SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
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[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12
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[HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.]
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., will be held at The Philbrook Museum of Art, Patti Johnson Wilson Hall, 2727 South Rockford Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma, at 12:00 noon, Tulsa time, on Wednesday, March 4, 1998, for the following purposes:
1. To elect three Directors comprising the class of Directors of the Corporation known as the "First Class" for a three-year term expiring in 2001.
2. To consider and transact any other business which properly may come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
In accordance with the By-Laws, the close of business on January 9, 1998, has been fixed as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, said meeting. The stock transfer books will not close.
The Corporation's Proxy Statement is submitted herewith. The annual report for the year ended September 30, 1997, has been mailed previously to all stockholders.
STOCKHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND IN PERSON, BUT WISH THEIR STOCK TO BE VOTED ON MATTERS TO BE TRANSACTED, ARE URGED TO SIGN, DATE, AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE, TO WHICH NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR SIGNED PROXY, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU HOLD, WILL AID THE CORPORATION IN REDUCING THE EXPENSE OF ADDITIONAL PROXY SOLICITATION. THE GIVING OF SUCH PROXY DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PERSON IN THE EVENT YOU ATTEND THE MEETING.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ STEVEN R. MACKEY
STEVEN R. MACKEY
Secretary
Tulsa, Oklahoma
January 27, 1998
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The enclosed proxy is being solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (the "Corporation"), and will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on March 4, 1998. This statement and the accompanying proxy are first being sent or given to stockholders on or about January 27, 1998.
Any stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by delivery of a later-dated proxy.
The cost of this solicitation will be paid by the Corporation. In addition to solicitation by mail, arrangements may be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy material to their principals. The Corporation does not intend to cause a solicitation to be made by specially engaged employees or other paid solicitors.
On December 3, 1997, the Board of Directors declared a 2-for-1 split of the Corporation's common stock with a record date of December 15, 1997. The number and price of shares of common stock and the number, exercise price and value of stock options referenced in this Proxy Statement have been adjusted to give full effect to such stock split.
At the close of business on January 9, 1998, there were 53,528,952 issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of the Corporation, the holders of which, except the Corporation which is the holder of 3,261,734 shares of treasury stock, are entitled to one vote per share on all matters. There is no other class of securities of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on January 9, 1998, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth the name and address of each stockholder of the Corporation who, to the knowledge of the Corporation, beneficially owns more than 5% of the Corporation's common stock, the number of shares beneficially owned by each, and the percentage of outstanding stock so owned, as of January 9, 1998.
AMOUNT
AND
NATURE OF PERCENT
TITLE NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIAL OF
OF CLASS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS
-------- ------------------- ------------ -------
Common Stock State Farm Mutual Automobile
Insurance Company
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, Illinois 61710 4,128,600 8.213%
Common Stock The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071 3,926,200(2) 7.811%
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(1) Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly by the named person or entity, with such person or entity possessing sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
(2) The Capital Group Companies, Inc., is the parent holding company of a group of investment management companies that hold investment power and, in some cases, voting power of the shares. The investment management companies, which include a "bank" as defined in Section 3(a)6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and several investment advisors registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisor's Act of 1940, provide investment advisory and management services for their respective clients which include registered investment companies and institutional accounts. The Capital Group Companies, Inc. does not have investment power or voting power over any of the shares; however, The Capital Group Companies, Inc. may be deemed to "beneficially own" such securities by virtue of Rule 13d-3 under the Act. This information is based upon The Capital Group Companies, Inc.'s Schedule 13G dated February 12, 1997.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the total number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each of the present Directors and nominees, the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the other four most highly compensated executive officers (the Chief Executive Officer and other four most highly compensated executive officers collectively, the "named executive officers"), and all directors and executive officers as a group, and the percent of the outstanding common stock so owned by each as of January 9, 1998.
AMOUNT AND
NATURE OF PERCENT
DIRECTORS AND NAMED BENEFICIAL OF
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS TITLE OF CLASS OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS(2)
------------------- -------------- ------------ --------
W. H. Helmerich, III Common Stock 2,319,936(3) 4.615%
Hans Helmerich Common Stock 313,410(4)
George S. Dotson Common Stock 179,868(5)
Steven R. Shaw Common Stock 79,112(6)
Douglas E. Fears Common Stock 55,832(7)
Steven R. Mackey Common Stock 19,422(8)
L. F. Rooney, III Common Stock 5,600
John D. Zeglis Common Stock 4,600
Glenn A. Cox Common Stock 3,600(9)
George A. Schaefer Common Stock 3,600
William L. Armstrong Common Stock 3,600
Edward B. Rust, Jr. Common Stock 1,000
All Directors and
Executive Officers
as a Group (13) Common Stock 2,994,702(10) 5.94%
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(1) Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly by the named person, and he has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.
(2) Percentage calculation not included if beneficial ownership is less than one percent of class.
(3) Includes 200,000 shares owned by The Helmerich Foundation, an Oklahoma charitable trust, for which Mr. Helmerich is Trustee, and 20,000 shares owned by Ivy League, Inc., of which Mr. Helmerich is President and Director. Mr. Helmerich possesses sole voting and investment power over all indirectly owned shares.
(4) Includes options to purchase 51,800 shares exercisable within 60 days; 7,398 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of September 30, 1997; 21,150 shares owned by Mr. Hans Helmerich's wife, with respect to which he has disclaimed all beneficial ownership; 14,800 shares held by Mr. Helmerich as Trustee for various trusts for members of his immediate family, as to which he has sole voting and investment power; 2,000 shares held by Mr. Helmerich as a Co-trustee for a family trust for which he shares voting and investment power; and 15,000 shares held by The Helmerich Trust, an Oklahoma charitable trust, for which Mr. Helmerich is a Co-trustee, and for which he shares voting and investment power.
(5) Includes options to purchase 39,400 shares exercisable within 60 days; 13,910 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of September 30, 1997; 1,300 shares held in a trust for a family member for which Mr. Dotson, as a Co-trustee, shares voting and investment power; 600 shares held by Mr. Dotson as custodian for one of his children under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act; 900 shares owned by Mr. Dotson's wife, with respect to which he has disclaimed all beneficial ownership; and 12,000 shares owned by The Dotson Family Charitable Foundation, for which Mr. Dotson is Co-Trustee, and for which he shares voting and investment power.
(6) Includes options to purchase 23,800 shares exercisable within 60 days; 6,296 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of September 30, 1997; and 1,000 shares held by Mr. Shaw as custodian for his daughter.
(7) Includes options to purchase 16,000 shares exercisable within 60 days; 2,030 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of September 30, 1997; and 1,000 shares owned by Joseph's Storehouse, a charitable foundation, for which Mr. Fears is Co-Trustee, and for which he shares voting and investment power.
(8) Includes options to purchase 16,000 shares exercisable within 60 days; and 1,822 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of September 30, 1997.
(9) Includes 2,000 shares held in a revocable trust known as the Glenn A. Cox Trust, UTA, with respect to which voting and investment power are shared with Mr. Cox's wife.
(10) Includes options to purchase 150,828 shares exercisable within 60 days; and 32,750 shares fully vested under the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of September 30, 1997.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Corporation ("Board") is divided into three classes--First Class, Second Class, and Third Class--whose terms expire in different years. The terms of the Directors of the First Class expire this year, and their successors are to be elected at this Annual Meeting. The terms of the Directors of the Second Class and the Third Class do not expire until 1999 and 2000, respectively, and consequently their successors are not to be elected at this Annual Meeting. Upon the conclusion of this Annual Meeting, the First, Second and Third Classes of Directors will be comprised of three Directors each.
The Directors belonging to the Second Class and the Third Class, which are not coming up for election at this meeting, and the Nominees for Directors of the First Class, are as follows:
DIRECTORS OF THE SECOND CLASS
YEAR
EXPIRATION FIRST
OF PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME
NAME AGE TERM AND CURRENT DIRECTORSHIPS DIRECTOR
---- --- ---------- ------------------------- --------
John D. Zeglis 50 1999 President of American Telephone and 1989
Telegraph Company (telecommunications
----------------- services). Director of American Telephone
Photo Omitted and Telegraph Company; Illinova Corp.; and
----------------- Illinois Power Co.
William L. 60 1999 Chairman of Transland Financial Services, 1992
Armstrong Inc. (mortgage banking); Cherry Creek
Mortgage Company (mortgage banking); and
----------------- Frontier Real Estate, Inc. (residential
Photo Omitted real estate brokerage). Director of The
----------------- Provident Companies and Storage Technology
Corp.
L. F. Rooney, III 44 1999 Chairman, Manhattan Construction Company 1996
(construction and construction management
----------------- services) and President of Rooney Brothers
Photo Omitted Company (holding company with interests in
----------------- construction, electronics and building
components). Director of BOK Financial
Corp. and Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.
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DIRECTORS OF THE THIRD CLASS
YEAR
EXPIRATION FIRST
OF PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME
NAME AGE TERM AND CURRENT DIRECTORSHIPS DIRECTOR
---- --- ---------- ------------------------- ---------------
W. H. Helmerich, III 75 2000 Chairman of the Board of the Corporation. 1949
Director of Atwood Oceanics, Inc.
------------------
Photo Omitted
------------------
Glenn A. Cox 68 2000 Retired President and Chief Operating 1992
Officer of Phillips Petroleum Company
------------------ (large integrated oil company). Director
Photo Omitted of Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.; BOK Financial
------------------ Corporation; The Williams Companies, Inc.;
and Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc.
Edward B. Rust, Jr. 47 2000 Chairman of the Board and President of State 1997
Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.
------------------
Photo Omitted
------------------
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NOMINEES FOR THE DIRECTORS OF THE FIRST CLASS
YEAR
EXPIRATION FIRST
OF PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION BECAME
NAME AGE TERM AND CURRENT DIRECTORSHIPS DIRECTOR
---- --- ---------- ------------------------- ---------------
Hans Helmerich 39 1998 President of the Corporation and Chief 1987
Executive Officer; holds similar positions
------------------ as Chairman or President and as Chief
Photo Omitted Executive Officer of subsidiary companies.
------------------ Director of Atwood Oceanics, Inc.
George S. Dotson 57 1998 Vice President of the Corporation and 1990
President and Chief Operating Officer of
------------------ Helmerich & Payne International Drilling
Photo Omitted Co.; holds similar positions as President
------------------ and Chief Operating Officer of Helmerich &
Payne International Drilling Co.
subsidiary companies. Director of Atwood
Oceanics, Inc. and Varco International,
Inc.
George A. Schaefer 69 1998 Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 1988
of Caterpillar Inc. (Manufacturer of
------------------ earth-moving, construction, and
Photo Omitted materials-handling machinery and
------------------ equipment). Director of Aon Corporation;
Autoliv, Inc.; Morton International; and
Caterpillar Inc.
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With regard to the election of the Directors, stockholders may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold their votes as to all nominees, or withhold their votes as to specific nominees. Unless otherwise specified, the proxies on the enclosed form which are executed and returned will be voted for the nominees listed above as "Nominees for Directors of the First Class." The proxies executed and returned on the enclosed form can be voted only for the named nominees. If any one of the nominees is not a candidate at the Annual Meeting, an event which management does not anticipate, the proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee. The election of Directors will require the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of common stock voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. In all matters other than election of directors, a majority of shares of common stock voting in person or by proxy is required for approval. Abstentions and broker non-votes shall not be counted except for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting.
The Corporation's transfer agent will tabulate all votes which are received prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. The Corporation has appointed two employee inspectors to receive the transfer agent's tabulation, to tabulate all other votes, and to certify the voting results.
The principal occupation of each of the Directors and the Nominees for Directors of the First Class is as set forth in the tables above and has been the same occupation for the past five years except with respect to Mr. John D. Zeglis, who was Senior Vice President - General Counsel and Government Affairs of American Telephone and Telegraph Company prior to October, 1997, and Mr. L. F. Rooney, III who was President of Manhattan Construction Company prior to 1994. Mr. Hans Helmerich is a son of Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III.
ATTENDANCE
There were four regularly scheduled meetings of the Board held during fiscal 1997. No Director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of the meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees held during fiscal 1997.
COMMITTEES
Mr. Glenn A. Cox and Mr. L. F. Rooney, III are members of the Audit Committee. The functions of the Audit Committee include: (i) reviewing with management and the Corporation's independent accountants the scope of the various audits to be conducted during the coming year; (ii) reviewing with management and the independent accountants the results of such audits, including the auditor's comments on the Corporation's accounting policies and the adequacy of the internal controls; (iii) discussing with management and the independent accountants the Corporation's annual financial statements; (iv) reviewing fees paid to, and the scope of services provided by, the independent accountants; (v) reviewing the independence of the independent accountants; (vi) recommending to the Board of Directors the engagement or discharge of the independent accountants; and (vii) monitoring compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. During the year ended September 30, 1997, the Audit Committee held two meetings.
Mr. William L. Armstrong, Mr. George A. Schaefer, and Mr. John D. Zeglis are members of the Human Resources Committee. The functions of the Human Resources Committee are to review and make recommendations or decisions regarding: (i) the election and salaries of officers and key management employees; (ii) bonus awards, stock option plans and awards, and other fringe benefit plans; and (iii) management succession. During the year ended September 30, 1997, the Human Resources Committee held one meeting.
The Corporation does not have a nominating committee. All nominations are presented to the Board.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The information contained in the following Summary Compensation Table for fiscal years 1997, 1996, and 1995 is furnished with respect to the named executive officers.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
---------------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS PAYOUTS
----------------------------------------- ----------------------- -------
(1) (2)
OTHER RESTRICTED SECURITIES (3)
ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL COMPENSATION AWARDS OPTIONS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) ($) ($) (#) ($) ($)
------------------ ---- --------- -------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------- ------------
Hans Helmerich 1997 387,500 260,000 630 -- 70,000 -- 8,000
President and 1996 346,250 200,000 1,085 -- 90,000 -- 7,500
CEO 1995 281,250 150,000 630 -- -- -- 9,240
George S. Dotson 1997 346,634 210,000 450 -- 50,000 -- 8,000
Vice President 1996 313,750 160,000 2,108 -- 60,000 -- 7,500
and President of 1995 252,354 120,000 630 -- -- -- 10,050
Drilling Subsidiary
Steven R. Shaw 1997 235,500 105,000 630 -- 30,000 -- 7,965
Vice President 1996 213,250 80,000 1,237 -- 40,000 -- 7,500
Production 1995 183,375 55,000 630 -- -- -- 10,919
Douglas E. Fears 1997 196,250 65,000 630 -- 20,000 -- 9,271
Vice President 1996 166,250 50,000 666 -- 30,000 -- 10,313
Finance 1995 150,236 40,000 630 -- -- -- 8,351
Steven R. Mackey 1997 173,250 65,000 630 -- 20,000 -- 8,497
Vice President and 1996 164,250 50,000 1,670 -- 30,000 -- 8,915
General Counsel 1995 150,275 35,000 631 -- -- -- 8,264
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(1) The amounts specified in this column represent payments of estimated tax liability with respect to Corporation-provided health and retirement benefits. The aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits was less than either $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus reported for each of the named executive officers.
(2) The references to "SARs" in the Summary Compensation Table and all other tables in this Proxy Statement have been omitted, since the Corporation has never authorized any SARs.
(3) With respect to each of the named executive officers, the amounts specified in this column represent only the Corporation's matching contributions to its 401(k) Plan in behalf of each such executive officer.
STOCK OPTION GRANTS
The following table provides information with respect to stock options granted during fiscal year 1997.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
GRANT DATE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE
-------------------------------------------------- -------------
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL
SECURITIES OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES OR GRANT DATE
GRANTED IN FISCAL BASE PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT VALUE
NAME (#)(1) YEAR ($/SH)(2) DATE $(3)
---- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- -------------
Hans Helmerich............................... 70,000 .1781 26.0625 12/4/06 422,450
George S. Dotson............................. 50,000 .1272 26.0625 12/4/06 301,750
Steven R. Shaw............................... 30,000 .0763 26.0625 12/4/06 181,050
Douglas E. Fears............................. 20,000 .0509 26.0625 12/4/06 120,700
Steven R. Mackey............................. 20,000 .0509 26.0625 12/4/06 120,700
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(1) These options were granted pursuant to the Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan and are nonqualified stock options which vest annually in 20% increments, beginning one year from the date of grant.
(2) The exercise price is the fair market value of the Corporation's stock on the grant date.
(3) The hypothetical present values on grant date were calculated under a modified Black-Scholes model, which is a mathematical formula used to value options. This formula considers a number of factors in hypothesizing an option's present value. Factors used to value the options include the stock's expected annual volatility rate (23.3%), risk free rate of return (6.30%), dividend yield (1.00%), term (10 years), and discounts for forfeiture of unvested shares (25.74%) and reduced term on vested shares (21.70%).
The ultimate values of these options will depend on the future market price of the Corporation's stock, which cannot be forecast with reasonable accuracy. The Corporation does not believe that the Black-Scholes model, whether modified or not modified, or any other valuation model, is a reliable method of computing the present value of the Corporation's employee stock options. The actual value, if any, the optionee will realize will depend on the excess of the market value of the Corporation's stock over the exercise price on the date of exercise.
OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the named executive officers of the Corporation concerning the exercise of options during the last fiscal year and unexercised options held as of the end of the fiscal year.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-money
Options at Options at
FY-End(#) FY-End($)(1)
Shares Acquired Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name on Exercise(#) Value Realized($) Unexercisable Unexercisable(2)
---- --------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------------
Hans Helmerich........................... 10,452 135,406 1,800/ 52,425/
170,200 3,584,650
George S. Dotson......................... 6,852 97,856 5,400/ 157,275/
120,200 2,527,900
Steven R. Shaw........................... 10,452 149,011 1,800/ 52,425/
80,200 1,727,150
Douglas E. Fears......................... 6,000 79,462 5,400/ 157,275/
60,200 1,327,775
Steven R. Mackey......................... 6,342 68,521 1,800/ 52,425/
60,200 1,327,775
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(1) Fair market value used for computations in this column was $40.00 per share, which was the closing price of the Corporation's common stock on September 30, 1997.
(2) The incentive stock option plan pursuant to which certain options noted in this table were granted contains a cumulative restriction feature requiring sequential exercise of options granted under such plan.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
There were no long-term incentive plan awards to the named executive officers in the last fiscal year.
PENSION PLANS
The pension plan benefit under the Corporation's retirement plan is calculated pursuant to the following formula:
Compensation X 1.5% = Annual Pension Benefit.
Pension benefits, which are accrued annually, are determined based on
compensation received throughout a participant's career. "Compensation" includes
salary, bonus, vacation pay, sick pay, Section 401(k) elective deferrals, and
Section 125 "cafeteria plan" deferrals. Therefore, the pension benefit is not
determined primarily by final compensation and years of service.
Based upon this formula, an assumed annual salary growth rate of 6%, and an age 62 retirement date, the estimated annual benefits payable to each named executive officer at retirement are:
ANNUAL
CURRENT RETIREMENT
NAME AGE BENEFIT(1)
---- ------- ----------
Hans Helmerich.............................................. 39 $503,598
George S. Dotson............................................ 57 $146,855
Steven R. Shaw.............................................. 47 $142,632
Douglas E. Fears............................................ 48 $106,146
Steven R. Mackey............................................ 47 $107,364
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(1) The annual retirement benefit has not been reduced for statutory compensation and benefit limits, as amounts over these limits would be payable pursuant to the Supplemental Retirement Income Plan for Salaried Employees of Helmerich & Payne, Inc. The benefits listed above are computed as a straight single life annuity and are not subject to any reduction for Social Security or other offset amounts.
REPORT ON REPRICING OF OPTIONS
There were no adjustments or amendments to the exercise price of stock options previously awarded to any of the named executive officers during the last fiscal year.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During fiscal 1997, the members of the Corporation's Human Resources Committee (which functions as the Corporation's compensation committee) were Mr. William L. Armstrong, George A. Schaefer, and Mr. John D. Zeglis. No executive officer of the Corporation has any relationship covered by the Compensation Committee Interlock regulations.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-OF-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Helmerich & Payne, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan and the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan contain a provision whereby all stock options will automatically become fully vested and immediately exercisable in the event of a "change of control" of the Corporation, as defined in such plans.
If a named executive officer dies prior to age 65 while employed by the Corporation or after having retired under the Corporation's pension plan, then pursuant to an agreement with each named executive officer the
surviving spouse of such deceased executive will be paid $2,250 per month for 120 consecutive months, commencing upon the date of death. Alternatively, if the named executive officer remains in the employment of the Corporation until age 65 or has retired under the provisions of the Corporation's pension plan, then commencing on his 65th birthday such executive officer shall be paid $225 per month for 120 consecutive months.
HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT
Decisions with regard to the compensation of the Corporation's executive officers are generally made by the Human Resources Committee of the Board ("Committee"). Each member of the Committee is a non-employee director. Decisions about awards under the Corporation's stock-based compensation plans are made by the Committee and reported to the Board. All other decisions by the Committee relating to compensation of the Corporation's executive officers are reviewed and approved by the Board. Generally, the Committee meets in December following the end of a particular fiscal year to consider prospective calendar-year salary adjustments, as well as to consider bonus compensation for executive officers for the prior fiscal year.
Executive Officer Compensation Policies
The Corporation's executive compensation policies are designed to provide competitive levels of compensation that integrate pay with the Corporation's performance, recognize individual initiative and achievements, and assist the Corporation in attracting and retaining qualified executives. The Committee relies in large part on compensation studies for the determination of competitive compensation. These studies include salary and bonus compensation data from several competitor companies including certain of those companies contained within the S&P Oil & Gas (Drilling & Equipment) - 500 Index on page 15 of this Proxy Statement. Also, when the Committee contemplates the awarding of stock options or restricted stock to its executives, it considers the nature and amount of stock awards made by competitor companies to their executive officers. In order to implement these objectives, the Corporation has developed a straightforward compensation package consisting of salary, annual bonus, and periodic awards of stock options and/or restricted stock. Each element of the compensation package serves a particular purpose. Salary and bonus are primarily designed to reward current and past performance. Awards of stock options and restricted stock are primarily designed to tie a portion of each executive's compensation to long-term future performance of the Corporation. The Committee believes that stock ownership by management through stock-based compensation arrangements is beneficial in aligning management's and stockholders' interests. The value of these awards will increase or decrease based upon the future price of the Corporation's stock. Base salaries are conservatively set to recognize individual performance while attempting to approximate the average level of base salaries among the Corporation's competitors. Annual bonuses to executive officers are awarded based upon corporate performance criteria, competitive considerations, and the Committee's subjective determination of individual performance.
In determining total executive compensation for fiscal 1997, the Committee
considered the Corporation's overall historical performance and its future
objectives, together with fiscal 1997 corporate performance. The Committee
believes that this policy provides a certain degree of stability in executive
compensation considering the cyclical nature of the Corporation's businesses.
Within this framework, the Committee considered several equally weighted
corporate and divisional performance objectives in making its compensation
decisions in fiscal 1997. The performance objectives applicable to the entire
corporation were: earnings
per share; net income as a percentage of invested capital; and status of the Corporation's competitive position. The divisional objectives were: cash flow from operations; return on invested capital; after-tax income; and reserve replacement. The Committee determined that each of these performance objectives had been met or exceeded during fiscal 1997.
Each of the executive officers was assigned a 1997 target bonus award expressed as a percentage of base salary. Each of the executive officers was also assigned a corporate and/or divisional performance weighting percentage based upon each officer's corporate and/or divisional responsibilities. Whether an executive officer earns more than or all or a portion of his target bonus award depends upon satisfaction of performance objectives, corporate and/or divisional weighting and the Committee's subjective determination of individual performance.
During fiscal 1997, stock options were awarded to the executive officers and other key employees. In making these stock option awards, the Committee considered both individual performance and the amount of stock option awards made by competitors.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that certain
compensation to certain executive officers in excess of $1 million will not be
deductible for federal income tax purposes. The current compensation levels of
the Corporation's executive officers, as defined in Section 162(m), are well
below the $1 million threshold. In the event that the Corporation's compensation
levels approach the $1 million deduction cap, the Committee will further analyze
Section 162(m) and take such action as it deems appropriate.
Compensation Paid to the Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Helmerich's compensation is determined in the same manner as described for the other executive officers. In fiscal 1997, Mr. Helmerich earned a $260,000 bonus and a 11.91% salary increase. In addition, the Corporation awarded Mr. Helmerich stock options to purchase 70,000 shares of stock. The increase in CEO cash compensation and the award of stock options were made in light of the significant increase in the Corporation's per share earnings during fiscal 1997 and the Committee's subjective assessment of Mr. Helmerich's performance as CEO.
SUBMITTED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
William L. Armstrong George A. Schaefer John D. Zeglis
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph reflects the yearly percentage change in the Corporation's cumulative total stockholder return on common stock as compared with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Oil & Gas (Drilling & Equipment) - 500 Index. All cumulative returns assume reinvestment of dividends and are calculated on a fiscal year basis ending on September 30 of each year.
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN ON COMMON STOCK
MEASUREMENT PERIOD BASE
(FISCAL YEAR PERIOD
COVERED) SEP92 SEP93 SEP94 SEP95 SEP96 SEP97
HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC. 100.00 127.97 107.80 109.73 172.79 319.93
S&P 500 INDEX 100.00 113.00 117.17 152.02 182.93 256.92
S&P OIL&GAS (DRILLING
& EQUIP)- 500 INDEX 100.00 104.66 90.52 108.53 145.57 267.77
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors' Stock Compensation Plan, each non-employee Director of the Corporation receives a minimum of 800 shares, subject to a maximum of 1,600 shares, of the Corporation's common stock as a retainer fee in lieu of a cash retainer payment. In addition, each non-employee Director receives a $2,500 attendance fee for each regularly scheduled meeting that he attends, plus expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings. Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III receives no compensation from the Corporation for serving as its Chairman of the Board, nor do the employee Directors receive compensation for serving on the Board of Directors.
Members of the Corporation's Audit Committee and the Human Resources Committee receive a fee of $500 per meeting attended, plus expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings. It is anticipated that there will be four regularly scheduled meetings of the Board during fiscal 1998.
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III, Chairman of the Board, retired from the Corporation in December of 1989. Pursuant to a consulting agreement with the Corporation, he receives $154,800 per year for a one-year term commencing January 1, 1990, plus reimbursement of reasonable business, travel, and other expenses in consideration of his agreement to provide advisory and consulting services (exclusive of services rendered by Mr. Helmerich as Chairman of the Board) to the Corporation. The consulting agreement is automatically renewed for successive one-year terms unless terminated by the Corporation or Mr. W. H. Helmerich, III.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, all reports were filed on a timely basis with the Securities and Exchange Commission except that Mr. George S. Dotson, a Vice President and Director of the Corporation, amended, on October 10, 1997, an otherwise timely filed Form 4 which omitted reporting the exercise, on June 19, 1997, of a stock option for 6,852 shares.
In making these disclosures, the Corporation has relied solely upon the written representations of its Directors and executive officers, and copies of the reports they have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The independent public accounting firm selected by the Corporation for the current year which audited the accounts of the Corporation for the fiscal year most recently completed is Ernst & Young LLP. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the stockholders' meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate questions.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Corporation's annual meeting for 1999 will be held Wednesday, March 3, 1999. Any stockholder wishing to submit a proposal to the vote of the stockholders at such 1999 annual meeting must submit such proposal or proposals in writing to the Corporation at its executive office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Attention: Corporate Secretary, on or before September 30, 1998.
OTHER MATTERS
As of this date, management knows of no business which will come before the meeting other than that set forth in the notice of said meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote on it in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ STEVEN R. MACKEY
STEVEN R. MACKEY
Secretary
Dated: January 27, 1998
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
MARCH 4, 1998
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
[HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC. LOGO
OMITTED]
HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
Utica at Twenty First
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114
APPENDIX TO ELECTRONIC FILING
LIST OF IMAGE INFORMATION NOT FILED ELECTRONICALLY
Photographs of the Directors and Nominees for Directors have been omitted from Pages 5 through 7 of this Proxy Statement.
A graphic representation of the Performance Graph described on Page 15 of this Proxy Statement has been omitted.
Proxy for Annual Meeting is filed herewith as an appendix.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC. DIRECTORS.
--------------------------------------- The undersigned hereby appoints as his/her proxies, with
powers of substitution and revocation, W. H. Helmerich, III,
Hans Helmerich, and Steven R. Mackey, or each of them (the
"Proxies"), to vote all shares of Helmerich & Payne, Inc.,
which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Helmerich & Payne, Inc., to be held
at The Philbrook Museum Of Art, Patti Johnson Wilson Hall,
2727 South Rockford Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Wednesday, March
4, 1998, at 12:00 noon, Tulsa time, and all adjournments
thereof.
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1. Nominees for Directors of the "First Class" for a three-year term are Hans
Helmerich, George S. Dotson and George A. Schaefer. DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A
VOTE FOR ITEM 1.
[ ] FOR all listed nominees [ ]WITHHOLD vote from [ ]WITHHOLD vote only from
all listed nominees
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2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
(Continued on Next Page)
(Continued from First Page)
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WISHES OF THE STOCKHOLDER AS SPECIFIED IN THE SQUARES AND ON THE LINE PROVIDED ON THE REVERSE SIDE HEREOF; HOWEVER, IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE IN THE SQUARES OR ON THE LINE PROVIDED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE FULL SLATE OF DIRECTORS.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Dated: , 1998.