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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 24, 2005

Registration No. 333-            



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


Pogo Producing Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  1311
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  74-1659398
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
Houston, Texas 77046-0504
(713) 297-5000

(Address, including ZIP code, and telephone number, including area code, of the registrant's principal executive offices)
  Michael J. Killelea
Vice President, General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary
5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
Houston, Texas 77046-0504
(713) 297-5000

(Name, address, including ZIP code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



Copy to:
Stephen A. Massad
Baker Botts L.L.P.
910 Louisiana
One Shell Plaza
Houston, Texas 77002-4995
(713) 229-1475
Fax: (713)-229-7775

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
As soon as practicable following the effectiveness of this Registration Statement.


        If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.    o

        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered

  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit(1)

  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)

  Amount of
Registration
Fee(1)


6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015   $300,000,000   100%   $300,000,000   $35,310

(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f) of the Securities Act of 1933.


        The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.




The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting any offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 24, 2005

PROSPECTUS

$300,000,000

LOGO

Pogo Producing Company

Offer to Exchange
registered
6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
for all outstanding
6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

The Exchange Notes:

The exchange offer:


You should note that:



        Please consider carefully the risk factors beginning on page 15 of this prospectus before participating in the exchange offer.


        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                        , 2005.


        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION   i
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS   ii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY   1
RISK FACTORS   15
PRIVATE PLACEMENT   26
USE OF PROCEEDS   26
CAPITALIZATION   27
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS   28
THE EXCHANGE OFFER   30
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES   41
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS   95
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION   100
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ON OUTSTANDING NOTES   102
LEGAL MATTERS   102
EXPERTS   102
INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS   102

        Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes pursuant to this exchange offer in exchange for securities acquired for its own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new securities. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by such a broker-dealer in connection with resales of such new securities. We have agreed that, starting on the date of the completion of the exchange offer to which this prospectus relates for up to 180 days following completion of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution." The letter of transmittal attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.

        Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and on our website at http://www.pogoproducing.com. However, the information on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus. Reports and other information concerning us can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "PPP."

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        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the Notes. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and these securities.

        The information included in the documents described below is incorporated by reference and is considered to be a part of this prospectus. The most recent information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes older information. We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus (excluding any information that was furnished to (and not filed with) the SEC) the following documents (File No. 001-07792):

        Until the termination of the exchange offer described in this prospectus, we will also incorporate by reference all documents that we may file in the future under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, excluding any information therein that was furnished to (and not filed with) the SEC. In addition, all documents filed by us pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

        We will provide you without charge a copy of any and all documents that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except that exhibits to such documents will not be provided unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests for copies of any such document should be directed to:

Pogo Producing Company
5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
Houston, Texas 77046
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone number is (713) 297-5000

        To obtain timely delivery of any of our documents, you must make your request to us no later than                        , 2005. Unless sooner terminated, the exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                        , 2005. The exchange offer can be extended by us in our sole discretion, but we currently do not intend to extend the expiration date. Please read "The Exchange Offer" for more detailed information.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        The statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements included or incorporated by reference herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify our use of forward-looking statements by the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements herein and therein regarding the timing of future events regarding our operations and our subsidiaries, and the statements regarding our anticipated future financial position and cash

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requirements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. We disclose the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations in cautionary statements included in this prospectus and in other filings by us with the SEC. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth below and other factors set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. These factors include:

        Many of those factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. We caution you against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements or present or prior earnings levels.

        All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us and persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to participate in this exchange offer. We encourage you to read this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety before participating in the exchange offer, including the information set forth under the heading "Risk Factors." Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, when we use the terms "Pogo," "we," "us," or "our," we are referring to Pogo Producing Company and its subsidiaries.


Pogo Producing Company

        We explore for, develop and produce oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, we own interests in 93 federal and state Gulf of Mexico lease blocks offshore from Louisiana and Texas. We also own approximately 705,000 gross leasehold acres in major oil and gas provinces in the United States, approximately 1,043,000 acres in New Zealand and approximately 608,000 gross acres in the Gulf of Thailand, the sale of which is pending. Our 2004 year-end worldwide estimated proved reserves totaled 116,383 MBbls of liquid hydrocarbons, including crude oil, condensate and plant products, and 1,079,670 MMcf of natural gas, or a combined 1.778 Tcfe. For the year ended December 31, 2004, and the quarter ended March 31, 2005, our total revenues were $1.3 billion and $368.8 million, and net income was $261.8 million and $59.2 million, respectively.

        During 2004, we grew our hydrocarbon asset base and achieved full reserves replacement of our worldwide production for the thirteenth consecutive year. In 2004, our average daily production of liquid hydrocarbons was 51,357 Bbls, and average daily production of natural gas was 324 MMcf. For the quarter ended March 31, 2005, our average daily production of liquid hydrocarbons was 48,767 Bbls, and average daily production of natural gas was 335 MMcf. We drilled 363 gross wells during 2004, successfully completing 93%, or 337, of those wells. During the first quarter of 2005, we drilled 88 gross wells with 80 successfully completed, a 91% success rate.

Domestic Operations

        Offshore.    We maintain a significant presence in the Gulf of Mexico, where approximately 18% of our proved reserves were located as of December 31, 2004. During 2004, approximately 18% of our natural gas production and 44% of our oil and condensate production came from our domestic offshore properties in the Gulf of Mexico, contributing approximately 33% of our consolidated oil and gas revenues. We participated in drilling 12 wells in this region during 2004, ten, or 83% of which were successfully completed. At December 31, 2004, we held varying interests in 175 producing oil and natural gas wells in the region, as well as interests in 80 federal leases and 13 state leases offshore from Louisiana and Texas. We intend to continue an active lease evaluation program in the Gulf of Mexico in order to identify exploration and exploitation opportunities.

        Onshore.    Our onshore domestic operations are concentrated in the Permian Basin area in New Mexico and West Texas, the Panhandle of Texas, the San Juan Basin in New Mexico and the Wind River Basin in Wyoming, which we collectively refer to as our "Western U.S. region," as well as in the Texas and Louisiana gulf coasts, which we refer to as our "Gulf Coast region." Domestic onshore reserves as of December 31, 2004 accounted for approximately 63% of our total proved reserves, with the Gulf Coast region and the Western U.S. region contributing approximately 19% and 44%, respectively, of our total proved reserves. During 2004, approximately 58% of our natural gas production and 21% of our oil and condensate production was from our domestic onshore properties, contributing approximately 41% of our consolidated oil and gas revenues.

        In our Western U.S. region, we have actively explored in West Texas and New Mexico for more than 25 years and, during this period, participated in the discovery or development of over 31 oil and natural gas fields. In 2004, we participated in the drilling of 159 wells in these areas, 97% of which were successfully completed. We believe that, during the past decade, we have been one of the more

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active companies drilling for oil and natural gas in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. During 2005, we plan to drill approximately 84 wells in various known fields and exploratory prospects in the Permian Basin, Texas Panhandle and San Juan Basin and approximately 57 wells in the Wind River Basin.

        In the Gulf Coast region we are actively exploring for, acquiring and developing oil and natural gas reserves in the coastal onshore areas of Louisiana and Texas. During 2004, we participated in drilling 54 wells in this region, 91% of which were successfully completed. In 2005 we intend to actively explore the Wilcox formation on our South Texas leasehold, where we have been developing gas reserves and drilled over 40 wells in 2004. We are also actively exploring for new reserves along the upper Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana.

International Operations

        We have conducted international exploration activities since the late 1970s in numerous oil and natural gas areas throughout the world and currently hold licenses in New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand. Our international explorationists continue to evaluate other opportunities that are consistent with our international exploration strategy and expertise. The sale of our interests in our Thailand concession is pending, and we recently sold a license to explore for oil and gas in a 778,000 acre area in Hungary. See "—Recent Developments" below.

        In 2004, we were granted three petroleum exploration licenses over approximately 1,043,000 acres offshore of New Zealand. We are acquiring and reprocessing 3-D and 2-D seismic data in this region with a goal of committing to drill multiple exploration wells as early as the first half of 2006.

        Our Thailand concession consists of approximately 608,000 gross acres in the central portions of the Gulf of Thailand. We own, directly or indirectly, a 46.34% working interest in the entire Thailand concession. As of December 31, 2004, our proved reserves located in Thailand accounted for approximately 19% of our total proved reserves. During 2004, approximately 25% of our natural gas production and 35% of our oil and condensate production came from our operations in the Thailand concession, contributing approximately 26% of our consolidated oil and gas revenues. We drilled 76 productive development wells in the Thailand concession in 2004.

Recent Developments

        Thailand and Hungary Dispositions.    During the first quarter of 2005, we announced that we were considering the sale or other disposition of our operations in Thailand and Hungary. Certain transactions involving international properties may be eligible for favorable tax treatment under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 if completed in 2005.

        On June 17, 2005, we entered into a stock purchase agreement to sell all of our 46.34% interest in the Thailand concession to Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited for approximately $820.0 million. The other owners of the Thailand concession have preferential purchase rights, exercisable on or before July 19, 2005, under which they may cause us to sell our interests in the Thailand concession to them on the same terms provided in the stock purchase agreement. The sale is subject to other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2005. The majority owner of PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited is PTT Public Company Limited, the company to which all of the natural gas production from the Thailand concession is committed and which maintains a monopoly over gas transmission and distribution in Thailand.

        On June 15, 2005, we sold Pogo Hungary, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary that owns a license to explore for oil and gas in a 778,000 acre area in central and south central Hungary, to Toreador Resources Corporation for approximately $9.0 million.

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        Capital Budget.    We have established a $345 million exploration and development budget (excluding property acquisitions) for 2005. In establishing our budget, we have anticipated that we will drill approximately 226 wells during 2005. During the first quarter of 2005, we spent $146 million on exploratory and development activities and, as of March 31, 2005, we had spent 42% of our 2005 capital budget.

        Stock Repurchase.    During the first quarter of 2005, we announced a plan to repurchase, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, not less than $275 million nor more than $375 million of our common stock, representing between 9% and 12% of our outstanding shares based on recent stock prices. As of May 19, 2005, we had repurchased approximately 4.5 million shares for approximately $208 million.

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The Exchange Offer

        On March 29, 2005, we completed a private offering of $300 million principal amount of 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, which we refer to as the "Outstanding Notes." We sold the Outstanding Notes in transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Accordingly, the Outstanding Notes are subject to transfer restrictions. In general, you may not offer or sell the Outstanding Notes unless either they are registered under the Securities Act or the offer or sale is exempt from or not subject to registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

        In connection with the sale of the Outstanding Notes, we entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement with the initial purchasers of the Outstanding Notes. We agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part declared effective by the SEC within 180 days after the issue date of the Outstanding Notes and to commence and complete the exchange offer no later than 45 days after the registration statement becomes effective. In the exchange offer, you are entitled to exchange your Outstanding Notes for notes registered under the Securities Act with substantially identical terms, except that the existing transfer restrictions will be removed, which we refer to as the "Exchange Notes." You should read the discussion under the headings "—Terms of the Exchange Notes" and "Description of the Exchange Notes" for further information about the Exchange Notes. We refer to the Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes (separately or collectively as the context indicates) as the "Notes."

        We have summarized the terms of the exchange offer below. You should read the discussion under the heading "The Exchange Offer" for further information about the exchange offer and resale of the Exchange Notes. If you fail to exchange your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer, the existing transfer restrictions will remain in effect and the market value of your Outstanding Notes likely will be adversely affected because of a smaller float and reduced liquidity.

Expiration Date   Unless sooner terminated, the exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                        , 2005 or such later date and time to which we extend it.

Withdrawal of Tenders

 

You may withdraw your tender of Outstanding Notes at any time prior to the expiration date. We will return to you, without charge, promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer any Outstanding Notes that you tendered but that were not accepted for exchange.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

 

We will not be required to accept Outstanding Notes for exchange if, in our reasonable judgment, the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of Outstanding Notes, would:

 

 


 

violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; or

 

 


 

be impaired by any action or proceeding that has been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer.

 

 

The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes being tendered.
         

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Please read "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" for more information about the conditions to the exchange offer.

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes

 

If you wish to participate in the exchange offer, you must complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal that we are providing with this prospectus and mail or deliver the letter of transmittal, together with the Outstanding Notes, to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date. If your Outstanding Notes are held through The Depository Trust Company (DTC), you may effect delivery of the Outstanding Notes by book-entry transfer.

 

 

In the alternative, if your Outstanding Notes are held through DTC, you may participate in the exchange offer through DTC's automated tender offer program. If you tender under this program, you will agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal as though you had signed it.

 

 

By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

 

 


 

any Exchange Notes that you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of your business;

 

 


 

you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Outstanding Notes or the Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

 


 

you are not our "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or, if you are our affiliate, you will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable;

 

 


 

if you are not a broker-dealer, you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Exchange Notes;

 

 


 

if you are a broker-dealer, you will receive Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding Notes that you acquired for your own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes;

 

 


 

if you are a broker-dealer, you did not purchase the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes from us; and

 

 


 

you are not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully and completely make the foregoing representations.
         

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Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners

 

If you own a beneficial interest in Outstanding Notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender the Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, please contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct it to tender on your behalf and to comply with our instructions described in this prospectus.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

You must tender your Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in "The Exchange Offer—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" if any of the following apply:

 

 


 

you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes but they are not immediately available;

 

 


 

you cannot deliver your Outstanding Notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date; or

 

 


 

you cannot comply with the applicable procedures under DTC's automated tender offer program prior to the expiration date.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange Your Outstanding Notes

 

Subject only to limited exceptions applicable to persons to whom the exchange offer is not available, if you do not exchange your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you will no longer be entitled to registration rights. You will not be able to offer or sell the Outstanding Notes unless they are later registered, sold pursuant to an exemption from registration or sold in a transaction not subject to the Securities Act or state securities laws. Other than in connection with the exchange offer or as specified in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we are not obligated to, nor do we currently anticipate that we will, register the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act. See "The Exchange Offer—Consequences of Failure to Exchange."

United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

We believe that the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer should not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please read "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."

Use of Proceeds

 

We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of Exchange Notes in the exchange offer.
         

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Plan of Distribution

 

All broker-dealers who receive Exchange Notes in the exchange offer have a prospectus delivery obligation. Based on SEC no-action letters, broker-dealers who acquired the Outstanding Notes as a result of market-making or other trading activities may use this exchange offer prospectus, as supplemented or amended, in connection with the resales of the Exchange Notes. We have agreed to make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer delivering a prospectus as required by law in connection with the resales of the Exchange Notes for up to 180 days following the completion of the exchange offer.

 

 

Broker-dealers who acquired the Outstanding Notes from us may not rely on SEC staff interpretations in no-action letters and instead must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including being named as selling noteholders, in order to resell the Outstanding Notes or the Exchange Notes.

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The Exchange Agent

        We have appointed The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as exchange agent for the exchange offer. Please direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for the notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent. If you are not tendering under DTC's automated tender offer program, you should send the letter of transmittal and any other required documents to the exchange agent as follows:

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.

(212) 815-3687

By Overnight Delivery, Courier or Mail:
(overnight delivery or courier recommended;
if by mail, registered or certified mail recommended)

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street—7 East
New York, New York 10286
Attn: David Mauer

Registered or Certified Mail:

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street—7 East
New York, New York 10286
Attn: David Mauer

By Facsimile Transmission (eligible institutions only):

(212) 298-1915

Confirm by Telephone:

(212) 815-3687

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Terms of the Exchange Notes

        The Exchange Notes will be freely tradable and otherwise substantially identical to the Outstanding Notes. The Exchange Notes will not have registration rights or provisions for additional interest. The Exchange Notes will evidence the same debt as the Outstanding Notes, and the Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes will be governed by the same indenture. The Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes will vote together as a single class under the indenture.

Issuer   Pogo Producing Company.

Exchange Notes Offered

 

$300 million principal amount of registered 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015.

Interest Payment Dates

 

March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2005.

Maturity Date

 

March 15, 2015.

Ranking and Subordination

 

The Exchange Notes will be our unsecured senior subordinated obligations and will rank:

 

 


 

equally in right of payment with our outstanding 81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 and any of our future senior subordinated debt that does not expressly provide that it is subordinated to the Notes;

 

 


 

senior in right of payment to any of our future debt that expressly provides that it is subordinated to the Notes;

 

 


 

subordinated in right of payment to any of our existing and future senior debt, and structurally subordinated to all of our future secured debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt; and

 

 


 

structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables and lease obligations) of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes.

Possible Subsidiary Guarantees

 

None of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the Notes. If our existing or future domestic restricted subsidiaries guarantee any of our other indebtedness, however, they will be required by the indenture governing the Notes to jointly and severally guarantee the Notes on a senior subordinated basis. We do not intend to cause any subsidiary to take any action that would require it to guarantee the Notes.

Sinking Fund

 

None.

Optional Redemption

 

At any time prior to March 15, 2008, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes, using the net proceeds of specified public equity offerings, at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
         

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Prior to March 15, 2010, we are entitled to redeem the Notes as a whole or in part at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The term "Applicable Premium" is defined under "Description of the Exchange Notes—Certain Definitions."

 

 

On or after March 15, 2010, we may redeem all or a portion of the Notes at the redemption prices listed in "Description of the Exchange Notes—Optional Redemption," plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

Change of Control

 

If we experience specific kinds of change of control, we would be required to offer to purchase each holder's Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

Certain Covenants

 

Covenants contained in the indenture that governs the Notes, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, among other things, to:

 

 


 

incur additional indebtedness;

 

 


 

pay dividends or make other distributions on stock, repurchase stock or redeem subordinated obligations;

 

 


 

make investments;

 

 


 

create liens on assets;

 

 


 

sell assets;

 

 


 

sell capital stock of our subsidiaries;

 

 


 

enter into agreements that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us or our restricted subsidiaries;

 

 


 

merge or consolidate; and

 

 


 

enter into transactions with affiliates.

 

 

All of these covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications that are described under "Description of the Exchange Notes."

 

 

If the Notes receive an investment grade rating from either Standard & Poor's Rating Services or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing, many of these covenants will be terminated.
         

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Exchange Offer; Registration Rights

 

If we fail to complete the exchange offer as required by the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we will be obligated to pay additional interest to holders of the Outstanding Notes. See "Description of the Exchange Notes—Registration Rights; Special Interest" for more information regarding your rights as a holder of Outstanding Notes.

Absence of a Market for the Notes

 

There is no existing trading market for the Notes, and there can be no assurance regarding:

 

 


 

any future development or liquidity of a trading market for the Notes;

 

 


 

your ability to sell your Notes at all; or

 

 


 

the price at which you may be able to sell your Notes.

 

 

Further trading prices of the Notes will depend on many factors, including:

 

 


 

prevailing interest rates;

 

 


 

our operating results and financial condition; and

 

 


 

the market for similar securities.

 

 

We do not intend to apply for the Notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for any quotation system to quote them.

11



Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data

        The summary historical consolidated financial data set forth below is derived from our consolidated financial statements. You should read this information in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which we incorporate herein by reference.

 
  For the Three Months
Ended March 31,

  For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2005
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  (Expressed in thousands)

 
Income Statement Data:                                
Revenues:                                
  Crude oil and condensate   $ 188,486   $ 166,220   $ 680,492   $ 651,334   $ 431,769  
  Natural gas     156,938     130,665     584,341     475,834     294,206  
  Natural gas liquids     10,276     10,442     43,392     32,376     24,426  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Oil and gas revenues     355,700     307,327     1,308,225     1,159,544     750,401  
  Other     13,090     555     14,754     2,452     4,453  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total     368,790     307,882     1,322,979     1,161,996     754,854  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Costs and Expenses:                                
  Lease operating     40,249     34,875     144,473     123,098     112,663  
  General and administrative     20,727     17,232     69,775     61,291     49,490  
  Exploration     11,285     8,471     23,063     7,547     4,783  
  Dry hole and impairment     47,403     11,623     106,417     35,102     26,999  
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization     100,645     87,339     365,089     325,820     287,809  
  Production and other taxes     21,799     9,538     67,984     35,485     20,058  
  Transportation and other     6,296     5,125     21,699     25,924     12,879  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total     248,404     174,203     798,500     614,267     514,681  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income     120,386     133,679     524,479     547,729     240,173  
Interest:                                
  Charges     (10,211 )   (9,444 )   (29,333 )   (46,360 )   (57,450 )
  Income     1,210     452     2,526     1,852     1,760  
  Capitalized     2,197     4,548     14,216     16,531     24,033  
Loss on Debt Extinguishment             (13,759 )   (5,893 )    
Minority Interest—Dividends and costs associated with mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred securities of a subsidiary trust                     (4,140 )
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss)     179     (44 )   (1,726 )   1,370     435  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Taxes and Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle     113,761     129,191     496,403     515,229     204,811  
Income Tax Expense     (54,525 )   (57,551 )   (234,649 )   (220,122 )   (97,780 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle     59,236     71,640     261,754     295,107     107,031  
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle                 (4,166 )(a)    
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income   $ 59,236   $ 71,640   $ 261,754   $ 290,941   $ 107,031  
   
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143 ("SFAS 143"), "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations". This new accounting standard required a change in the accounting for asset retirement obligations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Management's

12


 
  As of or for the Three
Months Ended March 31,

  As of or for the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2005
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2002
 
 
  (Expressed in thousands)

 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:                                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 231,060   $ 93,731   $ 86,456   $ 104,474   $ 102,449  
  Current investments         94,439     135,000     74,280     32,000  
  Long-term debt     777,305     391,347     755,000     487,261     722,903  
  Shareholders' equity     1,674,455     1,525,157     1,727,895     1,453,653     1,077,784  
  Total assets     3,516,178     2,823,971     3,481,109     2,758,651     2,491,593  
Other Financial Data:                                
Net cash provided by (used in):                                
  Operating activities   $ 263,678   $ 221,069   $ 738,715   $ 744,559   $ 466,479  
  Investing activities     (55,939 )   (134,424 )   (961,726 )   (566,457 )   (396,251 )
  Financing activities     (62,933 )   (97,367 )   202,804     (176,816 )   (61,923 )


Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

        The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown.

 
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,

  Year Ended December 31,
 
 
  2005
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)   10.2 x 11.9 x 14.0 x 10.3 x 3.7 x 2.6 x 3.7 x

(1)
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings are defined as income before income taxes plus fixed charges excluding capitalized interest and minority interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense.

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Selected Production (Sales) Data

        The following table sets forth net daily average production and weighted average price data for the periods indicated.

 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,

  Year Ended December 31,
 
  2005
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2002
Natural gas (Mcf per day)     335,073     299,633     324,000     297,000     279,000
  Price (per Mcf)   $ 5.20   $ 4.79   $ 4.93   $ 4.39   $ 2.89
Crude oil and condensate (Bbls per day)     44,768     49,733     47,137     62,121     47,360
  Price (per Bbl)   $ 45.15   $ 35.13   $ 39.23   $ 29.10   $ 24.89
Natural gas liquids (Bbls per day)     3,999     4,512     4,220     4,109     4,480
  Price (per Bbl)   $ 28.55   $ 25.43   $ 28.09   $ 21.59   $ 14.94


Summary of Reserve Information

        The following table sets forth information as to our net proved and proved developed reserves as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, and the present value as of such dates (based on an annual discount rate of 10%) of the estimated future net revenues from the production and sale of those reserves, as set forth in reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P. and Miller and Lents, Ltd., our independent petroleum engineers, in accordance with criteria prescribed by the SEC. The summary reports of Ryder Scott and Miller and Lents on our reserves are set forth as exhibits to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we incorporate herein by reference.

 
  As of December 31,
 
  2004
  2003
  2002
Total Proved Reserves:                  
  Oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (MBbls)     116,383     114,870     118,179
  Natural gas (MMcf)     1,079,670     1,012,323     873,510
  Present value of estimated future net revenues, before income taxes (in thousands)   $ 4,571,922   $ 3,690,001   $ 3,098,356
Total Proved Developed Reserves:                  
  Oil, condensate and natural gas liquids (MBbls)     92,574     87,269     97,873
  Natural gas (MMcf)     852,848     780,774     687,556
  Present value of estimated future net revenues, before income taxes (in thousands)   $ 3,752,401   $ 2,914,006   $ 2,662,000

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RISK FACTORS

        In considering whether to participate in the exchange offer, you should consider carefully all of the information that we have included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. In particular, you should consider carefully the risk factors described below.

Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer

If you fail to exchange your Outstanding Notes, the existing transfer restrictions will remain in effect and the market value of your Outstanding Notes may be adversely affected because they may be more difficult to sell.

        If you fail to exchange your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes under the exchange offer, then you will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions on the Outstanding Notes. In general, the Outstanding Notes may not be offered or sold unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except in connection with this exchange offer or as required by the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the Outstanding Notes.

        The tender of Outstanding Notes under the exchange offer will reduce the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes outstanding. Due to the corresponding reduction in liquidity, this may have an adverse effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of any Outstanding Notes that you continue to hold following completion of the exchange offer.

Risks Related to Our Business

Natural gas and oil prices fluctuate widely, and low prices could have a material adverse impact on our business.

        Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on prevailing prices for natural gas and oil. Oil and natural gas market prices have historically been seasonal, cyclical and volatile. The average prices that we currently receive for our production are significantly higher than their historic average. A future drop in oil and natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and profitability. A sustained period of low prices could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition and could also result in a reduction in funds available under our credit facility and associated prepayments. Lower prices may also reduce the amount of natural gas and oil that we can economically produce.

        Among the factors that can cause oil and natural gas price fluctuation are:

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The natural gas and oil business involves many operating risks that can cause substantial losses or hinder marketing efforts.

        Numerous risks affect our drilling activities, including the risk of drilling non-productive wells or dry holes. The cost of drilling, completing and operating wells and of installing production facilities and pipelines is often uncertain. Also, our drilling operations could diminish or cease because of any of the following:


        Offshore operations are also subject to a variety of operating risks peculiar to the marine environment, such as capsizing, collisions and damage or loss from hurricanes or other adverse weather conditions. These conditions can cause substantial damage to facilities and interrupt production. As a result, we could incur substantial liabilities that could reduce or eliminate the funds available for exploration, development or leasehold acquisitions, or result in loss of equipment and properties.

        Moreover, effective marketing of our natural gas production depends on a number of factors, such as the following:

        The marketing of oil and natural gas production similarly depends on the availability of pipelines and other transportation, processing and refining facilities, and the existence of adequate markets. As a result, even if hydrocarbons are discovered in commercial quantities, a substantial period of time may elapse before commercial production commences. If pipeline facilities in an area are insufficient, we may have to wait for the construction or expansion of pipeline capacity before we can market production from that area.

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We may not be able to obtain sufficient drilling equipment and experienced personnel to conduct our operations.

        In periods of increased drilling activity resulting from high commodity prices, demand exceeds availability for drilling rigs, drilling vessels, supply boats and personnel experienced in the oil and gas industry in general, and the offshore oil and gas industry in particular. For example, we are currently experiencing some difficulty in obtaining additional drilling rigs for our Thailand operations due to lack of suitable rigs in the region. This may lead to difficulty and delays in consistently obtaining services and equipment from vendors, obtaining drilling rigs and other equipment at favorable rates, and scheduling equipment fabrication at factories and fabrication yards. This, in turn, may lead to projects being delayed or experiencing increased costs.

Our foreign operations subject us to additional risks.

        Our ownership and operations in New Zealand, Thailand and any other foreign areas where we do business are subject to the various risks inherent in foreign operations. These risks may include the following:

United States laws and policies on foreign trade, taxation and investment may also adversely affect our international operations. In addition, if a dispute arises from foreign operations, foreign courts may have exclusive jurisdiction over the dispute, or we may not be able to subject foreign persons to the jurisdiction of United States courts.

        The sale of our Thailand operations is pending. See "Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments" for additional information.

Our acquisition activities may not be successful.

        As part of our growth strategy, we may make additional acquisitions of businesses and properties. However, suitable acquisition candidates may not 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. Even if future acquisitions are completed, the following are some of the risks associated with acquisitions:

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We cannot control the activities on properties we do not operate; operators of those properties may act in ways that are not in our best interests.

        Other companies operate a significant percentage of the oil and natural gas properties in which we have an interest. As a result, we have limited influence over operations on some of those properties or their associated costs. Our limited influence on non-operated properties could result in the following:

Any of these events could significantly affect our anticipated exploration and development activities and the economic value of those properties to us.

Maintaining reserves and revenues in the future depends on successful exploration and development activities and/or acquisitions.

        We must continually explore for and develop or acquire new oil and natural gas reserves to replace those produced and sold. Our hydrocarbon reserves and revenues will decline if we are not successful in our drilling, exploration or acquisition activities. Although we have historically maintained our reserves base primarily through successful exploration and development operations, we cannot assure you that our future efforts will be similarly successful.

Our offshore and onshore operations are subject to casualty risks against which we cannot fully insure.

        Our operations are subject to inherent casualty risks such as blowouts, fires, explosions and marine hazards. If any such event occurred, we could be subject to substantial financial losses due to personal injury, property damage, environmental discharge, or suspension of operations. The impact on us of one of these events could be significant. Although we purchase insurance at levels we believe to be customary for a company of our size in our industry, we are not fully insured against all risks incident to our business. For some risks, we may not obtain insurance if we believe 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, it could adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

We have substantial capital requirements.

        We require substantial capital to replace our reserves and generate sufficient cash flow to meet our financial obligations. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations or raise funds externally in the amounts and at the times needed, we may not be able to replace our reserves or meet our financial obligations. Our ongoing capital requirements consist primarily of the following items:

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Our 2005 capital and exploration budget as established by our board of directors is currently $345 million (excluding property acquisitions).

        We plan to finance anticipated ongoing expenses and capital requirements with funds generated from the following sources:

        We believe the funds provided by these sources will be sufficient to meet the remainder of our 2005 cash requirements. However, the uncertainties and risks associated with future performance and revenues, as described in these Risk Factors, will ultimately determine our liquidity and ability to meet our anticipated capital requirements.

We may not be able to profitably market and sell all of the production from our concession in Thailand.

        We may not be able to successfully and profitably process, transport and market all the oil and natural gas we find and produce on our concession in the Gulf of Thailand. Currently, all of the natural gas production from the Thailand concession is committed under a gas sales agreement to PTT Public Company Limited, which maintains a monopoly over gas transmission and distribution in Thailand. PTT was formed in 2001 in connection with the partial privatization of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, but the contractual obligations of PTT are not backed by the full faith and credit of the Thai government.

        The gas sales agreement with PTT contains both minimum quantities and limits on the amount of gas to be delivered to PTT. Failure to deliver the minimum quantities under the agreement subjects us to a decrease in the sales price for gas sold of up to 25% of the then-current sales price. In 2004, due to facilities constraints and process-related issues, we were unable to meet certain thresholds related to supplemental gas under the agreement, resulting in a discount of approximately $0.5 million on delivered gas for the year.

        The prices that we receive for crude oil sales from our Thailand concession are influenced by a number of factors including, among others, tanker availability, worldwide crude oil demand, size of the lifting and the perceived quality of crude oil produced. These factors and others have led to significant fluctuations in the price that we receive for our Thai crude oil production. During 2004, the price that we received for crude oil production from our Thailand concession ranged between a $1.50 per Bbl premium and a $1.65 per Bbl discount to the Malaysian Tapis Blend benchmark price. In addition, because much of the oil produced from the Thailand concession is associated with natural gas, limitations on our ability to produce natural gas could limit crude oil production as well.

        The sale of our Thailand operations is pending. See "Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments" for additional information.

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Economic conditions in Southeast Asia can hurt our cash flow.

        A significant portion of our oil and natural gas operations are conducted in Southeast Asia, and a significant portion of our natural gas and liquid hydrocarbon production is sold there. As with most emerging market economies, the Thai economy is particularly sensitive to worldwide economic trends and to the effect of the recent tsunami disaster. The economic health of the Thai economy and its effect on the volatility of the Thai Baht, Thailand's currency, against the dollar will continue to have a material impact on our operations in Thailand, together with the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production there.

You should not place undue reliance on our reserve data because they are estimates.

        No one can measure underground accumulations of oil and natural gas in an exact way. Projecting future production rates and the timing and amount of development expenditures is also an uncertain process. Accuracy of reserve estimates depends on the quality of available data and on economic, engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. As a result, our reserve estimates often differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas we ultimately recover. To estimate economically recoverable reserves, we make various assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, and operating and development costs that may prove incorrect. Any significant variance from those assumptions could greatly affect our estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net revenues.

        You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows from our proved reserves included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is the current value of our estimated natural gas and oil reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we 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 net present value estimate, and future net present value estimates using then current prices and costs may be significantly less than the current estimate.

We face significant competition, and we are smaller than many of our competitors.

        The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. We compete with major and independent oil and natural gas companies for property acquisitions. We also compete for the equipment and labor required to operate and develop properties. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. As a result, those competitors may be better able to withstand sustained periods of unsuccessful drilling. In addition, larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of any changes in applicable laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. These competitors may be able to pay more for exploratory prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than we can. Our ability to explore for oil and natural gas prospects and to acquire additional properties in the future will depend on our ability to conduct operations and to evaluate and select suitable properties and transactions in this highly competitive environment. Moreover, the oil and natural gas industry itself competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel needs of industrial, commercial and other consumers. Increased competition causing oversupply or depressed prices could greatly affect our operational revenues.

Our competitors may use superior technology.

        Our industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies. As our competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, our competitors may have greater

20



financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. One or more of the technologies that we currently use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete, and we may be adversely affected.

We are subject to legal limitations that may adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.

        We and our subsidiaries are subject to extensive foreign and domestic laws and regulations on taxation, exploration and development, and environmental and safety matters in countries where we own or operate properties. These laws and regulations are under constant review for amendment or expansion, and we could be forced to expend significant resources to comply with new laws or regulations or changes to existing requirements. Many laws and regulations require drilling permits and govern the spacing of wells, the prevention of waste, rates of production and other matters. These statutes and regulations, and any others that are passed by the jurisdictions where we have production could limit the total number of wells drilled or the total allowable production from successful wells, which could limit revenues. Noncompliance with these statutes and regulations could also result in substantial penalties or in the suspension or termination of our operations.

We are subject to various environmental liabilities.

        We could incur liability to governments or third parties for any unlawful discharge of oil, natural gas or other pollutants into the air, soil or water, including responsibility for remedial costs. We could potentially discharge oil or natural gas into the environment in any of the following ways:

        Environmental discharges may move through soil to water supplies or adjoining properties, giving rise to additional liabilities. Some laws and regulations could impose liability for failure to notify the proper authorities of a discharge and other failures to comply with those laws. Environmental laws may also affect our costs to acquire properties. We do not believe that our environmental risks are materially different from those of comparable companies in the oil and gas industry. However, we cannot assure you that environmental laws will not, in the future, result in decreased production, substantially increased operational costs or other adverse effects to our combined operations and financial condition. Pollution and similar environmental risks generally are not fully insurable.

Derivative instruments expose us to risks of financial loss in a variety of circumstances.

        We use derivative instruments in an effort to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas. Our derivative instruments expose us to risks of financial loss in a variety of circumstances, including when:

        Derivative instruments may limit our ability to realize increased revenue from increases in the prices for oil and natural gas.

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        We follow the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which generally requires us to record each hedging transaction as an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Each quarter we must record changes in the fair value of our hedges, which could result in significant fluctuations in net income and stockholders' equity from period to period.

Risks Relating to the Notes

        The risks described in this "Risks Relating to the Notes" that apply to the Exchange Notes also apply to any Outstanding Notes not tendered for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer.

We could incur substantial additional debt, which could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and business prospects and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the Notes.

        After giving effect to the sale of the Outstanding Notes and the use of proceeds, we had total debt of $777 million and approximately $510 million of additional borrowing capacity under our $750 million credit facility (subject to specific requirements, including compliance with financial covenants) as of March 31, 2005. Together with our subsidiaries, we may incur substantially more debt in the future, provided we comply with requirements in our credit facility, the indenture governing our outstanding 81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 and the indenture governing the Notes. Our debt level could have several important consequences to you, including:

These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and ability to satisfy our obligations under the Notes.

Your right to receive payments on the Notes may be adversely affected by the rights of our senior creditors.

        The Notes are unsecured and


Except to the extent, if any, that any of our future debt is expressly stated to be on parity with or junior to the Notes, all of our future debt and all future debt or other liabilities, including guarantees, trade payables and lease obligations, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes will be senior to the Notes. As a result, upon any distribution to our creditors in a bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or similar proceeding relating to us and our subsidiaries, the holders of our senior debt and the holders of the debt and other liabilities, including guarantees, trade payables and lease

22


obligations, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes will be entitled to be paid in full in cash before any payment may be made on the Notes. None of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the Notes. Please read "Description of the Exchange Notes—Possible Subsidiary Guarantees" and "—Ranking and Subordination."

        If we fail to pay our specified senior debt when due, whether upon maturity or as a result of acceleration or otherwise, we could be prohibited from making any payments on the Notes until the default is cured or all of the senior debt is paid in full. In addition, payments on the Notes may be blocked for periods, each up to 179 days, in the event of other defaults relating to specified senior debt.

        In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or similar proceeding, holders of the Notes will participate ratably with general unsecured creditors and ratably with all other holders of senior subordinated debt, if any, in the assets remaining after we have paid all of the senior debt. However, because the indenture governing the Notes requires that amounts otherwise payable to holders of the Notes in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding be paid to holders of the senior debt prior to any payment on the Notes, holders of the Notes may receive less, ratably, that our other general unsecured creditors in any such proceeding. In any of these cases, we may not have sufficient funds to pay all of our creditors, including holders of the Notes.

There may be no public market for the Exchange Notes.

        The Exchange Notes will be new securities for which currently there is no trading market. We do not intend to apply for the Exchange Notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for any quotation system to quote them. The liquidity of any market for the Notes will depend on the number of holders of those Notes, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in those securities and other factors. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to:

        If such a market were to exist, the Notes could trade at prices that may be lower than the principal amount or purchase price, depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes and our financial performance. If an active market does not develop or is not maintained, the price and liquidity of the Notes may be adversely affected.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required by the indenture.

        Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the indenture governing the Notes, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes. We may not have sufficient funds available to us to make the required repurchase of Notes. In addition, our credit facility provides that the occurrence of any change of control, as defined in the agreement, constitutes an event of default, which could require that we repay all unpaid and outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility and may limit the funds available for us to make payments with respect to the Notes. Our failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute a default under the indenture governing the Notes which, in turn, could constitute a further event of default under our credit facility. In addition, the indenture governing our 81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 contains change of control provisions similar to the indenture governing the Notes. Consequently, an event triggering a change of control repurchase obligation under the Notes may also trigger a change of control repurchase obligation under the 2011 Notes.

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We are subject to restrictive debt covenants.

        Our credit facility contains covenants that are similar to but generally more restrictive to us than those contained in the indenture governing the Notes, and require us to maintain specified financial ratios. Our ability to meet those financial ratios can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those ratios. In addition, if our "borrowing base," which is generally a measurement of our oil and natural gas reserves used by our credit facility, were to fall below the amount borrowed under the agreement, we would be obligated to prepay outstanding obligations under the agreement to the extent of the shortfall. A breach of any of these covenants, ratios or restrictions could result in an event of default under our credit facility. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the agreement, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the lenders under our credit facility accelerate the payment of the indebtedness, we cannot assure you that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full that indebtedness and our other indebtedness, including the Notes.

        The indentures governing the Notes and our 2011 Notes also impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. The restrictions in our credit facility or in these indentures may adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations and capital needs and to pursue available business opportunities. Moreover, any new indebtedness we incur may impose financial restrictions and other covenants on us that may be more restrictive than the indenture governing the Notes.

If the Notes receive an investment grade rating, many of the covenants in the indenture governing the Notes will terminate, thereby reducing some of the protections for Noteholders in the indenture.

        If at any time the Notes receive investment grade ratings from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and no default or event of default with respect to the Notes exists, many of the covenants in the indenture governing the Notes applicable to us and our restricted subsidiaries, including, among others, the limitations on indebtedness and restricted payments, will terminate. Upon such termination, Noteholders will not have the protection of these covenants, and we will have greater flexibility under the indenture governing the Notes to incur indebtedness and make restricted payments.

Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require Noteholders to return payments received from guarantors.

        None of our subsidiaries have guaranteed the Notes, but if our existing or future domestic restricted subsidiaries guarantee any of our other indebtedness, they will be required under the indenture governing the Notes to jointly and severally guarantee the Notes on a senior subordinated basis. Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require creditors such as the Noteholders to return payments received from guarantors. Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee could be voided or claims in respect of a guarantee could be subordinated to all other debts of that guarantor if, for example, the guarantor, at the time it issued its guarantee:

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        The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if:

        To the extent a subsidiary's guarantee of the Notes is voided as a result of fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any other reason, the Noteholders would cease to have any claim in respect of that guarantee and would be creditors solely of ours.

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PRIVATE PLACEMENT

        On March 29, 2005, we completed a private offering of $300 million principal amount of 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 to the initial purchasers of the Outstanding Notes in transactions exempt from or not subject to registration under the Securities Act. The initial purchasers then offered and resold the Outstanding Notes to qualified institutional buyers and non-U.S. persons initially at 99.101% of the principal amount.

        We received net proceeds of approximately $294 million from the private placement. We used the net proceeds from that offering to reduce outstanding indebtedness under our $750 million credit facility.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Notes. In consideration for issuing the Exchange Notes, we will receive in exchange a like principal amount of Outstanding Notes. The Outstanding Notes surrendered in exchange for the Exchange Notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the Exchange Notes will not result in any change in our capitalization.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of Pogo and our subsidiaries at March 31, 2005, including the Outstanding Notes, which were issued on March 29, 2005. This table should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005, which we incorporate herein by reference.

 
  March 31, 2005
 
 
  (in thousands, except share amounts)

 
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 231,060  
   
 
Long-Term Debt:        
  Credit facility indebtedness   $ 240,000  
  LIBOR rate advances(a)     40,000  
  81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011     200,000  
  6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015     300,000  
  Unamortized discount on 2015 Notes     (2,695 )
   
 
  Total long-term debt   $ 777,305  
   
 
Shareholders' Equity:        
  Preferred stock, $1 par value, 4,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding      
  Common Stock, $1 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 64,677,440 shares issued and 62,508,281 shares outstanding   $ 64,677  
  Additional capital     947,479  
  Retained earnings     783,962  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     (12,177 )
  Deferred compensation     (9,217 )
  Treasury stock (2,169,159 shares), at cost     (100,329 )
   
 
  Total shareholders' equity   $ 1,674,455  
   
 
Total Capitalization   $ 2,451,670  
   
 

(a)
These advances are made under unsecured, uncommitted lines of credit.

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

Credit Facility

        On December 16, 2004, we entered into a new credit facility, replacing our then-existing credit agreement dated as of March 8, 2001, as amended. The credit facility is with various financial institutions and provides for revolving credit borrowings up to a maximum principal amount of $750 million at any one time outstanding, with borrowings not to exceed a borrowing base determined at least semiannually using the administrative agent's usual and customary criteria for oil and gas reserve valuation, adjusted for incurrences of other indebtedness since the last redetermination of the borrowing base. As of June 10, 2005, the borrowing base was $1 billion. The credit facility provides that in specified circumstances involving an increase in ratings assigned to our debt, we may elect for the borrowing base limitation to no longer apply to restrict available borrowings.

        The credit facility also includes procedures for additional financial institutions selected by us to become lenders under the agreement, or for any existing lender to increase its commitment in an amount approved by us and the lender, subject to a maximum of $250 million for all such increases in commitments of new or existing lenders. Additionally, the credit facility permits short-term swing-line loans up to $10 million and the issuance of letters of credit up to $75 million which in each case reduce the credit available for revolving credit borrowings.

        All outstanding amounts owed under the credit facility become due and payable no later than the final maturity date of December 16, 2009, and are subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of events of default which we consider usual and customary for an agreement of this type, including:

If at any time the outstanding credit extended under the agreement exceeds the applicable borrowing base, the deficiency is required to be amortized in four monthly installments commencing 90 days after the deficiency arises, and until the deficiency is eliminated, increases in some applicable interest rate margins apply.

        Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at our election, at a prime rate or Eurodollar rate, plus in each case an applicable margin. In addition, a commitment fee is payable on the unused portion of each lender's commitment. The applicable interest rate margin varies from 0% to 0.25% in the case of borrowings based on the prime rate and from 1.00% to 2.00% in the case of borrowings based on the Eurodollar rate, depending on the utilization level in relation to the borrowing base and, in the case of Eurodollar borrowings, ratings assigned to our debt.

        The credit facility contains various covenants, including among others:

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81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011

        On April 10, 2001, we issued $200 million principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011. The 2011 Notes bear interest at a rate of 81/4%, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2011 Notes are our general unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to our senior indebtedness, which currently includes our obligations under the credit facility. The Notes rank equally in right of payment with the 2011 Notes. We, at our option, may redeem the 2011 Notes in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2006, at a redemption price of 104.125% of their principal value and decreasing percentages thereafter. The indenture governing the 2011 Notes also imposes certain covenants on us, and our restricted subsidiaries, including covenants limiting our ability, and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, to, among other things:

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and we urge you to consider carefully whether to accept. Please consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

        We are offering to issue new registered 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 in exchange for a like principal amount of our outstanding 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015. We refer to our offer to exchange the Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes as the "exchange offer." We may extend, delay or terminate the exchange offer. Holders of Outstanding Notes who wish to exchange their notes will need to complete the exchange offer documentation related to the exchange.

Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer

        We sold the Outstanding Notes in transactions that were exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Accordingly, the Outstanding Notes are subject to transfer restrictions. In general, you may not offer or sell the Outstanding Notes unless either they are registered under the Securities Act or the offer or sale is exempt from or not subject to registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

        In connection with the sale of the Outstanding Notes, we entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement with the initial purchasers of the Outstanding Notes. In that agreement, we agreed to file a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes within 90 days after the issue date of the Outstanding Notes and to use our reasonable best efforts to have that registration statement declared effective by the SEC within 180 days after the issue date of the Outstanding Notes. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to commence and complete the exchange offer no later than 45 days after the registration statement becomes effective and to keep the exchange offer open for at least 30 days. We are offering the Exchange Notes under this prospectus in an exchange offer for the Outstanding Notes to satisfy our obligations under the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

        If,

we will use our reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Outstanding Notes.

Resale of Exchange Notes

        Based on interpretations of the SEC staff in "no action letters" issued to third parties, we believe that each Exchange Note issued in the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act if:

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        The SEC has not, however, considered the legality of our exchange offer in the context of a "no action letter," and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to our exchange offer as it has in other circumstances.

        If you tender your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the Exchange Notes, you:

        Unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available, the resale by any holder intending to distribute Exchange Notes should be covered by an effective registration statement under the Securities Act containing the selling holder's information required by Item 507 or Item 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of Exchange Notes only as specifically described in this prospectus. We have agreed to make the prospectus available in connection with resales of the Exchange Notes for up to 180 days from the completion of the exchange offer. Failure to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements by a holder subject to these requirements could result in that holder incurring liability for which it is not indemnified by us. With respect to broker-dealers, only those that acquired the Outstanding Notes for their own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding Notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. Please read "Plan of Distribution" for more details regarding the transfer of Exchange Notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

        Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any Outstanding Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of Exchange Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of Outstanding Notes surrendered under the exchange offer. Outstanding Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes being tendered for exchange.

        As of the date of this prospectus, $300 million principal amount of Outstanding Notes is outstanding. This prospectus and the letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of Outstanding Notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of Outstanding Notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.

        We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Outstanding Notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer will:

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However, these Outstanding Notes will not be freely tradable. Other than in connection with the exchange offer and as specified in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we are not obligated to, nor do we currently anticipate that we will, register the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act. See "—Consequences of Failure to Exchange" below.

        By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you acknowledge that, upon request, you will execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the exchange agent or us to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Notes tendered by you, including the transfer of such Outstanding Notes on the account books maintained by DTC.

        We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered Outstanding Notes when we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent and complied with the applicable provisions of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the Exchange Notes from us.

        If you tender Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Outstanding Notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important that you read the section "—Fees and Expenses" for more details about fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.

        We will return any Outstanding Notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to the tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Expiration Date

        The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                        , 2005, unless sooner terminated or, in our sole discretion, we extend it.

Extensions; Delay in Acceptance; Termination or Amendment

        We reserve the right, at any time or at various times, to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. During any extensions, all Outstanding Notes you have previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for exchange. We do not currently intend to extend the expiration date.

        To extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We also will make a public announcement of the extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a timely release to an appropriate news agency.

        If any of the conditions described below under "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion to:

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We will give oral or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent. Subject to the terms of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.

        Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice thereof to the registered holders of the Outstanding Notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose that amendment by means of a prospectus supplement. We will distribute the supplement to the registered holders of the Outstanding Notes. Depending upon the significance of the amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, we will extend the exchange offer if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during such period.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

        Despite any other term of the exchange offer, if in our reasonable judgment the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of Outstanding Notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC or would be impaired by any action or proceeding that has been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer:

        In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the Outstanding Notes of any holder that has not made to us:

        We reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any Outstanding Notes not previously accepted for exchange in the exchange offer, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to that exchange offer specified above. We will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, nonacceptance or termination to the holders of Outstanding Notes as promptly as practicable.

        These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various times in our sole discretion. Our failure at any time to exercise any of these rights will not mean that we have waived our rights. Each right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times.

        In addition, we will not accept for exchange any Outstanding Notes tendered, and will not issue Exchange Notes in exchange for any such Outstanding Notes, if at that time any stop order has been threatened or is in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture relating to the notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

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Procedures for Tendering

How to Tender Generally

        Only a registered holder of Outstanding Notes may tender its Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer. If you are a beneficial owner of Outstanding Notes and wish to have the registered owner tender on your behalf, please see "—How to Tender if You Are a Beneficial Owner" below. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must either comply with the procedures for manual tender or comply with the automated tender offer program procedures of DTC described below under "—Tendering Through DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program."

        To complete a manual tender, a holder must:

        If you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes and cannot comply with the requirement to deliver the letter of transmittal and your Outstanding Notes (including by book-entry transfer) or use the automated tender offer program of DTC described below before the expiration date, you must tender your Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

        To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at its address provided above under "Prospectus Summary—The Exchange Agent" prior to the expiration date.

        The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn prior to the expiration date and our acceptance of that tender will constitute a legally binding agreement between the holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.

        The method of delivery of Outstanding Notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at your election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that you use an overnight or courier service. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. You should not send the letter of transmittal or Outstanding Notes to us. You may request your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the above transactions for you.

Book-Entry Transfer

        The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the Outstanding Notes at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution participating in DTC's system may make book-entry delivery of Outstanding Notes by causing DTC to transfer such Outstanding Notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures for transfer. If you are unable to deliver confirmation of the book-entry tender of your Outstanding Notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC or all other documents required by the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent on or prior to the expiration

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date, you must tender your Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

Tendering Through DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program

        The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's system may use DTC's automated tender offer program to tender its Outstanding Notes. Accordingly, participants in the program may, instead of physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the exchange agent, transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer electronically. They may do so by causing DTC to transfer the Outstanding Notes to the exchange agent in accordance with its procedures for transfer. DTC will then send an agent's message to the exchange agent.

        An "agent's message" is a message transmitted by DTC to and received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, stating that:

How to Tender if You Are a Beneficial Owner

        If you beneficially own Outstanding Notes that are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender those notes, you should contact the registered holder as soon as possible and instruct the registered holder to tender on your behalf. If you are a beneficial owner and wish to tender on your own behalf, you must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your Outstanding Notes, either:

        The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time and may not be completed prior to the expiration date.

Signatures and Signature Guarantees

        You must have signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described below under "—Withdrawal of Tenders" guaranteed by an "eligible institution" unless the Outstanding Notes are tendered:

An "eligible institution" is a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office

35



or correspondent in the United States, or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, in each case that is a member of one of the recognized signature guarantee programs identified in the letter of transmittal.

When Endorsements or Bond Powers Are Needed

        If a person other than the registered holder of any Outstanding Notes signs the letter of transmittal, the Outstanding Notes must be endorsed properly or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The registered holder must sign the bond power as the registered holder's name appears on the Outstanding Notes. An eligible institution must guarantee that signature.

        If the letter of transmittal or any Outstanding Notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, those persons should so indicate when signing. Unless we waive this requirement, they also must submit evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to deliver the letter of transmittal.

Determinations Under the Exchange Offer

        We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of tendered Outstanding Notes and withdrawal of tendered Outstanding Notes. Our determinations will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any Outstanding Notes not properly tendered or any Outstanding Notes our acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of the exchange offer as to particular Outstanding Notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties.

        Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Notes must be cured within the time we determine. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes, nor will we or those persons incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will not be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.

When We Will Issue Exchange Notes

        In all cases, we will issue Exchange Notes for Outstanding Notes that we have accepted for exchange in the exchange offer only after the exchange agent timely receives:


Return of Outstanding Notes Not Accepted or Exchanged

        If we do not accept any tendered Outstanding Notes for exchange for any reason described in the terms and conditions of the exchange offer or if Outstanding Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, we will return the unaccepted or non-exchanged Outstanding Notes without expense to their tendering holder. In the case of Outstanding Notes

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tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures described above, such non-exchanged Outstanding Notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC. These actions will occur as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Your Representations to Us

        By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

        If you tender in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes:

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

        If you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes but they are not immediately available or if you cannot deliver your Outstanding Notes (including by book-entry transfer), the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent or comply with the applicable procedures under DTC's automated tender offer program prior to the expiration date, you may tender if:

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        Upon request to the exchange agent, the exchange agent will send a notice of guaranteed delivery to you if you wish to tender your Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above.

Withdrawal of Tenders

        Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date unless we have previously accepted your Outstanding Notes for exchange. For a withdrawal to be effective:

        Any notice of withdrawal must:

        If Outstanding Notes have been tendered under the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Outstanding Notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.

        We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of notice of withdrawal, and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. We will deem any Outstanding Notes so withdrawn not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.

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        Any Outstanding Notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to their holder without cost to the holder or, in the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures described above, such Outstanding Notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the Outstanding Notes. This return or crediting will take place as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes by following one of the procedures described under "—Procedures for Tendering" above at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on the expiration date.

Fees and Expenses

        We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, we may make additional solicitation by facsimile, email, telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.

        We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We may also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this prospectus, letters of transmittal and related documents to the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Notes and in handling or forwarding tenders for exchange.

        We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer including:

Transfer Taxes

        We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer. The tendering holder will, however, be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:

        If satisfactory evidence of payment of any transfer taxes payable by a tendering holder is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to that tendering holder. The exchange agent will retain possession of Exchange Notes with a face amount at least equal to the amount of the transfer taxes due until it receives payment of the taxes.

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Consequences of Failure to Exchange

        If you do not tender your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer, or if you tender your Outstanding Notes but subsequently withdraw them, your Outstanding Notes will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any exchange or registration rights under the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (except in limited circumstances involving the initial purchasers of the Outstanding Notes and certain persons to whom the exchange offer is not available) or accrue additional interest under that agreement. In addition, your notes will remain subject to the existing restrictions on transfer. In general, you may not offer or sell the Outstanding Notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act or the offer or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we do not intend to register resales of the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act.

        The tender of Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer will reduce the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes outstanding. Due to the corresponding reduction in liquidity, this may have an adverse effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of any Outstanding Notes that you continue to hold following completion of the exchange offer.

Accounting Treatment

        We will not recognize a gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the consummation of the exchange offer. We will amortize our expenses of the exchange offer over the term of Exchange Notes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Other

        Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your decision on what action to take. In the future, we may seek to acquire untendered Outstanding Notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plan to acquire any Outstanding Notes that are not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered Outstanding Notes, except as required by the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES

        The Outstanding Notes were, and the Exchange Notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of March 29, 2005 (the "Indenture"), between Pogo and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms of the Notes include those expressly set forth in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). We may issue an unlimited principal amount of additional notes having identical terms and conditions as the Notes (the "Additional Notes"). We will only be permitted to issue such Additional Notes if, at the time of such issuance, we are in compliance with the covenants contained in the Indenture. Any Additional Notes will be part of the same issue as the Notes and will vote on all matters with the holders of the Notes.

        This "Description of the Exchange Notes" is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the Exchange Notes and the Indenture. As this "Description of the Exchange Notes" is only a summary, you should refer to the Indenture for a complete description of the obligations of Pogo and your rights. We have filed the Indenture and the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

        As described below under "—Registration Rights; Special Interest," we are filing a registration statement to enable holders of outstanding Notes to exchange their Notes for publicly registered Notes having substantially identical terms, except for provisions relating to transfer restrictions and additional interest. The Outstanding Notes and the Exchange Notes issued in the exchange offer will constitute a single series of securities under the Indenture and therefore will vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in aggregate principal amount thereof have taken actions or exercised rights they are entitled to take or exercise under the Indenture. We are required under specified circumstances to file a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Outstanding Notes. If we fail to satisfy specified obligations under the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we may be required to pay additional interest to holders of the Outstanding Notes.

        You will find the definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this description under "—Certain Definitions." For purposes of this description, references to "Pogo," "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Pogo Producing Company and not to its subsidiaries. All references to "$," "U.S.$" or "U.S. dollars" are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.

General

The Notes

        The Notes:

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        All of our Subsidiaries are "Restricted Subsidiaries." However, under the circumstances described in the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under "—Certain Definitions" below, we may designate certain of our Subsidiaries as "Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive covenants in the Indenture and will not guarantee the Notes.

Interest

        Interest on each of the Notes will compound semi-annually and:


        Additional interest may accrue on the Notes in the circumstances described below under "—Registration Rights; Special Interest," and all references to "interest" in this description include any such additional interest that may be payable on the Notes.

Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar

        If a holder of any Notes has given wire transfer instructions to us, we will make all principal, premium and interest payments on those Notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the Notes will be made at the office or agency designated by us in The City of New York, New York, except that we may, at our option, pay interest on the Notes by check mailed to holders of the Notes at their registered address as it appears in the Registrar's books. We have initially designated the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes, and we have also initially designated the offices of The Bank of New York at 101 Barclay Street, Lobby, as our office or agency for payments on the Notes in The City of New York, New York. We may, however, change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the holders of the Notes, and we or any of our Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

        Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes in global form registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company or its nominee will be paid in immediately available funds to The Depository Trust Company or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the Notes.

Transfer and Exchange

        A holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents. No service charge will be imposed by us, the Trustee or the Registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but we may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any Notes if any Notes have been selected for redemption.

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Also, we are not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

        The registered holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of such Note and as the owner, for each Note held, of the underlying principal amount of Notes for all purposes, and all references to "holders" are to registered holders, unless otherwise indicated.

Possible Subsidiary Guarantees

        None of our Subsidiaries have Guaranteed the Notes. However, in the future one or more of our domestic Restricted Subsidiaries may be required to Guarantee the Notes in the circumstances described under "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantees." Any Subsidiary Guarantors will jointly and severally guarantee our obligations under the Notes on a senior subordinated unsecured basis. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited in a manner intended to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or transfer under applicable law, although no assurance can be given that a court would give holders of notes the benefit of such provision. See "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Notes—Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees and require Noteholders to return payments received from guarantors."

Optional Redemption

        Except as described below, the Notes are not redeemable until March 15, 2010.

        On and after March 15, 2010, we may redeem all or, from time to time, part of the Notes upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to each holder of Notes at the address appearing in the Note register, in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below:

Year

  Percentage
 
2010   103.313 %
2011   102.208 %
2012   101.104 %
2013 and thereafter   100.000 %

        Prior to March 15, 2008, we may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes and any Additional Notes, with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 106.625% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that

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        We are entitled, at our option, prior to March 15, 2010, to redeem the Notes (and the Additional Notes, if any), as a whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

        In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not listed, then on a pro rata basis, although no Note will be redeemed in part. Notes in a principal amount equal to, and representing the same Indebtedness as, the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Notes.

Mandatory Redemption

        We are not required to make mandatory redemption payments or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes, except as set forth below under "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."

Ranking and Subordination

        The Notes are our unsecured Senior Subordinated Indebtedness, are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future Senior Indebtedness, rank equally in right of payment with our outstanding 2011 Notes and all of our future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and will be senior in right of payment to all of our future Subordinated Obligations. The Notes also are effectively subordinated to all of our future secured Indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Indebtedness.

        The Notes are structurally subordinated to the liabilities of our Subsidiaries that do not Guarantee the Notes. As of March 31, 2005, after giving effect to the issuance of the Outstanding Notes on March 29, 2005 and the use of proceeds therefrom:

        Although the Indenture limits the amount of Indebtedness that we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur, such Indebtedness may be substantial and all of it may be Senior Indebtedness or structurally senior to the Notes.

        Only our Indebtedness that is Senior Indebtedness ranks senior to the Notes in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The Notes rank in all respects equally with all of our other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. As described in "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Layering," we may

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not Incur any Indebtedness that is senior in right of payment to the Notes, but junior in right of payment to our Senior Indebtedness. Our unsecured Indebtedness is not deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured.

        We may not pay principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or other payment obligations in respect of, the Notes (except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trusts described under "—Defeasance" or "—Satisfaction and Discharge") or make any deposit pursuant to the provisions described under "—Defeasance" or "—Satisfaction and Discharge" below and may not otherwise repurchase, redeem or retire any Notes (collectively, "pay the Notes") if:

unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents.

        However, we may pay the Notes if we and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (1) or (2) of the immediately preceding sentence has occurred and is continuing.

        We also are not permitted to pay the Notes for a Payment Blockage Period (as defined below) during the continuance of any default, other than a default described in clause (1) or (2) of the preceding paragraph, on any of our Designated Senior Indebtedness that permits the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity immediately without either further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods.

        A "Payment Blockage Period" commences on the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to us) of written notice (a "Blockage Notice") of a default of the kind described in the immediately preceding paragraph from the Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ends 179 days after receipt of the notice. The Payment Blockage Period will end earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated:

        We may resume payments on the Notes after the end of the Payment Blockage Period (including any missed payments), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders has accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period. In no event, however, may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this paragraph, no default or event of default that existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness,

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whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

        In the event of:

the holders of our Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash or Cash Equivalents in respect of Senior Indebtedness (including interest accruing after, or which would accrue but for, the commencement of any such proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Indebtedness, whether or not a claim for such interest would be allowed) before the holders of the Notes will be entitled to receive any payment with respect to their Notes. In addition, until our Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash or Cash Equivalents, any payment or distribution to which holders of the Notes would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the Indenture (except payment in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trusts described under "—Defeasance" or "—Satisfaction and Discharge") will be made to holders of our Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear. If a payment or distribution is made to holders of the Notes that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such holders are required to hold it in trust for the holders of our Senior Indebtedness and pay the payment or distribution over to Pogo.

        If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, we or the Trustee will promptly notify the holders of our Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders of the acceleration.

        None of our Subsidiaries have Guaranteed the Notes. However, in the circumstances described under "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantees," in the future one or more of our domestic Restricted Subsidiaries may be required to Guarantee the Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee. All obligations under a Subsidiary Guarantee would represent Senior Subordinated Obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor. As such, the rights of Noteholders to receive payment by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee would be subordinated in right of payment to the rights of holders of all Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. The terms of the subordination provisions described above with respect to Pogo's obligations under the Notes apply equally to a Subsidiary Guarantor and its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

        By reason of the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture, in the event of a liquidation or an insolvency or similar proceeding, creditors of Pogo or a Subsidiary Guarantor who are holders of Senior Indebtedness of Pogo or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the Notes.

        The terms of the subordination provisions described above will not apply to payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes pursuant to the provisions described under "—Defeasance" or "—Satisfaction and Discharge."

Change of Control

        If a Change of Control occurs, each holder has the right to require us to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder's Notes, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record

46



date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date referred to below).

        Within 30 days following any Change of Control, we will mail a notice (the "Change of Control Offer") to each holder, with a copy to the Trustee, stating:

        On or before the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

        The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if the Notes are in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each holder a new Note equal in principal amount to, and evidencing the same Indebtedness as, any unpurchased portions of Notes surrendered, if any, provided that each Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.

        Pogo will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

        The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders to require that we repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

        Prior to mailing a Change of Control Offer, and as a condition to such mailing, (a) all Senior Indebtedness of Pogo or any Subsidiary Guarantor must be repaid in full, or we must offer to repay all such Senior Indebtedness and make payment to the holders that accept such offer and obtain waivers of any event of default from the remaining holders of such Senior Indebtedness or (b) the requisite holders of each issue of Senior Indebtedness must consent to such Change of Control Offer being made. We covenant to effect such repayment or obtain such consent prior to the Change of Control Payment Date, it being a default of the Change of Control provisions if we fail to comply with such covenant. Either a "Change of Control" or a default under the Indenture may result in a default under the Existing Credit Facility. In the event of a default under the Existing Credit Facility, the subordination provisions of the Indenture would likely restrict payments to the holders of the Notes.

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        We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

        We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under this covenant by virtue of the conflict.

        Our ability to repurchase Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer may be limited by a number of factors. The occurrence of certain of the events that constitute a Change of Control would constitute a default under the Existing Credit Facility. In addition, certain events that may constitute a change of control under the Existing Credit Facility and cause a default under the agreements comprising that facility may not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture. The indenture governing the 2011 Notes contains, and our future Indebtedness and the future Indebtedness of our Subsidiaries may also contain, prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or require such Indebtedness to be repurchased or repaid upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require us to repurchase the Notes could cause a default under such Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on us. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by our then existing financial resources. We cannot assure you that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

        Even if sufficient funds were otherwise available, the terms of the Existing Credit Facility may (and other Indebtedness may) prohibit the prepayment of the Notes before their scheduled maturity. Consequently, if we are not able to prepay the Bank Indebtedness and any such other Indebtedness containing similar restrictions or obtain requisite consents, as described above, we will be unable to fulfill our repurchase obligations if holders of Notes exercise their repurchase rights following a Change of Control, resulting in a default under the Indenture. A default under the Indenture may result in a cross-default under the Existing Credit Facility. In the event of a default under the Existing Credit Facility, the subordination provisions of the Indenture would likely restrict payments to the holders of the Notes.

        The Change of Control provisions described above may deter certain mergers, tender offers and other takeover attempts involving us by increasing the capital required to effectuate such transactions. The definition of "Change of Control" includes a disposition of all or substantially all of our property and assets and those of our Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the property or assets of a Person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether we may be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as described above.

Effectiveness of Covenants

        The covenants described under "—Limitation on Indebtedness," "—Limitation on Restricted Payments," "—Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries," "—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock," "—Limitation on Affiliate Transactions," "—Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries" and "—Future Subsidiary Guarantees" and clause (3)

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under "Merger and Consolidation" will no longer be in effect from and after the time we notify the Trustee that the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody's, provided that no Default or Event of Default (other than with respect to any of the terminating covenants) has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture at the time of such notification.

Certain Covenants

Limitation on Indebtedness

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness); provided, however, that Pogo and any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness if on the date thereof:



(a)   if Pogo is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes; and

(b)

 

(i)

 

any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Indebtedness being beneficially held by a Person other than Pogo, a Restricted Subsidiary or B8/32 Partners and

 

 

(ii)

 

any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than Pogo, a Restricted Subsidiary or B8/32 Partners,

 

 

 

 

shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by Pogo or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; and
provided, further, however that this clause (2) will no longer relate to any Indebtedness owing to B8/32 Partners if Pogo no longer holds, directly or indirectly, at least 46% of its Capital Stock;

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        For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this covenant:

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        Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (a) the accreted value thereof in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount and (b) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

        If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under this "—Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, Pogo shall be in Default of this covenant).

        For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. Dollar-Equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided, however, that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness (including any additional Indebtedness Incurred to pay interest or premiums required by the instruments governing such Indebtedness being refinanced and fees and other transactional expenses Incurred in connection therewith) does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Pogo may Incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:

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52


        The provisions of the preceding paragraph will not prohibit:

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        The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the securities or other assets proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by Pogo or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in the manner contemplated by the definition of the term "fair market value," and the results of such determination will be evidenced by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee.

Limitation on Layering

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, Incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any of its Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to the Notes or its Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be. Unsecured Indebtedness of Pogo or a Subsidiary Guarantor is not deemed to be subordinate or junior to its secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured.

Limitation on Liens

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether owned on the Issue Date or acquired after that date, unless contemporaneously with the Incurrence of such Liens effective provision is made to secure the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, equally and ratably with (or prior to in the case of Liens with respect to its Subordinated Obligations) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien for so long as such Indebtedness is so secured.

Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

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        The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

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Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Disposition unless:

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        Any Net Available Cash from Asset Dispositions that is not applied or invested (or subject to an agreement committing to invest) as provided in the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds." On the 366th day after an Asset Disposition (or, in the case of an Asset Disposition that results in Net Available Cash subject to the benefits of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, on the 731st day thereafter), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20 million, Pogo will be required to make an offer ("Asset Disposition Offer") to all holders of Notes, and to the extent required by the terms of its other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness, to all holders of its other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness outstanding with similar provisions requiring Pogo to make an offer to purchase such Senior Subordinated Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition ("Pari Passu Notes"), to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and any such Pari Passu Notes to which the Asset Disposition Offer applies that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes and Pari Passu Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Asset Disposition Purchase Date referred to below), in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture or the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes, as applicable, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, Pogo may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by holders thereof and other Pari Passu Notes surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, then (a) the Trustee shall determine the aggregate principal amount of Notes, on the one hand, and Pari Passu Notes, on the other hand, to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the aggregate principal amount of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Notes, respectively, and (b) the amount of the Excess Proceeds allocable to the Notes shall be applied to purchase Notes on a pro rata basis based on the aggregate principal amount of tendered Notes. Upon completion of such Asset Disposition Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

        The Asset Disposition Offer will remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the "Asset Disposition Offer Period"). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period (the "Asset Disposition Purchase Date"), Pogo will purchase the principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Notes required to be purchased pursuant to this covenant (the "Asset Disposition Offer Amount") or, if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been so validly tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Notes validly tendered in response to the Asset Disposition Offer.

        On or before the Asset Disposition Purchase Date, Pogo will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Asset Disposition Offer Amount of Notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer, or if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, all Notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000. Pogo will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the Notes were accepted for payment by Pogo in accordance with the terms of this covenant and, in addition, Pogo will deliver all certificates and notes required, if any, by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. Pogo or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period) mail or deliver to each tendering holder of Notes or holder or lender of Pari Passu Notes, as the case may be, an amount

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equal to the purchase price of the Notes or Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn by such holder or lender, as the case may be, and accepted by Pogo for purchase, and Pogo will promptly issue new Notes, and the Trustee, upon delivery of an Officers' Certificate from Pogo, will authenticate and mail or deliver such new Notes to such holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. In addition, Pogo will take any and all other actions required by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. Any Note not so accepted will be promptly mailed or delivered by Pogo to the holder thereof. Pogo will publicly announce the results of the Asset Disposition Offer on the Asset Disposition Purchase Date.

        For the purposes of this covenant, the following will be deemed to be cash:

        Pogo will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, Pogo will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue of any conflict. As indicated below under "—Amendments and Waivers," the provisions under the Indenture relative to Pogo's obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of an Asset Disposition may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes.

Limitation on Affiliate Transactions

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of Pogo (an "Affiliate Transaction") unless:

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        The preceding paragraph will not apply to:


Limitation on Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries

        Pogo will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, transfer, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any Voting Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary or issue any of the Voting Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than, if necessary, shares of its Voting Stock constituting directors' qualifying shares) to any Person except:

        Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, Pogo may sell all the Voting Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary as long as Pogo complies with the terms of the covenant described under "—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."

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SEC Reports

        Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, Pogo will furnish to the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations for reports required to be filed with it (including any filing extensions granted by the SEC):

        All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on Pogo's consolidated financial statements by Pogo's certified independent accountants. In addition, Pogo will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (including any filing extensions granted by the SEC) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods.

        In addition, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, if at any time we are not required to file with the SEC the reports required by the preceding paragraphs, we will furnish to the holders of Notes and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Merger and Consolidation

        Pogo will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its properties and assets to, any Person, unless:

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        For purposes of this covenant, the sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of Pogo, which properties and assets, if held by Pogo instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of Pogo on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of Pogo. In addition, Pogo will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of it and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.

        The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Pogo under the Indenture.

        Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve "all or substantially all" of the assets of a Person.

        Notwithstanding the preceding clause (3), any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Person with no Indebtedness outstanding, may consolidate with or merge with or into Pogo.

Future Subsidiary Guarantees

        The Indenture provides that Pogo will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary or a Restricted Subsidiary that is already a Subsidiary Guarantor) to Guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of Pogo or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, unless such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the Indenture. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be released or discharged upon the release or discharge of all Guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of Pogo (other than the Notes) or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, except a release or discharge by or as a result of the payment of such Indebtedness by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee.

        Notwithstanding the preceding and the other provisions of the Indenture, in the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock or the sale of all or substantially all of its properties and assets (other than by lease) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person in such transaction) to a Person which is not Pogo or a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if:

        In addition, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under the Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantee if Pogo designates such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the Indenture or if Pogo effects a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance as described under "—Defeasance" or the Indenture is discharged as described under "—Satisfaction and Discharge."

Payments for Consent

        Neither we nor any of our Restricted Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fees or otherwise, to any holder of any Notes for or

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as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or is paid to all holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment.

Events of Default

        Each of the following is an Event of Default:

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However, a Default under clauses (4) and (5) of this paragraph will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify us of the Default and we do not cure such Default within the time specified in clauses (4) and (5) of this paragraph after receipt of such notice.

        If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (7) above) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to us and the Trustee, may, and the Trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default described in clause (7) above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive all existing Defaults or Events of Default (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest or an Indenture provision that cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected), and they may also rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

        If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of his own affairs. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that, subject to certain restrictions, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense.

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        Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless:


        If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of trust officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate as to our performance of our obligations under the Indenture during the previous year and indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during that period. We also are required to deliver to the Trustee, forthwith after any Officer becomes aware of it, written notice of any Default or Event of Default, its status and what action we are taking or propose to take in respect thereof.

Amendments and Waivers

        Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture and the Notes may be amended by us with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past Default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, no amendment or waiver may:

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        Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder, we and the Trustee may amend the Indenture and the Notes to:

However, no amendment may be made to the subordination provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder of our Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any Representative thereof) consent to such change.

        The consent of the holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the Indenture requiring the consent of the holders becomes effective, Pogo is required to mail to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

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Defeasance

        We at any time may terminate all of our obligations under the Notes and the Indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and to maintain a Registrar and Paying Agent in respect of the Notes.

        We at any time may terminate our obligations under covenants described under "—Change of Control," "—Certain Covenants" (other than "—Merger and Consolidation"), the operation of the cross-default upon a payment default, cross acceleration provisions, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the Subsidiary Guarantee provision, the judgment default provision and the limitation contained in clause (3) under "—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation" above ("covenant defeasance").

        We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clauses (4), (5), (6), (7) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), (8) or (9) in the first paragraph under "Events of Default" above or because of the failure of Pogo to comply with clause (3) under "—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation" above.

        In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must irrevocably deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to redemption or their Stated Maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary exceptions, qualifications and exclusions) to the effect that holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable Federal income tax law.

Satisfaction and Discharge

        The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued thereunder except for certain obligations, including those respecting the trust and obligation to register the transfer of or exchange the Notes, to replace mutilated, lost or stolen Notes and to maintain a Registrar and Paying Agent in respect of the Notes, when:

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No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

        None of the directors, officers, employees, incorporators or stockholders of Pogo or any Subsidiary Guarantor as such, shall have any liability for any of the obligations of Pogo or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Concerning the Trustee

        If the Trustee becomes a creditor of Pogo or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest after a Default has occurred and is continuing it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.

        The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. is the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by us as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the Notes.

Governing Law

        The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

        "ACNTA" means (without duplication), as of the date of determination:

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If Pogo changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full cost method or a similar method of accounting, "ACNTA" will continue to be calculated as if Pogo were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.

        "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness:

Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.

        "Additional Assets" means:


provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (2) and (3), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

        "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings

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correlative to the foregoing; provided, however, that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. No Person shall be deemed an Affiliate of an oil and gas royalty trust solely by virtue of ownership of units of beneficial interest in such trust.

        "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Note at any time, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note at such time and (2) the excess, if any, of (A) the present value at such time of (i) the principal amount of such Note plus (ii) any required interest payments due on such Note through March 15, 2010, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, discounted semi-annually over (B) the principal amount of such Note.

        "Asset Disposition" means any direct or indirect sale, lease (other than an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of business), transfer, issuance or other disposition, or a series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions that are part of a common plan, of shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary (other than directors' qualifying shares), property or other assets (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a "disposition") by Pogo or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

        Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Dispositions:

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        "Asset Swap" means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets between Pogo or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided, however, that any cash received must be applied in accordance with "—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."

        "Attributable Indebtedness" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP. As used in the preceding sentence, the "net rental payments" under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder, excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of penalty, such net rental payment shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

        "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.

        "B8/32 Partners" means B8/32 Partners, Ltd., a corporation organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand, approximately 46% of the Capital Stock in which is held by Pogo on the Issue Date.

        "Bank Indebtedness" means any and all amounts, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or Incurred after the Issue Date, payable by Pogo under or in respect of a Credit Facility, and any related notes, collateral documents, letters of credit and guarantees and any Interest Rate Agreement entered into in connection with the such credit agreements, including principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to Pogo at the rate specified therein whether or not a claim for post filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.

        "Board of Directors" means, with respect to any Person, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

        "Business Day" means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

        "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

        "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with

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GAAP and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty.

        "Cash Equivalents" means:

        "Change of Control" means:

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        "Code" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        "Commodity Agreements" means, with respect to any Person, any forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in commodity prices.

        "Common Stock" means with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person's common stock whether or not outstanding on the Issue Date, and includes all series and classes of such common stock.

        "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

provided, however, that:

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        For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of Pogo (including pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of Pogo, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by Pogo.

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        "Consolidated EBITDA" for any period means, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income of Pogo and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

and less, to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable thereto and deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to volumetric Production Payments, and (y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to dollar-denominated Production Payments. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (2) through (5) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of Pogo and, to the extent the amounts set forth in clauses (2) through (5) are in excess of those necessary to offset a net loss of such Restricted Subsidiary or if such Restricted Subsidiary has net income for such period included in Consolidated Net Income, only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to Pogo by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

        "Consolidated Income Taxes" means, for any period, taxes imposed upon Pogo or other payments required to be made by Pogo by any governmental authority, which taxes or other payments are calculated by reference to the income or profits of Pogo or Pogo and its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent such income or profits were included in computing Consolidated Net Income for such period), regardless of whether such taxes or payments are required to be remitted to any governmental authority.

        "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest expense of Pogo and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense:

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provided, however, that there will be excluded therefrom any such interest expense attributable to dollar-denominated Production Payments.

        For purposes of the preceding definition, total interest expense will be determined (i) after giving effect to any net payments made or received by Pogo and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Interest Rate Agreements and (ii) exclusive of amounts classified as other comprehensive income in the balance sheet of Pogo.

        "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (loss) of Pogo and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

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In addition, notwithstanding the preceding, for the purposes of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments" only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity. Further, notwithstanding the preceding, the effects of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 and any non-cash writedowns will be disregarded for purposes of calculating Consolidated Net Income.

        "Credit Facility" means, with respect to Pogo and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities (including the Existing Credit Facility) or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, money market lines, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), accounts payable overdraft financing or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or other lenders and whether provided under the original Existing Credit Facility or any other credit or other agreement or indenture).

        "Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

        "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

        "Designated Senior Indebtedness", with respect to a Person, means:

        "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event:

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in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the date (a) of the Stated Maturity of the Notes or (b) on which there are no Notes outstanding, provided, however, that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; and provided, further that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require Pogo to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale (each defined in a substantially similar manner to the corresponding definitions in the Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) provide that Pogo may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by Pogo with the provisions of the Indenture described under the captions "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" and such repurchase or redemption complies with "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

        "Equity Offering" means a public or private sale (including upon exercise of options, warrants or other rights) for cash by Pogo of its Common Stock, or options, warrants or other rights with respect to its Common Stock, other than public offerings with respect to Pogo's Common Stock, or options, warrants or other rights, registered on Form S-4 or S-8.

        "Existing Credit Facility" means the Credit Agreement dated as of December 16, 2004 between Pogo, as the Borrower, certain commercial lending institutions, as the Lenders, Bank of Montreal, acting through its Chicago, Illinois branch, as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders, Bank of America, N.A., Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC and BNP Paribas, as Co-Syndication Agents, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent, and Citibank, N.A. and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Managing Agents.

        The term "fair market value" means, with respect to any asset or Investment, the fair market value of such asset or Investment at the time of the event requiring such determination, as determined in good faith by senior management of Pogo, which determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of recognized standing in the case of any determination of fair market value exceeding $50 million.

        "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and that conducts substantially all of its operations outside the United States.

        "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the date of the Indenture, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.

        Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Indenture, all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.

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        "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

provided, however, that the term "Guarantee" will not include (i) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or (ii) a contractual commitment by one Person to invest in another Person for so long as such Investment is reasonably expected to constitute a Permitted Investment. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

        "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Agreement.

        The term "holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar's books.

        "Hydrocarbon Interests" means all rights, titles and interests in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, other Hydrocarbon leases, mineral interests, mineral servitudes, overriding royalty interests, royalty interests, net profits interests, Production Payments and other similar interests.

        "Hydrocarbons" means, collectively, crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate and all other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons and related minerals and all products therefrom, in each case whether in a natural or a processed state.

        "Incur" means issue, create, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms "Incurred" and "Incurrence" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

        "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

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        The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.

        Notwithstanding the preceding, the following shall not constitute "Indebtedness:"

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        "Interest Rate Agreement" means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

        "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances or extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business) or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee, but excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments by such Person, and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business will not be deemed to be an Investment.

        For purposes of "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,"

        "Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody's or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

        "Issue Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued.

        "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof); provided, however, "Lien" shall not include rights created in a third Person in connection with the creation by Pogo or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Production Payment.

        "Material Change" means an increase or decrease (excluding changes that result solely from changes in prices and changes resulting from the incurrence of previously estimated future development

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costs) of more than 50% during a fiscal quarter in the discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of Pogo and its Restricted Subsidiaries, calculated in accordance with clause (a)(i) of the definition of ACNTA; provided, however, that the following will be excluded from the calculation of Material Change:

        "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each case net of:

        "Net Cash Proceeds," with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually Incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

        "Net Working Capital" means:

determined in accordance with GAAP.

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        "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness of a Person:

        "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Pogo.

        "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of Pogo.

        "Oil and Gas Business" means:

        "Oil and Gas Properties" means Hydrocarbon Interests; Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; all existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any governmental authority having jurisdiction) which may affect all or any portion of Hydrocarbon Interests; all operating agreements, joint venture agreements, contracts and other agreements which relate to any Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to Hydrocarbon Interests; all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to Hydrocarbon Interests, the lands covered thereby and all oil in tanks and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to Hydrocarbon Interests; all tenements, profits à prendre, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in anywise appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to Hydrocarbon Interests, Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, water wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

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        "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee, that complies with the Indenture and that is delivered to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Pogo or the Trustee.

        "Permitted Business Investment" means any Investment made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting crude oil, natural gas and other Hydrocarbons through any agreement, transaction, interest or arrangement that permits one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

        "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by Pogo or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

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        "Permitted Junior Securities" means:

        "Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person:

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        "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

        "Preferred Stock," as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

        "Production Payment" means a production payment obligation (whether volumetric or dollar-denominated) of Pogo or any of its Subsidiaries which is payable from a specified share of proceeds received from production from specified Oil and Gas Properties, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        "Property" or "property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

        "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinance," and the terms "refinances" and "refinanced" shall have correlative meanings) any Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with the Indenture, including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that:

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        "Related Business Assets" means long-term assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business or Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of a Person engaged principally in the Oil and Gas Business.

        "Representative" means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) of an issue of Senior Indebtedness.

        "Restricted Investment" means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of Pogo other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

        "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby Pogo or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and Pogo or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

        "SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

        "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to either Pogo or a Subsidiary Guarantor, and whether such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred, its Bank Indebtedness and all amounts payable by it under or in respect of all of its other Indebtedness, including premiums and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person, at the rate specified in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not a claim for post filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) and fees relating thereto; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness will not include any of the following (if it constitutes Indebtedness):

        "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means, with respect to Pogo, the Notes and the 2011 Notes, and with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee and its Guarantee (if any) with respect to the 2011 Notes, and any other Indebtedness of such Person that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank equally with the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, in right of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person which is not Senior Indebtedness of such Person.

        "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of Pogo within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

        "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

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        "Subordinated Obligation" means, with respect to either Pogo or a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Person (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be, pursuant to a written agreement.

        "Subsidiary" of any Person means:


        Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a "Subsidiary" is to a Subsidiary of Pogo.

        "Subsidiary Guarantee" means, individually, any unconditional Guarantee, on a senior subordinated basis, of payment of the Notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto.

        "Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Restricted Subsidiary that provides a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantees" and its successors and assigns.

        "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date fixed for redemption (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the then remaining average life to March 15, 2010; provided, however, that if the average life to March 15, 2010 of the Notes is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the average life to March 15, 2010 of the Notes is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

        "2011 Notes" means the 81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011 of Pogo outstanding on the Issue Date.

        "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means:

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        Pogo may designate any Subsidiary of Pogo (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

        Any such designation by Pogo shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee an Officers' Certificate reflecting such designation and certifying that such designation complies with the foregoing conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture.

        Pogo may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and Pogo could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the "—Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

        "U.S. Dollar-Equivalent" means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, at or as of any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable service as is providing such spot quotations, as selected by Pogo) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than two Business Days prior to such determination. Whenever the definitions under "—Certain Definitions" or the provisions described under "—Certain Covenants" or "—Events of Default" refer to an amount in U.S. dollars, that amount shall be deemed to refer to the U.S.-Dollar Equivalent of the amount denominated in any other currency or currency unit, including composite currencies.

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        "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are:

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.

        "Voting Stock" of a corporation means all classes of Capital Stock of such corporation then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors.

        "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by Pogo or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

Registration Rights; Special Interest

        Pogo and the initial purchasers of the Outstanding Notes entered into the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement on the original issuance date of the Notes. Pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, Pogo agreed to file with the SEC an exchange offer registration statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to the Exchange Notes (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement"). Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, Pogo will offer to the holders of the Notes who are able to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes (the "Exchange Offer").

        If:

then Pogo will file with the SEC a shelf registration statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement") to cover resales of the Outstanding Notes by the holders of the Outstanding Notes who satisfy certain conditions relating to the provision of information in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement.

        The Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement provides that:

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        If:

then Pogo will pay additional interest ("Special Interest") to each holder of Outstanding Notes, with respect to the first 90 days of the Registration Default Period in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of Outstanding Notes held by such holder.

        The amount of the Special Interest will increase to 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes for the second 90 days of the Registration Default Period, to 0.75% per annum for the third 90 days of the Registration Default Period and to 1.0% per annum for the remaining portion of the Registration Default Period. Pogo will pay Special Interest on regular interest payment dates. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Special Interest will cease.

        Holders of the Outstanding Notes will be required to make certain representations to Pogo (as described in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement) in order to participate in the Exchange Offer. In addition, holders of the Outstanding Notes will be required to deliver certain information to be used in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement and will need to provide comments, if any, on the Shelf Registration Statement within the time periods set forth in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in order to have their Outstanding Notes included in the Shelf Registration Statement. Holders of the Outstanding Notes will be required to suspend their use of the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement under certain circumstances upon receipt of written notice to that effect from Pogo.

        Subject only to limited exceptions applicable to persons to whom the exchange offer is not available, if you do not exchange your Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer, you will no longer be entitled to registration rights. You will not be able to offer or sell the Outstanding Notes unless they are later registered, sold pursuant to an exemption from registration or sold in a transaction not subject

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to the Securities Act or state securities laws. Other than in connection with the exchange offer or as specified in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, we are not obligated to, nor do we currently anticipate that we will register the Outstanding Notes under the Securities Act.


BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

The Global Notes

        The Exchange Notes will be issued in the form of several registered notes in global form, without interest coupons (the "Global Notes"), in definitive, registered, book entry form. Upon issuance, each of the Global Notes will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

        Ownership of beneficial interests in each Global Note will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC ("DTC participants") or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

        Investors may hold their interests in a Global Note directly through the Euroclear System ("Euroclear") or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme ("Clearstream"), if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in those systems. Each of Euroclear and Clearstream will appoint a DTC participant to act as its depositary for the interests in each Global Note that are held within DTC for the account of each settlement system on behalf of its participants.

        Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below under "—Certificated Notes."

Book-Entry Procedures for the Global Notes

        All interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. We provide the following summaries of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of each settlement system are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. We are not responsible for those operations or procedures.

        DTC has advised us that it is:

        DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and

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trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC's system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.

        So long as DTC's nominee is the registered owner of a Global Note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by that Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note:

        As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the Indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest). Interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of those systems. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to those persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of participations, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a beneficial owner of interests in a Global Note to pledge those interests to a person that does not participate in the DTC system or otherwise take actions in respect of those interests may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing the interests.

        Payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Notes represented by a Global Note will be made by the Trustee to DTC's nominee as the registered holder of the Global Note. Neither we, the Trustee nor any of our or its agents will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests.

        Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.

        Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC's procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way under the rules and operating procedures of those systems.

        Subject to compliance with applicable transfer restrictions, cross-market transfers between DTC participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected within DTC through the DTC participants that are acting as depositaries for Euroclear and Clearstream. To deliver or receive an interest in a Global Note held in a Euroclear or Clearstream account, an investor must send transfer instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, under the rules and procedures of that system and within the established deadlines of that system. If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will send instructions to its DTC depositary to take action to effect final settlement by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment under normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream

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participants may not deliver instructions directly to the DTC depositaries that are acting for Euroclear or Clearstream.

        Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant that purchases an interest in a Global Note from a DTC participant will be credited on the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream immediately following the DTC settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream from the sale of an interest in a Global Note to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following the DTC settlement date.

        DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the above procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in those settlement systems. However, the settlement systems are not obligated to perform these procedures and may discontinue or change these procedures at any time. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Certificated Notes

        Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:

        In all cases, certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of certain United States federal income and estate tax considerations relating to the exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes and to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Exchange Notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations, rulings and pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), and judicial decisions as of the date of this prospectus. These authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those described herein. Except for the discussion below entitled "Exchange of Notes," this summary is addressed only to persons who hold the Exchange Notes as capital assets and who acquire the Exchange Notes in a cash purchase from one or more of the initial purchasers of the Outstanding Notes in the first sale of such Exchange Notes by such initial purchaser after the Exchange Notes are first registered with the SEC. This summary does not address tax considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction or the effect of any tax treaty. In addition, this discussion does not address tax considerations that are the result of a holder's particular circumstances or of special rules, such as those that apply to holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, financial institutions, tax exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers or traders in securities or commodities, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, United States Holders (as defined below) whose "functional currency" is not the U.S. dollar, certain former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States, or persons who will hold the Exchange Notes as a position in a hedging transaction, "straddle" or "conversion transaction." If a partnership holds Exchange Notes, then the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner should consult its tax advisor as to its consequences. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and conclusions reached in this summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with these statements and conclusions.

        INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF EXCHANGE NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS TO ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

Exchange of Notes

        We believe that the receipt of Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer should not be treated as a taxable exchange for United States federal income tax purposes because the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes are not materially different in kind or in extent, and as a result on the receipt of Exchange Notes in exchange for Outstanding Notes in the exchange offer you should not recognize gain or loss, your initial tax basis in the Exchange Notes should be the same as your adjusted tax basis in the Outstanding Notes immediately before such exchange, and your holding period for the Exchange Notes should include your holding period for the Outstanding Notes.

United States Holders

        As used in this discussion, "United States Holder" means a beneficial owner of Exchange Notes that for United States federal income tax purposes is:

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        Interest on Exchange Notes generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued in accordance with your ordinary method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. In certain circumstances (see, for example, "Description of the Exchange Notes—Registration Rights; Special Interest"), we may pay amounts on the Exchange Notes that are in excess of the stated interest or principal of the Exchange Notes. We believe that the possibility that any such payment will be made is remote so that such possibility will not affect the timing or amount of interest income that you recognize unless and until any such payment is made. Our determination that these contingencies are remote is binding on you unless you disclose your contrary position to the IRS in the manner that is required by applicable Treasury regulations. Our determination is not, however, binding on the IRS. It is possible that the IRS might take a different position from that described above, in which case the timing, character and amount of taxable income in respect of the Exchange Notes may be different from that described herein.

        Under the market discount rules of the Code, a United States Holder who purchases Exchange Notes at a market discount will generally be required to treat any gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Exchange Notes as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount that has not been previously included in income. A disposition of Exchange Notes by gift, and certain other dispositions that would normally qualify for nonrecognition treatment, will also require a holder to include accrued market discount in income to the same extent as if the holder had sold the Exchange Notes at their fair market value in a taxable transaction. Market discount is generally defined as the amount by which the United States Holder's purchase price for Exchange Notes is less than the Exchange Notes' stated redemption price at maturity (generally, the Exchange Notes' principal amount) on the date of purchase, subject to a statutory de minimis exception. In general, market discount accrues on a ratable basis over the remaining term of the Exchange Notes unless the United States Holder makes an irrevocable election to accrue market discount on a constant yield to maturity basis. A United States Holder who acquires Exchange Notes at a market discount may be required to defer a portion of any interest expense that otherwise may be deductible on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such Exchange Notes until the United States Holder disposes of the Exchange Notes. A United States Holder who has elected to include market discount in income annually as such discount accrues will not be required to treat any gain realized on disposition as ordinary income or to defer any deductions for interest expense under these rules. This election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.

        United States Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the portion of any gain that would be taxable as ordinary income under the market discount rules, applicable elections, and any other consequences of the market discount rules that may apply to them in particular.

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        A United States Holder who purchases Exchange Notes for an amount in excess of their principal amount will be considered to have purchased the Exchange Notes at a premium. A United States Holder may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of the Exchange Notes on a constant yield to maturity basis, except that, in some cases, amortizable bond premium may be determined by reference to an early call date. The amount amortized in any year will be treated as a reduction of the United States Holder's interest income from the Exchange Notes. A United States Holder who elects to amortize any premium on Exchange Notes must reduce its tax basis in the Exchange Notes by the amount of the premium amortized in any year. An election to amortize premium applies to all taxable debt obligations held by the United States Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies and to all such obligations thereafter acquired by the United States Holder and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. Premium on Exchange Notes held by a United States Holder who does not make such an election will decrease the gain or increase the loss otherwise recognized on the disposition of the Exchange Notes.

        Under applicable Treasury regulations, a United States Holder may elect to include stated interest on the Exchange Notes in income on a constant yield basis. Such an election could, in some instances, affect the timing of the inclusion of interest income and the treatment of market discount or amortizable bond premium. United States Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the desirability and effects of such an election.

        Except as described above with respect to market discount, upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of Exchange Notes, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between:

        Any gain or loss that is recognized on the disposition of the Exchange Notes generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the Exchange Notes for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates and trusts are generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15%; however, under current law the rate is scheduled to revert to 20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

        In general, information reporting is required as to certain payments of principal and interest on the Exchange Notes and on the disposition of Exchange Notes unless you are a corporation or other exempt person. In addition, you will be subject to backup withholding if you are not exempt and you fail to properly furnish a taxpayer identification number or if the IRS has notified you that you are subject to backup withholding.

        Any amount withheld from a payment under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

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Non-United States Holders

        As used in this tax discussion, "non-United States Holder" means any beneficial owner (other than a partnership) of Exchange Notes that is not a United States Holder. The rules governing the United States federal income taxation of a non-United States Holder are complex, and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a summary of certain of those rules. NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND OTHER TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS FOREIGN TAX LAWS, INCLUDING ANY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

        Interest on Exchange Notes that you receive will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax if the interest is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States and if you qualify for the portfolio interest exception. You will qualify for the portfolio interest exception if you:

        You may meet the certification requirement listed above by providing to us or our agent a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN. If the portfolio interest exception is not available to you, then payments of interest on the Exchange Notes may be subject to United States federal income tax (which may be collected by withholding) at a rate of 30 percent or such lower rate as is provided by an applicable treaty.

        Interest that is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States) is not subject to withholding if you provide a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI. However, you will generally be subject to United States federal income tax on such interest on a net income basis at rates applicable to United States persons generally. In addition, if you are a foreign corporation you may incur a branch profits tax on such interest.

        You will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of Exchange Notes unless the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States), or you are an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year in which such disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met. However, to the extent that the proceeds of disposition represent interest accruing between interest payment dates, you may be required to establish an exemption from United States federal income tax. See "—Non-United States Holders—Payment of Interest."

        Exchange Notes beneficially owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as defined for United States federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will generally not

98


be includable in the decedent's gross estate for United States federal estate tax purposes, provided that the beneficial owner did not at the time of death actually or constructively own 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote, and provided that, at the time of the holder's death, payments with respect to such Exchange Notes would not have been effectively connected with the holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

        Payments to a non-United States Holder of interest on Exchange Notes, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported to the IRS and to the non-United States Holder.

        United States backup withholding tax generally will not apply to payments of interest and principal on Exchange Notes to a non-United States Holder if the statement described in "—Non-United States Holders—Payment of Interest" is duly provided by the holder or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption, provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a United States person.

        Payment of the proceeds of a sale of Exchange Notes effected by the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting requirements and backup withholding unless you properly certify under penalties of perjury as to your foreign status and certain other conditions are met or you otherwise establish an exemption. Information reporting requirements and backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds of the sale of Exchange Notes effected outside the United States by a foreign office of a broker. However, unless such a broker has documentary evidence in its records that you are a non-United States Holder and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the sale of Exchange Notes effected outside the United States by such a broker if it:

        Any amount withheld from a payment under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that you may transfer Exchange Notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for the Outstanding Notes if:

        We believe that you may not transfer Exchange Notes issued in the exchange offer in exchange for the Outstanding Notes if you are:


        If you wish to exchange your Outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes in the exchange offer, you will be required to make representations to us as described above under "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering—Your Representations to Us" of this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes in the exchange offer in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired by you for your own account as a result of market-making or other trading activities, you must acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those Exchange Notes.

        This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Outstanding Notes where such Outstanding Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of up to 180 days after the expiration date of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until                        , 2005, all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

        Broker-dealers who use this prospectus in connection with resales of Exchange Notes may be required to suspend use of this prospectus under various circumstances, including:

100


        We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by broker-dealers. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account in the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions:

        The prices at which these sales occur may be at:

        Any resales may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from the selling broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of the Exchange Notes. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account in the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. Any profit on any resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or concessions received by these persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

        For a period of 180 days after the expiration date of the exchange offer (or such earlier date as eligible broker-dealers no longer own Exchange Notes), we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any eligible broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incidental to the exchange offer, other than commissions and concessions of any brokers or dealers. We also have agreed that we will indemnify specified holders of the Exchange Notes, including broker-dealers, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ON OUTSTANDING NOTES

        The Outstanding Notes were not registered under the Securities Act. Accordingly, we offered and sold the Outstanding Notes only in private sales exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act:

You may not offer or sell those Outstanding Notes in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in transactions exempt from or not subject to the Securities Act registration requirements.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters in connection with the issuance of the Exchange Notes will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas.


EXPERTS

        The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

        Certain information with respect to the oil and natural gas reserves associated with our oil and natural gas properties is derived from the reports of Ryder Scott Company, L.P. and Miller and Lents, Ltd., independent petroleum engineers, and has been included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus upon the authority of said firms as experts with respect to matters covered by such reports and in giving such reports.

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LOGO

Pogo Producing Company

$300,000,000

Offer to Exchange
registered
6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
for all outstanding
6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015



Prospectus






PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the corporation's request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

        Section 145 of the DGCL further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145.

        Article XI of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pogo eliminates the personal liability of each of our directors to Pogo and its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director involving any act or omission of any such director occurring on or after September 30, 1986; provided, however, that such provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of such director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Title 8, Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which such director derived an improper personal benefit.

        Our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as in effect as of the date of the adoption of the Bylaws or as it may thereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "proceeding") by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Pogo or is or was serving at our request as a director,

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officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Bylaws further provide that we will indemnify a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by our Board of Directors.

        The Bylaws further provide that we will pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer (except with regard to service to an employee benefit plan or non-profit organizations in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding) will be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the director or officer to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified.

        We have placed in effect insurance which purports (a) to insure Pogo against certain costs of indemnification which may be incurred by it pursuant to the aforementioned Bylaw provision or otherwise and (b) to insure the officers and directors of Pogo and of specified subsidiaries against certain liabilities incurred by them in the discharge of their functions as officers and directors.


Item 21. Exhibits

        (a)   Exhibits

Exhibit No.
  Exhibit
   
3.1*   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pogo (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2004).    

3.2*

 

Bylaws of Pogo, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2002, filed with the SEC on July 25, 2002).

 

 

4.1*

 

Indenture, dated as of March 29, 2005, between Pogo and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2005).

 

 

4.2*

 

Form of 6.625% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 to Cede & Co. or its registered assigns (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 above).

 

 

4.3*

 

Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 29, 2005, by and among Pogo and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2005).

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.

 

 

12.1

 

Statement showing computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

23.3

 

Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.

 

 

23.4

 

Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

 

 

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).

 

 
         

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25.1

 

Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee for 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, on Form T-1.

 

 

99.1

 

Form of Letter to Depository Trust Company Participants.

 

 

99.2

 

Form of Letter to Clients.

 

 

99.3

 

Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

 

99.4

 

Form of Letter of Transmittal.

 

 

*
Incorporated by reference to the filing indicated.


Item 22. Undertakings

        (a)   The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrants pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

        (b)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, such registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,

II-3


therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by any registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, such registrant will, unless, in the opinion of its counsel, the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

        (c)   The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

        (d)   The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on June 24, 2005.

    POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
    (Registrant)

 

 

By:

/s/  
PAUL G. VAN WAGENEN      
Paul G. Van Wagenen
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Paul G. Van Wagenen, James P. Ulm, II and Michael J. Killelea, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, of the registrant, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and all documents or instruments necessary or appropriate to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 24, 2005.

Signature
  Title

 

 

 
/s/  PAUL G. VAN WAGENEN      
Paul G. Van Wagenen
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/  
JAMES P. ULM, II      
James P. Ulm, II

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/  
THOMAS E. HART      
Thomas E. Hart

 

Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/  
JERRY M. ARMSTRONG      
Jerry M. Armstrong

 

Director

/s/  
THOMAS A. FRY, III      
Thomas A. Fry, III

 

Director

/s/  
CARROLL W. SUGGS      
Carroll W. Suggs

 

Director

/s/  
STEPHEN A. WELLS      
Stephen A. Wells

 

Director

II-6



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
  Exhibit
   
3.1*   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pogo (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2004, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2004).    

3.2*

 

Bylaws of Pogo, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2002, filed with the SEC on July 25, 2002).

 

 

4.1*

 

Indenture, dated as of March 29, 2005, between Pogo and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2005).

 

 

4.2*

 

Form of 6.625% Senior Subordinated Note due 2015 to Cede & Co. or its registered assigns (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 above).

 

 

4.3*

 

Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 29, 2005, by and among Pogo and the other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Pogo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2005).

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.

 

 

12.1

 

Statement showing computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

23.3

 

Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.

 

 

23.4

 

Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

 

 

24.1

 

Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).

 

 

25.1

 

Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee for 6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015, on Form T-1.

 

 

99.1

 

Form of Letter to Depository Trust Company Participants.

 

 

99.2

 

Form of Letter to Clients.

 

 

99.3

 

Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

 

99.4

 

Form of Letter of Transmittal.

 

 

*
Incorporated by reference to the filing indicated.



QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
Pogo Producing Company
The Exchange Offer
The Exchange Agent
Terms of the Exchange Notes
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Selected Production (Sales) Data
Summary of Reserve Information
RISK FACTORS
PRIVATE PLACEMENT
USE OF PROCEEDS
CAPITALIZATION
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ON OUTSTANDING NOTES
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX