill Lynch on behalf of the underwriters. Specifically, we have agreed not to directly or indirectly:

 

 

This lock-up provision applies to common stock and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with common stock. It also applies to common stock owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires power of disposition. The 90-day restricted period will be automatically extended if (1) during the last 17 days of the 90-day restricted period we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 90-day restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day restricted period, in which case the restrictions described above will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event. In addition, the lock-up provision will not restrict broker-dealers from engaging in market making and similar activities conducted in the ordinary course of their business.

 

New York Stock Exchange Listing

 

The shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WLL.”

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

 

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our common stock. However, the representative may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the common stock, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

 

If the underwriters create a short position in the common stock in connection with the offering, i.e., if they sell more shares than are listed on the cover of this prospectus supplement, the representative may reduce that short position by purchasing shares in the open market. The representative may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of the overallotment option described above. Purchases of our common

stock to stabilize its price or to reduce a short position may cause the price of our common stock to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases.

 

Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the representative will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. Merrill Lynch will be facilitating Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. Merrill Lynch intends to allocate a limited number of shares for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus supplement is available on the Internet Website maintained by Merrill Lynch. Other than the prospectus supplement in electronic format, the information on the Merrill Lynch Website is not part of this prospectus supplement.

 

Notices to Certain European Residents

 

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of common stock described in this prospectus may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the common stock that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of securities may be offered to the public in that relevant member state at any time:

 

 

Each purchaser of common stock described in this prospectus located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.

 

The sellers of the common stock have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of common stock through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the common stock as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the common stock, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the common stock on behalf of the sellers or the underwriters.

This prospectus is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (“Qualified Investors”) that are also (a) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (b) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed, published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Each underwriter will represent, warrant and agree that (i) it has communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and (ii) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the offering of the shares as contemplated by this prospectus in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

Other Relationships

 

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us. In addition, affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC (including Wachovia Bank, National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.) are lenders under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation’s bank credit facility and each will receive its proportionate share of the net proceeds of the offering used to repay a portion of the outstanding balance under the credit facility. Because more than ten percent of the net proceeds may be paid to affiliates of members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. participating in the offering, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(h). Because a bona fide independent market exists for our common stock, the FINRA does not require that we use a qualified independent underwriter.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement is a part of the registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits. You may read and copy the registration statement and any other document that we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You can call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. You can also find our public filings with the SEC on the internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at http://www.sec.gov.

 

We are “incorporating by reference” specified documents that we file with the SEC, which means:

 

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus supplement and before the end of the offering of the securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement:

 

 

Information in this prospectus supplement supersedes related information in the documents listed above, and information in subsequently filed documents supersedes related information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the incorporated documents.

 

You may request a copy of any of these filings, at no cost, by request directed to us at the following address or telephone number:

 

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

1700 Broadway, Suite 2300

Denver, Colorado 80290

(303) 837-1661

Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

You can also find these filings on our website at www.whiting.com. However, we are not incorporating the information on our website other than these filings into this prospectus.

 

Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for us by the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP. Certain legal matters relating to this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by the law firm of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

 

The financial statements and the related financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference from Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Certain information with respect to our oil and natural gas reserves derived from the report of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum engineering consultant, has been included in this prospectus supplement, and incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference from Whiting Petroleum Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2007, on the authority of said firm as an expert in petroleum engineering.

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

 

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

 

 

 

 

We may offer and sell from time to time our securities in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the times of the offerings. Our subsidiaries may guarantee any debt securities that we issue under this prospectus. In addition, selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock in such amounts as set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by any selling stockholders.

 

We will provide specific terms of the securities, including the offering prices, in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of securities carefully before you invest.

 

We may offer the securities independently or together in any combination for sale directly to purchasers or through underwriters, dealers or agents to be designated at a future date. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution.

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WLL.”

 

Investment in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in any applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for a discussion of certain factors which should be considered in an investment of the securities which may be offered hereby.

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is May 8, 2006.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

In this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our” or “ours” refer to Whiting Petroleum Corporation.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer and the shares of our common stock that selling stockholders may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making offers to sell or solicitations to buy the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

This prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus and/or other offering material and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future risks and may be preceded by or include forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “anticipates,” “projects” or similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus and/or other offering material, including those regarding our financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements and any other forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any supplement to this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material only reflect our expectations and are not guarantees of performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among others, those we identify from time to time in materials that we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Numerous important factors described in this prospectus, or any supplement to this prospectus and/or other offering material and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material could affect these statements and could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

We are an independent oil and natural gas holding company engaged in oil and natural gas exploitation, acquisition, exploration and production activities primarily in the Permian Basin, Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and Michigan regions of the United States. Since our inception in 1980, we have built a strong asset base and achieved steady growth through both property acquisitions and exploitation activities.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 1700 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, Colorado 80290-2300, and our telephone number is (303) 837-1661.

 

We may register shares of common stock covered by this prospectus for re-offers and resales by any selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement. Because we are a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, we may add secondary sales of shares of our common stock by any selling stockholders by filing a prospectus supplement with the SEC. We may register these shares to permit selling stockholders to resell their shares when they deem appropriate. A selling stockholder may resell all, a portion or none of their shares at any time and from time to time. Selling stockholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We do not know when or in what amounts the selling stockholders may offer shares for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by the selling stockholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions, which will be borne by the selling stockholders. We will provide you with a prospectus supplement naming the selling stockholder, the amount of shares to be registered and sold and any other terms of the shares of common stock being sold by a selling stockholder.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

The following table presents our ratios of consolidated earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented.

 

 

 

 

We did not have any preferred stock outstanding and we did not pay or accrue any preferred stock dividends during the periods presented above.

 

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may issue separately, upon exercise of a debt warrant, in connection with a stock purchase contract or as part of a stock purchase unit from time to time in the form of one or more series of debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will describe the specific terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement and/or other offering material as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those debt securities.

 

Any debt securities issued using this prospectus (“Debt Securities”) will be our direct unsecured general obligations. The Debt Securities will be either our senior debt securities (“Senior Debt Securities”) or our subordinated debt securities (“Subordinated Debt Securities”). The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under the Subordinated Indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), dated as of April 19, 2005, among us, certain of our subsidiaries and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a “Senior Indenture” among us, certain of our subsidiaries, if such subsidiaries are guarantors of the Senior Debt Securities, and a U.S. banking institution named as trustee in a prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Together, the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are called “Indentures.”

 

We are a holding company, and we primarily conduct our operations through subsidiaries. Unless the Debt Securities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries as described below, the rights of our company and our creditors, including holders of the Debt Securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization, will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourself be a creditor with recognized claims against such subsidiary.

 

We have summarized selected provisions of the Indentures below. The summary is not complete. Each Indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the Indentures for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below we have included references to article or section numbers of the applicable Indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Whenever we refer in this prospectus or in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material to particular article or sections or defined terms of the Indentures, those article or

sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as applicable. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the Indentures.

 

General

 

The Indentures provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt Securities of any series (Section 301). We will determine the terms and conditions of the Debt Securities, including the maturity, principal and interest, but those terms must be consistent with the Indenture. We have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt by issuing additional Debt Securities of such series.

 

The Senior Debt Securities will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt (“Senior Debt”). The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt (as defined) as described under “— Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities” and in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material applicable to any Subordinated Debt Securities.

 

If specified in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, certain of our domestic subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) will fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantees”) on a joint and several basis the Debt Securities as described under “— Subsidiary Guarantees” and in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. The Subsidiary Guarantees will be unsecured obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor. Subsidiary Guarantees of Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated to the Senior Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt (Article Thirteen).

 

The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will set forth the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be offered will be issued and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities:

 

(1) the title of the Debt Securities;

 

(2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities and, if Subordinated Debt Securities, the related subordination terms;

 

(3) whether any of the Subsidiary Guarantors will provide Subsidiary Guarantees of the Debt Securities;

 

(4) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

 

(5) the dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;

 

(6) the interest rate that the Debt Securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;

 

(7) the places where payments on the Debt Securities will be payable;

 

(8) any terms upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

 

(9) any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the Debt Securities;

 

(10) the portion of the principal amount, if less than all, of the Debt Securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities;

 

(11) whether the Debt Securities are defeasible;

 

(12) any addition to or change in the Events of Default;

(13) whether the Debt Securities are convertible into our common stock and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion price or conversion rate and any adjustments thereto and the conversion period;

 

(14) if convertible into our common stock or any of our other securities, the terms on which such Debt Securities are convertible;

 

(15) any addition to or change in the covenants in the Indenture applicable to the Debt Securities; and

 

(16) any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture (Section 301).

 

The Indentures do not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued. Each Indenture allows Debt Securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by our company and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.

 

Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. In addition, special United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

 

Senior Debt Securities

 

The Senior Debt Securities will be unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally with all other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Senior Debt Securities will, however, be subordinated in right of payment to all our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Except as provided in the applicable Senior Indenture or specified in any authorizing resolution or supplemental indenture relating to a series of Senior Debt Securities to be issued, no Senior Indenture will limit the amount of additional indebtedness that may rank equally with the Senior Debt Securities or the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, that may be incurred or preferred stock that may be issued by any of our subsidiaries.

 

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

 

The indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture with respect to each series of Subordinated Debt Securities, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities, and it may also be senior in right of payment to all of our Subordinated Debt (Article Twelve of the Subordinated Indenture). The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities will summarize the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture applicable to that series including:

 

 

The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will also describe as of a recent date the approximate amount of Senior Debt to which the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series will be subordinated.

 

The failure to make any payment on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities by reason of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities arising from any such failure to make payment.

 

The subordination provisions described above will not be applicable to payments in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities from a defeasance trust established in connection with any legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the Subordinated Debt Securities as described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”

 

Subsidiary Guarantees

 

If specified in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the Subsidiary Guarantors will guarantee the Debt Securities of a series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the following provisions will apply to the Subsidiary Guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Subject to the limitations described below and in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the Subsidiary Guarantors will, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the prompt payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all our payment obligations under the Indentures and the Debt Securities of a series, whether for principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by a Subsidiary Guarantor being herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the applicable Trustee in enforcing any rights under a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor (Section 1302).

 

In the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt. No payment will be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee during any period in which payments by us on the Subordinated Debt Securities are suspended by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture (Article Fourteen of the Subordinated Indenture).

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited in amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering such Subsidiary Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally (Section 1306).

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and will:

 

(1) remain in full force and effect until either (a) payment in full of all the applicable Debt Securities (or such Debt Securities are otherwise satisfied and discharged in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture) or (b) released as described in the following paragraph;

 

(2) be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(3) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the applicable Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

 

In the event that a Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary, either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance occurs with respect to the series or all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor is sold, including by way of sale, merger, consolidation or otherwise, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and discharged of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, and no other person acquiring or owning

the assets or Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be required to enter into a Subsidiary Guarantee (Section 1304). In addition, the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material may specify additional circumstances under which a Subsidiary Guarantor can be released from its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Conversion Rights

 

The Debt Securities may be converted into other securities of our company, if at all, according to the terms and conditions of an applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Such terms will include the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such series of Debt Securities or at the option of our company, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such series of Debt Securities.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer

 

The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof (Section 302).

 

At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of each series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount (Section 305).

 

Subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for such purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in that connection. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Security Registrar and any other transfer agent initially designated by us for any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material (Section 305). We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of each series (Section 1002).

 

If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, we will not be required to (1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (2) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part (Section 305).

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, payment of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest (Section 307).

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time, except

that at our option payment of any interest on Debt Securities in certificated form may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Senior Debt Securities of each series, and the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as the sole Paying Agent for payment with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by us for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. We may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series (Section 1002).

 

All money paid by us to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to us for payment (Section 1003).

 

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

 

We may not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, any Person (a “successor Person”), and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:

 

(1) the successor Person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes our obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indentures;

 

(2) immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing; and

 

(3) several other conditions, including any additional conditions with respect to any particular Debt Securities specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, are met (Section 801).

 

Events of Default

 

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series:

 

(1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

 

(2) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

 

(3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such deposit is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

 

(4) failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under “— Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

(5) failure to perform any of our other covenants in such Indenture (other than a covenant included in such Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the applicable Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, as provided in such Indenture;

 

(6) Indebtedness of ourself, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by its holders because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million;

 

(7) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $20.0 million is entered against us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such judgment and is not discharged, waived or stayed;

 

(8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(9) if any Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed such series, the Subsidiary Guarantee of any such Subsidiary Guarantor is held by a final non-appealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture) (Section 501).

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to Whiting Petroleum Corporation described in clause (8) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the applicable Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that is an Original Issue Discount Debt Security, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security as may be specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default with respect to Whiting Petroleum Corporation described in clause (8) above with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount Security, such specified amount) will automatically, and without any action by the applicable Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable Indenture (Section 502). For information as to waiver of defaults, see “— Modification and Waiver” below.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the Trustees in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to such Trustee reasonable indemnity (Section 603). Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustees, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series (Section 512).

No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

 

(1) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee under the applicable Indenture written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series;

 

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

 

(3) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer (Section 507).

 

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security or, if applicable, to convert such Debt Security (Section 508).

 

We will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults (Section 1004).

 

Modification and Waiver

 

Modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, and the applicable Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby:

 

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security;

 

(2) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;

 

(3) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

 

(4) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;

 

(5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due on or any conversion right with respect to any Debt Security;

 

(6) modify the subordination provisions in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, or modify any conversion provisions, in either case in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities;

 

(7) except as provided in the applicable Indenture, release the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(8) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture;

 

(9) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or