POGO PRODUCING CO
S-3/A, 1999-05-03
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 30, 1999.
    
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-75105
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333-75105-01
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333-75105-02
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
    
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                             POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
                                  POGO TRUST I
                                 POGO TRUST II
 
           (Exact name of Registrants as specified in their charters)
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
                      DELAWARE                                             74-1659398
                      DELAWARE                                             76-6147691
                      DELAWARE                                             76-6147690
  (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
                    organization)
                                                                     GERALD A. MORTON, ESQ.
                                                                      VICE PRESIDENT--LAW
                                                                    AND CORPORATE SECRETARY
                 5 GREENWAY PLAZA,                                   POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
                     SUITE 2700                                   5 GREENWAY PLAZA, SUITE 2700
                HOUSTON, TEXAS 77046                                  HOUSTON, TEXAS 77046
                   (713) 297-5000                                        (713) 297-5017
                (713) 297-4900 (FAX)                                  (713) 297-4970 (FAX)
 
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,    (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
                      including                                              number,
   area code, of Registrants' principal executive          including area code, of agent for service)
                       offices)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                    COPY TO:
                            Stephen A. Massad, Esq.
                             Baker & Botts, L.L.P.
                              3000 One Shell Plaza
                                 910 Louisiana
                           Houston, Texas 77002-4995
                                 (713) 229-1234
                              (713) 229-1522 (Fax)
                           --------------------------
 
    Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
    If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. /X/
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. / /
 
   
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
    
                           --------------------------
 
   
    THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
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 OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
   
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
    
 
   
    The registration statement contains two forms of prospectuses to be used in
connection with offerings of the following securities:
    
 
   
(1) Common stock, debt securities (consisting of senior debt securities and
    subordinated debt securities), and preferred stock of Pogo Producing
    Company. Common stock is being registered solely for issuance upon
    conversion of any securities sold under this registration statement that are
    convertible into common stock.
    
 
   
(2) Preferred securities of Pogo Trust I or Pogo Trust II, junior subordinated
    debt securities of Pogo Producing Company and the guarantees by Pogo
    Producing Company of preferred securities issued by Pogo Trust I or Pogo
    Trust II.
    
<PAGE>
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 30, 1999
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $250,000,000
                             POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
 
   
                                Debt Securities
                                Preferred Stock
                                  Common Stock
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
 
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK         THE OFFERING
FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 3.        Pogo Producing Company may offer:
The information in this prospectus  -   our senior unsecured debt securities,
is not complete and may be          subordinated unsecured debt securities, or other
changed. We may not sell these          unsecured indebtedness, which may be convertible
securities until the registration       into common stock
statement filed with the            -   shares of our preferred stock, which may be
Securities and Exchange Commis-         convertible into common stock
sion is effective. This prospectus  The common stock trades on the New York Stock
is not an offer to sell these       Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the
securities and it is not            symbol "PPP".
soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the
offer or sale is not permitted.
We will provide additional terms
of our securities in one or more
supplements to this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus
and the related prospectus
supplement carefully before you
invest in our securities. This
prospectus may not be used to
offer and sell our securities
unless accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
</TABLE>
    
 
    NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED 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             , 1999
    
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                                                -----
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
About This Prospectus......................................................................................           2
 
Risk Factors...............................................................................................           3
 
About Pogo Producing Company...............................................................................           5
 
Where You Can Find More Information........................................................................           6
 
Incorporation of Documents by Reference....................................................................           6
 
Forward-looking Statements.................................................................................           7
 
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................           8
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........................................................................           8
 
Description of Capital Stock...............................................................................           9
 
Description of Debt Securities.............................................................................          12
 
Plan of Distribution.......................................................................................          21
 
Legal Matters..............................................................................................          23
 
Experts....................................................................................................          23
</TABLE>
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
   
    This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed by Pogo Producing
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration
process that registers debt securities and preferred stock, any of which may be
convertible into our common stock, and each of which may be sold under this
prospectus. It also registers preferred securities of Pogo Trust I and Pogo
Trust II and junior subordinated debt securities and guarantees of Pogo
Producing that may be sold under a separate trust prospectus. Under this shelf
process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this
prospectus or the related trust prospectus, either separately or in units, in
one or more offerings up to an aggregate initial offering price of $250,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt and equity
securities that this prospectus covers. Each time we use this prospectus to sell
securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific
information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also
add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the
additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More
Information."
    
 
   
    The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the
exhibits to that registration statement, contains additional information about
us and the securities. You can read that registration statement at the SEC's web
site or at the SEC's offices mentioned under the heading "Where You Can Find
More Information."
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
                                  RISK FACTORS
    
 
   
    YOUR INVESTMENT IN ANY OF THE SECURITIES INVOLVES MANY RISKS. YOU SHOULD
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND THOSE IN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER AN INVESTMENT IN THAT SECURITY IS
SUITABLE FOR YOU.
    
 
   
WE ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LOW OIL AND GAS PRICES
    
 
   
    Commencing in 1997, and continuing through early this year, the average
prices we received for our production generally declined. Recently, oil prices
have improved somewhat, but they remain low by historic standards. Our
profitability and cash flow depend greatly on the market prices of crude oil and
natural gas. The drop in oil and gas prices has had a serious adverse effect on
our cash flow and profitability. Sustained periods of continued low prices could
seriously affect our operations and financial condition. This could result in a
further reduction in funds available under our bank credit agreement. Oil and
natural gas market prices have historically been seasonal, cyclical and
volatile. They depend on many factors that we cannot control such as weather and
economic, political and regulatory conditions.
    
 
   
CHEVRON WILL SOON BECOME THE OPERATOR OF OUR THAILAND BLOCK B8/32 CONCESSION,
  AND WE NOW SHARE CONTROL OVER DECISION-MAKING WITH CHEVRON
    
 
   
    Chevron Corporation recently acquired Rutherford-Moran Oil Corporation, one
of our joint venture partners in Thailand. In connection with the acquisition,
we agreed to transfer operatorship of the Block B8/32 Concession in Thailand to
Chevron on or about September 30, 1999, subject to Thai governmental approval.
In the new joint operating agreement governing the concession both Chevron and
Pogo Producing, based on current ownership interests, must jointly agree on most
major decisions, including capital budgets and drilling decisions. If we and
Chevron are unable to agree on these matters, it could slow the pace of
development of the concession and adversely affect our future results.
    
 
   
OPERATORS OF OUR PROPERTIES OUTSIDE OF THAILAND THAT WE DO NOT OPERATE MAY ACT
  IN WAYS THAT ARE NOT IN OUR BEST INTERESTS
    
 
   
    We do not operate a significant percentage of our oil and gas properties
outside of Thailand. We have limited influence over operations on some of those
properties. Our limited influence on non-operated properties could result in the
following:
    
 
   
    - the operator may initiate exploration or development projects on a slower
      schedule than we prefer
    
 
   
    - the operator may propose to drill more wells or build more facilities on a
      project than we have funds for, which may mean that we cannot participate
      in those projects or share in a substantial share of the revenues from
      those projects
    
 
   
    - if the operator refuses to initiate an exploration or development project
      we may not be able to pursue the project
    
 
   
Any of these events could significantly affect our anticipated exploration and
development activities and the economic value of those properties to us.
    
 
   
IF OUR PARTNERS HAVE LIQUIDITY AND CASH FLOW PROBLEMS, WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY
  FINANCING AND DEVELOPING OUR PROJECTS
    
 
   
    Due to the recent decline in oil and gas prices, some of our partners,
particularly the smaller ones, are experiencing liquidity and cash flow
problems. These problems may lead to their attempting to delay or slow down the
pace of drilling or project development to a point that we believe is
detrimental to the project. In most cases, we have the ability to influence the
pace of development through our joint operating agreements. In addition, some
partners may be unwilling or unable to pay their share of the costs of projects
as they become due. At worst, a partner may declare bankruptcy and refuse or be
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
unable to pay its share of the costs of a project. We could then be required to
pay that partner's share of the project costs.
    
 
   
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE OUR RESERVES OR GENERATE CASH FLOW IF WE ARE
  UNABLE TO RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO MEET OUR 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. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in our report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998.
    
 
   
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROFITABLY MARKET AND SELL ALL OF THE NATURAL GAS PRODUCED
  FROM OUR CONCESSION IN THAILAND
    
 
   
    We may not be able to successfully and profitably process, transport and
market all the oil and gas we find and produce on our concession in the Gulf of
Thailand. Currently, the only buyer for the natural gas we produce is The
Petroleum Authority of Thailand, which maintains a monopoly over gas
transmission and distribution in Thailand. Although to date, the Petroleum
Authority has purchased all of the natural gas that we are capable of producing,
we cannot assure you that it will continue to do so.
    
 
   
OUR GAS SALES AGREEMENT IN THAILAND REQUIRES US TO SELL A PORTION OF OUR
  THAILAND PRODUCTION AT A REDUCED PRICE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT MEETING OUR MINIMUM
  DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS
    
 
   
    We are currently receiving a reduced price on a portion of our current
production in Thailand because we and our joint venture partners have delivered
less natural gas than the Petroleum Authority has nominated under our gas sales
agreement. If we and our partners fail to deliver the minimum quantities under
the gas sales agreement, the Petroleum Authority has the right to reduce the
purchase price on an equivalent amount of subsequent deliveries to 75% of the
contract price. Since October 1, 1998, we have not been able to meet our
contractual minimum delivery obligations for a number of reasons, including
declining production from existing wells, the need to shut-in existing wells
while drilling or working over additional wells from the same platform and our
decision to emphasize oil and condensate production from the Tantawan Field.
This has resulted in our receiving a lower price for our Thailand natural gas
production than would otherwise be the case. We currently anticipate that this
situation will be resolved when production commences from the Benchamas Field in
the third quarter of 1999, but we can give you no assurance that this will
occur.
    
 
   
    The Petroleum Authority has paid to construct lateral pipelines from its
main pipeline to the Tantawan Field and the Benchamas Field and has agreed to
purchase the gas produced from these fields. If we and our joint venture
partners do not deliver the specified quantity of reserves under our gas sales
agreement with the Petroleum Authority, we may have to reimburse the Petroleum
Authority a part of its costs for the construction of these lateral pipelines.
    
 
   
EVENTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA CAN HURT OUR CASH FLOW
    
 
   
    Beginning in 1997, Southeast Asia in general, and the Kingdom of Thailand in
particular, have experienced severe economic difficulties. These problems
include sharply reduced economic activity, illiquidity, highly volatile foreign
currency exchange rates and unstable stock markets. Economic difficulties in
Thailand and the volatility of the Thai Baht, Thailand's currency, against the
U.S. dollar will continue to have a material impact on our Thailand operations
and the prices we receive for our oil and gas production there.
    
 
   
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY OUR YEAR 2000 RISKS
    
 
   
    We use computer systems, specialized software, embedded processors and
related technologies for revenue-generating activities. Like most other
companies, we are striving to ensure that these
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
computer-related systems are able to recognize and process date-sensitive
information properly as the year 2000 approaches. Systems that do not properly
recognize and process this information could generate erroneous data or even
fail. We have not completed our year 2000 assessment, and we cannot assure you
that all our systems and applications will continue without interruption due to
the year 2000 problem. If some of our systems and applications, or those of
third parties of business importance to us, do not comply in a timely manner and
if we are unable to develop adequate contingency plans for our various business
units, the year 2000 issue could have a material adverse effect on our
operations.
    
 
   
MAINTAINING RESERVES AND REVENUES IN THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON SUCCESSFUL
  EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
    
 
   
    We must continually acquire or explore for and develop 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, acquisition or
exploration 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.
    
 
   
WE ARE SUBJECT TO CASUALTY RISKS IN OUR ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE ACTIVITIES.
    
 
   
    Our operations are subject to inherent casualty risks such as blowouts,
fires, explosions and marine hazards. If they occur, these events could result
in substantial financial losses due to personal injury, property damage,
environmental discharge or suspension of operations. Because we are a relatively
small oil and gas company, the impact on us of one of these events could be
significant. We are not fully insured against all casualty risks incident to our
business.
    
 
   
YOU SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON OUR RESERVE DATA BECAUSE THEY ARE
  ESTIMATES
    
 
   
    No one can measure underground accumulations of oil and gas in an exact way.
Projecting future production rates and the timing 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 gas we ultimately recover. Estimates of other engineers might differ
materially from those of our independent reserve engineers, Ryder Scott Company
Petroleum Engineers. Ryder Scott may make material changes to reserve estimates
based on changes in oil and gas prices, new technology and the results of actual
drilling, testing, and production. To estimate economically recoverable
reserves, we also make various assumptions regarding future oil and 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.
    
 
   
                          ABOUT POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
    
 
   
    We are an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, based
in Houston, Texas. Incorporated in 1970, we have, in recent years, established a
record of increasing our proven hydrocarbon reserves, principally through
exploration, exploitation and development of our properties and the selective
acquisition of additional interests in producing properties in which we already
have an interest. Through a portfolio of domestic and international properties,
we concentrate our efforts on a mix of both offshore and onshore opportunities
which provide a balanced exposure to oil and natural gas production. In recent
years, we have concentrated our efforts in selected areas where we believe that
our expertise, competitive acreage position, or ability to quickly take
advantage of new opportunities offer the possibility of relatively high rates of
return. Domestically, we have an extensive Gulf of Mexico reserve and acreage
position and we are also active in the Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico and
west Texas and in other selected areas of Texas and Louisiana. Through our
subsidiary Thaipo Limited, we own an interest in the 734,000 acre Block B8/32
Concession license in the Gulf of Thailand where we currently serve as operator.
Subject to approval by the government of Thailand, Thaipo has agreed to transfer
operatorship of the Thailand concession to a subsidiary of Chevron on or about
September 30, 1999. Through other subsidiaries we also own interests in
approximately 142,000
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
gross acres in Canada, 780,000 acres in Hungary and 113,000 gross acres in the
United Kingdom sector of the North Sea.
    
 
   
BUSINESS STRATEGY
    
 
   
    Our strategy is to maximize profitability and shareholder value by:
    
 
   
    - increasing hydrocarbon production levels, leading to increased revenues,
      cash flow and earnings
    
 
   
    - replacing and expanding our proven hydrocarbon reserves base
    
 
   
    - maintaining appropriate levels of debt and interest, and controlling
      overhead and operating costs, and
    
 
   
    - expanding exploration and production activities into new and promising
      geographic areas consistent with our expertise.
    
 
   
    You should consider carefully the information under the caption "Risk
Factors." One or more of those risks could negatively impact our ability to
implement successfully our business strategy described above.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's principal executive offices are located at the following
address:
    
 
          Pogo Producing Company
           5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
           Houston, Texas 77046
           (713) 297-5017
 
   
    Additional information concerning us and our subsidiaries is included in our
reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See
"Where you can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
    
 
   
                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
    
 
   
    We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the
Internet at the SEC's web site at HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. You may also read and copy
any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the
documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the
SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference
facilities.
    
 
   
                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
    
 
   
    We "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file
with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this prospectus and information that we subsequently file
with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. We incorporate by
reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after
the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus
and prior to the time that we sell all the securities offered by this
prospectus:
    
 
   
    - Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998;
    
 
   
    - The description of our common stock contained in our registration
      statement on Form 8-A, as may be amended from time to time to update that
      description;
    
 
   
    - The descriptions of our rights associated with our common stock contained
      in our registration statement on Form 8-A, as may be amended from time to
      time to update that description.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
    You may request a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to a filing
unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing,
at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:
    
 
   
          Pogo Producing Company
           Corporate Secretary
           5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
           Houston, Texas 77046
           (713) 297-5017
    
 
   
    You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or in this
prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. We may only use this
prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We are only offering these securities in states where the offer is permitted.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable
prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates on the
front of those documents.
    
 
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
   
    This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain and
incorporate by reference forward-looking statements. We intend the use of any of
the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "may," "project," "believe" and
similar expressions to identify uncertainties. Although we believe the
expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, they
do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and we cannot assure that those
expectations will prove to have been correct. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements. The
following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from
those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement:
    
 
    - the cyclical nature of the oil and natural gas industries
 
   
    - uncertainties associated with the United States' and worldwide economies
    
 
   
    - current and potential governmental regulatory actions in countries where
      we own an interest
    
 
    - substantial competitor production increases resulting in oversupply and
      declining prices
 
   
    - our ability to implement cost reductions
    
 
   
    - our ability to raise additional capital or sell assets
    
 
   
    - operating interruptions, including leaks, explosions, fires, mechanical
      failure, unscheduled downtime, transportation interruptions, and spills
      and releases and other environmental risks
    
 
   
    - fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in areas of the world
      where we own an interest, particularly Southeast Asia
    
 
   
    - covenant restrictions in our indebtedness
    
 
    - the impact of the Year 2000 issue
 
   
    Many of those factors are beyond our ability to control or predict.
Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements
or projecting any future results based on those 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
and the accompanying prospectus supplement.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    Unless we inform you otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we anticipate
that any net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus will be
used for general corporate purposes, such as:
    
 
    - repayments or refinancings of indebtedness
 
    - working capital
 
    - capital expenditures
 
   
    - acquisitions
    
 
   
    - repurchases or redemptions of our equity securities
    
 
    - investment in short-term securities
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
   
    Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown
are as follows:
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                ------------------------------------------
                                                                                  1994       1995       1996       1997
                                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............................................       5.1x       2.1x       4.6x       3.2x
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                  1998
                                                                                ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges............................................         (1)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Earnings are insufficient to cover fixed charges by $80,230,000.
 
   
    For purposes of this ratio, earnings are defined as income before income
taxes plus fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist
of interest expense and the estimated interest component of rent expense.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
AUTHORIZED AND OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK
 
   
    Pogo Producing's authorized capital stock consists of:
    
 
   
    - 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which
      40,141,061 shares were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 1999
    
 
   
    - 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which
      no shares are issued or outstanding
    
 
   
    We have summarized selected aspects of Pogo Producing's capital stock below.
The summary is not complete. For a complete description, you should refer to
Pogo Producing's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which Pogo
Producing has filed with the SEC and which are available upon request.
    
 
COMMON STOCK
 
   
    The holders of common stock are entitled to any dividends declared from time
to time in the discretion of Pogo Producing's board of directors out of funds
legally available for that purpose, subject to any preferential rights of any
outstanding shares of Pogo Producing's preferred stock. Holders of common stock
are entitled to share ratably in Pogo Producing's net assets upon liquidation
after the liquidator pays or provides for all liabilities and any preferential
liquidation rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. The rights of
holders of common stock are subject to the rights of holders of any preferred
stock that may be issued in the future. The holders of common stock have no
preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of Pogo Producing's capital
stock. Shares of common stock are not subject to any redemption or sinking fund
provisions and are not convertible into any other securities. All of Pogo
Producing's outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid
and non-assessable.
    
 
   
    The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common stock. Pogo
Producing's common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. This means that
the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding can elect
all the directors standing for election at any given time if they choose to do
so. If that happens, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to
elect any directors.
    
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
   
    Pogo Producing's board of directors is empowered, without approval of the
stockholders, to cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in one or more
series, with the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and
limitations of each series to be determined by it. Among the specific matters
that may be determined by Pogo Producing's board of directors are:
    
 
   
    - the description and number of shares to constitute each series
    
 
   
    - the annual dividend rate
    
 
   
    - whether the dividends will be cumulative
    
 
   
    - the time and price of redemption and the liquidation preference applicable
      to the series
    
 
   
    - whether the series will be subject to the operation of a "sinking" or
      "purchase" fund and, if so, the terms and provisions of that fund
    
 
   
    - whether the shares of that series will be convertible into shares of any
      other class or classes and the terms and provisions of those conversion
      rights
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
    - any voting powers of the shares of that series
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's board of directors may change the designation, rights,
preferences, descriptions and terms of, and the number of shares in, any series
if no shares have been issued before that time.
    
 
   
    The issuance of one or more series of our preferred stock could adversely
affect the voting power of the holders of Pogo Producing's common stock and
could have the effect of discouraging or making more difficult any attempt by a
person or group to obtain control of Pogo Producing.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's board of directors has reserved for issuance under Pogo
Producing's stockholder rights plan described below a total of 1,000,000 shares
of Pogo Producing's Series A preferred stock. Pogo Producing has not issued any
shares of Series A preferred stock as of the date of this prospectus.
    
 
LISTINGS
 
   
    Pogo Producing's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and
the Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol "PPP".
    
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
   
    The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is Harris Trust
Company of New York, New York.
    
 
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
   
    Pogo Producing has a stockholder rights plan under which one preferred share
purchase right is attached to each outstanding share of Pogo Producing's common
stock. Those rights become exercisable under specified circumstances, including
any person or group (an "acquiring person") becoming the beneficial owner of 20%
or more of Pogo Producing's outstanding common stock, subject to specified
exceptions. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from Pogo
Producing one one-hundredth of a share of Series A preferred stock at an
exercise price of $80, subject to adjustment under specified circumstances. If
events specified in the stockholder rights plan occur, each holder of a right,
other than the acquiring person, will have the right, upon exercise of that
right, to receive that number of shares of common stock, or, in specified
circumstances, cash, property or other securities, that, at the time of the
transaction, would have a market value of two times the exercise price of the
right. Rights are redeemable by action of Pogo Producing's board of directors
for $0.01 per right at any time prior to the tenth day after a person or group
becomes an acquiring person. The stockholder
rights plan and the rights expire in April 2004.
    
 
DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS
 
   
    As permitted by the Delaware corporations statute, Pogo Producing has
included in its Restated Certificate of Incorporation a provision that, to the
fullest extent permitted by that statute, Pogo Producing's directors will not be
liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty of care to Pogo
Producing and its stockholders. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation
provides that directors of a company will not be personally liable for monetary
damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:
    
 
   
    - for any breach of their duty of loyalty to Pogo Producing or its
      stockholders
    
 
   
    - for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
      misconduct or a knowing violation of law
    
 
   
    - under Section 174 of the Delaware corporations statute regarding unlawful
      payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions or
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
    - for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
      benefit
    
 
This provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any
other laws, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal
environmental laws.
 
   
    Pogo Producing's Bylaws also require Pogo Producing to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees or other agents to the fullest extent permitted
by the Delaware corporations statute, and to advance expenses to its officers
and directors as incurred. In addition, Pogo Producing has in place employment
agreements with some of its officers providing coverage that is substantially
identical to the indemnification provisions in the Bylaws.
    
 
   
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
    
 
   
    The provisions of Pogo Producing's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
summarized in the succeeding paragraphs may have an anti-takeover effect. Those
provisions may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that
stockholders might consider in their best interest, including those attempts
that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common
stock held by stockholders.
    
 
   
    Before Pogo Producing can take any of the following actions, holders of at
least 80% of Pogo Producing's outstanding shares of common stock must vote in
favor of that action:
    
 
   
    - a merger or similar reorganization of Pogo Producing or other specified
      transactions involving Pogo Producing if the other party to that
      transaction already beneficially owns 5% or more of Pogo Producing's
      outstanding common stock and Pogo Producing's board of directors has not
      approved the transaction prior to the time at which the other party
      becomes a 5% beneficial owner
    
 
   
    - an amendment to Pogo Producing's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
      alter or change the provision establishing a "classified" board of
      directors, elected approximately one-third annually
    
 
   
    - an amendment to the foregoing and other specified provisions of the
      Restated Certificate of Incorporation
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's board of directors is divided into three classes having
staggered terms, with approximately one-third of the directors being elected
annually for a term of three years. Pogo Producing's capital stock has
noncumulative voting rights, meaning that the holders of more than 50% of the
voting power of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect 100%
of the directors if they choose to do so. If that happens, the holders of the
remaining less-than-50% of the voting power of the shares voting for the
election of directors will not be able to elect any directors.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's board of directors may establish by resolution one or more
additional series of preferred stock having the number of shares, designation,
relative voting rights, dividend rates, liquidation and other rights,
preferences and limitations as may be fixed by the board of directors without
any further stockholder approval. Those rights, preferences, privileges and
limitations could impede or discourage attempts to acquire control of Pogo
Producing. See "--Stockholder Rights Plan."
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws further
provide that:
    
 
   
    - stockholders may act only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders
      and may not act by written consent
    
 
   
    - special meetings of stockholders cannot be called by the stockholders
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's Bylaws establish advance notice procedures for the
nomination, other than by or at the direction of the board of directors or a
committee of the board, of candidates for election as directors and for matters
to be brought before an annual meeting of Pogo Producing's stockholders.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
These procedures require a stockholder to give timely notice of any nomination
for the election of a director in writing to Pogo Producing's Secretary prior to
the meeting at which directors are to be elected. Also, at an annual meeting,
and subject to any other applicable requirements, the only business that may be
conducted is that which is brought by or at the direction of Pogo Producing's
board of directors or which is brought by or at the direction of a stockholder
who has given Pogo Producing's Secretary timely written notice of that
stockholder's intention to bring that business before the meeting. In all cases,
for a notice to be timely, Pogo Producing must receive the notice at its
principal executive offices not less than 80 days nor more than 110 days prior
to the meeting (or if Pogo Producing provides fewer than 90 days' notice or
prior public disclosure of the meeting date, not later than the 10th day
following the day on which Pogo Producing mails the notice or makes the public
disclosure). The notice must contain the information specified in the Bylaws.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing is a Delaware corporation and is subject to Section 203 of
the Delaware corporations statute. In general, Section 203 prevents an
"interested stockholder", which is defined generally as a person owning 15% or
more of a corporation's outstanding voting stock, from engaging in a merger or
other "business combination" (as defined in the statute) with a Delaware
corporation for three years following the date the person became an interested
stockholder unless one of the following circumstances exists:
    
 
   
    - before the person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors
      of the corporation approved the transaction in which the interested
      stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business
      combination
    
 
   
    - upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested
      stockholder's becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
      stockholder owns at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation
      outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by
      directors who are also officers of the corporation and by employee stock
      plans that do not provide employees with the rights to determine
      confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in
      a tender or exchange offer
    
 
   
    - following the transaction in which the person became an interested
      stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of
      directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of stockholders
      by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
      voting stock of the corporation not owned by the interested stockholder
    
 
   
Under Section 203, the restrictions described above also do not apply to
specified business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder following
the announcement or notification of one of a number of specified extraordinary
transactions involving the corporation and a person who had not been an
interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an
interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the corporation's
directors, if that extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a
majority of the directors who were directors prior to any person becoming an
interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for
election or elected to succeed those directors by a majority of those directors.
The foregoing summary of Section 203 is not complete. For a complete
description, you should refer to Section 203.
    
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
   
    The debt securities that Pogo Producing may sell under this prospectus
include unsecured senior debt securities and unsecured subordinated debt
securities. The following description of the debt securities contains some of
the general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus
supplement may relate. The particular terms of any of the debt securities and
the extent to which those general provisions may apply will be described in a
prospectus supplement relating to those debt securities.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
    The debt securities will be Pogo Producing's general unsecured obligations.
The senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture between a
trustee under the senior indenture and Pogo Producing, and will rank equally
with all other of Pogo Producing's unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
Subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture
between a trustee under the subordinated indenture and Pogo Producing, and will
rank junior to all of Pogo Producing's senior indebtedness, including any senior
debt securities that may be outstanding from time to time. The following summary
is not complete. For a complete description, you should refer to the form of
senior indenture and the form of subordinated indenture, copies of which Pogo
Producing has filed with the SEC.
    
 
   
     PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH SENIOR AND SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
    
 
GENERAL
 
   
    The senior indenture and subordinated indenture do not limit the amount of
debt securities that Pogo Producing can issue under the indentures. Pogo
Producing may issue debt securities from time to time under the indentures in
one or more series, each in an amount Pogo Producing authorizes prior to
issuance. The indentures do not limit the amount of other unsecured indebtedness
or securities that Pogo Producing may issue.
    
 
   
    Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities
will not benefit from any provision that would afford holders of the debt
securities special protection if a highly leveraged transaction involving Pogo
Producing occurs or that would give holders of the debt securities the right to
require Pogo Producing to repurchase their securities if a decline in the credit
rating of Pogo Producing's debt securities occurs.
    
 
   
    The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities Pogo
Producing offers will include specific terms of that offering. Those terms will
include some or all of the following:
    
 
   
    - the title of the debt securities
    
 
   
    - the total principal amount of the debt securities
    
 
   
    - whether Pogo Producing will issue the debt securities in the form of one
      or more global securities and whether Pogo Producing will issue any global
      securities in temporary or permanent global form, and if so, whether
      beneficial owners in any global security may exchange those interests for
      physical securities, and the initial depositary for any global securities
    
 
   
    - the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on the debt
      securities will be payable, or the method of determining that date or
      dates
    
 
   
    - any interest rate or rates on the debt securities, or the method of
      determining that rate or rates
    
 
   
    - whether and under what circumstances any additional amounts on the debt
      securities will be payable
    
 
   
    - the date or dates from which interest will accrue, interest payment dates
      and related record dates
    
 
   
    - the person to whom the interest is payable
    
 
   
    - the place or places where the principal, any premium and interest payments
      and any additional amounts on the debt securities will be payable
    
 
   
    - any provisions that would allow or obligate Pogo Producing to redeem,
      purchase or repay debt securities
    
 
   
    - the denominations in which Pogo Producing will issue the debt securities
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
    - the currency or currencies, if other than U.S. dollars, in which payment
      of principal, any premium, interest or additional amounts on debt
      securities will be made, the terms of any right to elect the currency of
      those payments, and whether payments will be payable by reference to any
      index or formula
    
 
   
    - the portion of the principal amount of debt securities that will be
      payable if the maturity is accelerated, if other than the entire principal
      amount
    
 
   
    - any additional means of defeasance of the debt securities, any conditions
      or limitations to defeasance of the debt securities or any changes to
      those conditions or limitations
    
 
   
    - any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants described
      in this prospectus
    
 
   
    - any other restrictions or provisions relating to the transfer or exchange
      of debt securities
    
 
   
    - any terms for the conversion or exchange of debt securities for other
      securities or property of Pogo Producing or any other entity
    
 
   
    - any other terms of the debt securities
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing will issue the debt securities in registered form. Pogo
Producing will not impose a service charge for any registration of transfer or
exchange of the debt securities. It may, however, require the payment of any tax
or other governmental charge payable for that registration.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing generates some of its operating income and cash flow by its
subsidiaries. As a result, distributions and advances from Pogo Producing's
subsidiaries provide part of the funds necessary to meet Pogo Producing's debt
service obligations. Contractual and legal restrictions, as well as the
financial condition and operating requirements of Pogo Producing's subsidiaries,
could limit Pogo Producing's ability to obtain cash from its subsidiaries to
meet its debt service obligations, including the payments on debt securities
sold under this prospectus. The claims of creditors of the subsidiaries will
effectively have priority to the assets and earnings of those companies over the
claims of creditors of Pogo Producing, including the holders of debt securities
sold under this prospectus.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be
substantial, below their stated principal amount. These debt securities may bear
no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market
rates. The prospectus supplement will describe any material United States
federal income tax consequences and other special considerations.
    
 
   
    If Pogo Producing sells any of the debt securities for any foreign currency
or currency unit, including a composite currency, or if payments on the debt
securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, Pogo Producing
will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and
other information for those debt securities and that foreign currency or
currency unit in the prospectus supplement.
    
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
   
    The indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between Pogo
Producing and another entity. It also permits the sale by Pogo Producing of all
or substantially all of its assets. Pogo Producing has agreed, however, that it
will consolidate with or merge into any entity or transfer or dispose of all or
substantially all of its assets to any entity only if:
    
 
   
    - Pogo Producing is the continuing corporation, or
    
 
   
    - if Pogo Producing is not the continuing corporation, the successor is
      organized and existing under the laws of any United States jurisdiction
      and assumes all of Pogo Producing's obligations under the indentures and
      the debt securities, and
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
    - in either case, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, (a) no
      event of default, and no event which, after notice of lapse of time or
      both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing,
      and (b) Pogo Producing delivers to the trustee an officer's certificate
      stating that the transaction and the supplemental indenture related to
      that transaction comply with the requirements of the indenture and an
      opinion of counsel stating that the requirements described above relating
      to the first two items in this list have been complied with
    
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
   
    Unless otherwise provided for any series of debt securities, the following
are events of default under each indenture for the debt securities of that
series issued under the indenture:
    
 
   
        (1) failure to pay any interest or any additional amounts on that series
    of debt securities for 90 days
    
 
   
        (2) failure to pay any principal or premium on that series of debt
    securities when due
    
 
   
        (3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment for 90 days
    
 
   
        (4) failure to comply with any of Pogo Producing's other covenants or
    agreements in, or provisions of, the debt securities of that series or the
    applicable indenture, other than an agreement, covenant or provision that is
    included in that indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt
    securities, for 90 days after written notice to Pogo Producing by the
    trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
    outstanding debt securities affected by the default
    
 
   
        (5) bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events of Pogo Producing
    
 
   
        (6) any other event of default applicable to that series of debt
    securities
    
 
   
    The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any
default or event of default, except in payment of principal of, any premium and
interest on and additional amounts or any sinking fund installment for debt
securities of that series, if the trustee considers it in the interest of the
holders of those debt securities to do so.
    
 
   
    If an event of default on any outstanding debt securities of any series
occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default under (5) above, the
applicable trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of the series affected by that default, or in the
event of a default under (5) above, 25% in principal amount of the securities
affected, may declare the principal of and accrued interest on all then
outstanding debt securities of that series or of all series affected, as the
case may be, immediately due and payable. If an event of default under (5) above
occurs, then the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding
debt securities will, by the fact alone, be immediately due and payable. Under
specified circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default or all series,
as the case may be, may rescind the acceleration and its consequences.
    
 
   
    No holder of a debt security of any series may pursue any remedy under the
indenture unless:
    
 
   
    - the holder gives the applicable trustee written notice of a continuing
      event of default on that series
    
 
   
    - the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt
      securities of that series make a written request to the applicable trustee
      to pursue that remedy
    
 
   
    - the holder or holders offer to the applicable trustee indemnity reasonably
      satisfactory to it
    
 
   
    - the trustee has failed to act for a period of 60 days after it receives
      the notice and the offer of indemnity and
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
    - during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount
      of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction
      inconsistent with the request
    
 
   
That provision, however, does not affect the right of a holder of a debt
security to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment on the debt security.
    
 
   
    In most cases, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of a series or of all series affected, as the case
may be, may direct the time, method and place of:
    
 
   
    - conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable
      trustee or
    
 
   
    - exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising
      under an event of default
    
 
   
    Each indenture requires Pogo Producing to file annually with the applicable
trustee a written statement as to compliance with the covenants contained in
that indenture.
    
 
   
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing and the applicable trustee may modify or amend an indenture
if the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of all series affected by that amendment, acting as one class,
consent to it. Without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected
however, no modification or amendment may:
    
 
   
    - reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an
      amendment, supplement or waiver
    
 
   
    - reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest of any debt
      security
    
 
   
    - reduce the principal of or premium on, or change the stated maturity of
      any debt security
    
 
   
    - reduce any premium payable on the redemption of any debt security or
      change the time at which any debt security may be redeemed
    
 
   
    - change any obligation of Pogo Producing to pay additional amounts on any
      debt securities
    
 
   
    - make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt
      security
    
 
   
    - impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of
      principal of, or any premium, interest or additional amounts on any debt
      security
    
 
   
    - make any change in the percentage of principal amount of debt securities
      necessary to waive compliance with specified provisions of that indenture
    
 
   
    - waive a continuing default or event of default in the payment of principal
      of, or any premium, interest or additional amounts on the debt securities
    
 
   
In addition, in the case of subordinated debt securities, the subordinated
indenture permits no modification or amendment to that indenture regarding the
subordination of any subordinated debt security in a manner adverse to the
holder of that subordinated debt security without the consent of the holder of
each subordinated debt security outstanding affected by that modification or
amendment.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing and the trustee may amend or supplement an indenture, or
waiver any provision of that indenture, without the consent of any holders of
debt securities in specified circumstances, including, among other things:
    
 
   
    - to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency
    
 
   
    - to provide for the assumption of Pogo Producing's obligations under that
      indenture by a successor on the merger, consolidation or disposition of
      all or substantially all the assets of Pogo Producing
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
    - to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place
      of certificated debt securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer
      debt securities, with or without coupons
    
 
   
    - to secure any series of debt securities or to add guarantees of any series
      of debt securities
    
 
   
    - to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the
      qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or
    
 
   
    - to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder
      of outstanding debt securities of any series in any material respect
    
 
   
    Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt
securities of any series or of all series, acting as one class, may waive any
existing or past default or event of default with respect to that series or all
series, as the case may be, except:
    
 
   
    - in the payment of the principal of, or any premium, interest or any
      additional amounts on any debt securities or
    
 
   
    - in respect of those items described above that cannot be amended or
      supplemented without the consent of each holder affected
    
 
DEFEASANCE
 
   
    Pogo Producing may, at its option, elect:
    
 
   
    - to have all of its obligations on the debt securities discharged, except
      for specified obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt
      securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities or maintain
      paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust ("legal defeasance")
      or
    
 
   
    - to have its obligations terminated relating to specified restrictive
      covenants of the indenture ("covenant defeasance")
    
 
   
    If a covenant defeasance occurs, specified events of default will no longer
constitute events of default for any debt securities if Pogo Producing deposits
with the trustee funds or U.S. government securities sufficient to pay all the
principal of, and any premium on and interest on those debt securities on the
dates those payments are due in accordance with the terms of the debt securities
on their stated maturity or any redemption date.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing is required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel
to the effect that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the
holders of the debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes.
    
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
   
    New York law will govern each indenture and the debt securities.
    
 
   
TRUSTEES
    
 
   
    Each indenture contains limitations on the right of the applicable trustee,
should it become a creditor of Pogo Producing, to obtain payment of claims in
specified cases, or to realize on specified property it receives for any of
those claims. If a trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined), it
must eliminate that conflict or resign. Pogo Producing anticipates that it would
designate State Street Bank and Trust Company to act as trustee under the
indentures.
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
FORM, EXCHANGE, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
   
    The indentures prescribe the method for exchanging debt securities of any
series for other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate
principal amount and tenor of different authorized denominations. Holders may
present debt securities for registration of transfer, with the form of transfer
endorsed on those securities duly executed, at the office of the security
registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by Pogo Producing
for that purpose. Pogo Producing will not impose a service charge for that
registration but will require payment of any taxes and other governmental
charges as described in the applicable indenture. That transfer or exchange will
be effected when the security registrar or transfer agent is satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing anticipates that it will appoint the trustee under each
indenture as security registrar for debt securities issued under that indenture.
If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agent, in addition to the
security registrar, designated by Pogo Producing for any series of debt
securities, Pogo Producing may at any time rescind the designation of that
transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which that transfer
agent acts. Pogo Producing is required to maintain an office or agency, which
may be the office of the trustee, the security registrar or the paying agent, in
each place of payment for that series. Pogo Producing may at any time designate
additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.
    
 
   
    If Pogo Producing makes a partial redemption, it is not required to:
    
 
   
    - register the transfer or exchange of any debt security of any series
      during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the mailing of the
      relevant notice of redemption and ending on the close of business on the
      day of mailing of that notice or
    
 
   
    - register the transfer or exchange of any debt security called for
      redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt
      security being redeemed in part
    
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
   
    Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, Pogo Producing will
pay the principal, any premium and interest on and any additional amounts on
debt securities in dollars at the office of the applicable trustee. However, at
Pogo Producing's option, it may pay those amounts by check mailed to the
holder's registered address or, for global debt securities, by wire transfer.
Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, Pogo Producing will pay
any installment of interest, except defaulted interest, on debt securities to
the person in whose name that debt security is registered at the close of
business on the record date next preceding the interest payment date for that
interest.
    
 
   
    Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, Pogo Producing will
designate the Trustee as a paying agent for Pogo Producing for payments on debt
securities issued under the applicable indenture. Pogo Producing may at any time
designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying
agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.
    
 
   
    Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, each
trustee and paying agent will pay to Pogo Producing upon written request any
money held by them for the payment of principal, any premium, interest or any
additional amounts that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which
that payment has become due. After payment to Pogo Producing, holders entitled
to the money must look to Pogo Producing for payment as general creditors unless
an applicable abandoned property law designates another person, and all
liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES
 
   
    Pogo Producing may issue the debt securities of a series, in whole or in
part, in the form of one or more global debt securities that it would deposit
with a depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. Pogo
Producing may issue global debt securities in either temporary or permanent
form. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of
any depositary arrangement for any portion of a series of debt securities and
the rights of, and limitations on, owners of beneficial interests in any global
debt security representing all or a portion of a series of debt securities.
    
 
   
DEFINITION
    
 
   
    Unless otherwise provided with respect to the debt securities of a series
and described in the related prospectus supplement, "indebtedness" of any person
means, without duplication:
    
 
   
    - indebtedness for borrowed money
    
 
   
    - obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
      instruments
    
 
   
    - obligations under letters of credit or other similar instruments, or
      reimbursement obligations on those instruments, other than standby letters
      of credit, performance bonds and other obligations issued by or for the
      account of that person in the ordinary course of business, to the extent
      not drawn or, to the extent drawn, if that drawing is reimbursed not later
      than the third business day following demand for reimbursement
    
 
   
    - obligations of that person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price
      of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses
      incurred in the ordinary course of business
    
 
   
    - obligations as lessee under capitalized leases
    
 
   
    - indebtedness of others secured by a lien on any asset of that person,
      PROVIDED that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full
      by that person or are not otherwise that person's legal liability in full,
      then those obligations will be deemed to be in an amount equal to the
      greater of (a) the lesser of (1) the full amount of those obligations and
      (2) the fair market value of those assets, as determined in good faith by
      the board of directors of that person, and (b) the amount of obligations
      as that person has assumed or which are otherwise that person's legal
      liability, and
    
 
   
    - all indebtedness of others, other than endorsements in the ordinary course
      of business, guaranteed by that person to the extent of the guarantee
    
 
   
          PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SOLELY TO SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
    
 
   
    The payment of principal of, any premium and interest on and any additional
amounts on the subordinated debt securities is expressly subordinated, to the
extent and in the manner the subordinated indenture specifies, to the prior
payment in full of all of Pogo Producing's senior indebtedness.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may not make a payment on account of the principal, any
premium or interest or any additional amounts on the subordinated debt
securities, or acquire any of the subordinated debt securities, including
repurchases of subordinated debt securities at the option of the holder of those
securities, for cash or property, other than specified junior securities of Pogo
Producing, or on account of the redemption provisions of the subordinated debt
securities, if:
    
 
   
    (1) Pogo Producing defaults in the payment of any principal of, any premium
       or interest on any senior indebtedness when it becomes due and payable,
       whether at maturity or at a date fixed
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
       for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, unless and until that
       event of default has been cured or waived or otherwise ceases to exist;
       or
    
 
   
    (2) any other event of default occurs on any designated senior indebtedness
       permitting the holders of that designated senior indebtedness to declare
       that designated senior indebtedness due and payable prior to the date on
       which it would otherwise have become due and payable, upon written
       payment notice to Pogo Producing and the trustee for the subordinated
       indenture by any holders of that designated senior indebtedness or by a
       representative of those holders, unless and until that event of default
       has been cured or waived or otherwise ceases to exist
    
 
   
However, the restrictions on those payments under clause (2) above will not
prevent those payments for more than 179 days after the trustee for the
subordinated indenture receives any applicable payment notice unless the
designated senior indebtedness for which the event of default exists has been
declared due and payable in its entirety, in which case no payment may by made
until the acceleration has been rescinded or annulled or that designated senior
indebtedness has been paid in full.
    
 
   
    In the case of (2) above, no event of default that existed or was continuing
on the date of any payment notice, whether or not that event of default is on
the same issue of designated senior indebtedness, will be the basis for a second
payment notice, and only one of those payment notices may be given in any
365-day period.
    
 
   
    If, notwithstanding the preceding limitations, the trustee for the
subordinated indenture or the holders of subordinated debt securities receives
any payment or distribution of assets, other than specified junior securities of
Pogo Producing, at a time when the preceding limitations prohibit that payment
or distribution, then, unless the preceding limitations no longer prohibit that
payment or distribution, the trustee or those holders or the paying agent, as
the case may be, will receive and hold in trust that payment or distribution for
the benefit of the holders of Pogo Producing's senior indebtedness. The
recipients of that payment or distribution will then pay or deliver that payment
or distribution to the holders of Pogo Producing's senior indebtedness that
remains unpaid or unprovided for. The payment or delivery described in the
immediately preceding sentence will be made ratably according to the aggregate
amounts remaining unpaid on account of Pogo Producing's senior indebtedness held
or represented by each holder of that senior indebtedness, for application to
the payment of all senior indebtedness in full after giving effect to any
concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of that senior
indebtedness.
    
 
   
    Upon any distribution of assets of Pogo Producing or upon any dissolution,
winding up, total or partial liquidation or reorganization of Pogo Producing in
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or a similar proceeding or upon assignment
for the benefit of creditors:
    
 
   
    - the holders of all senior indebtedness of Pogo Producing will first be
      entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of subordinated
      debt securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of the
      principal of, any premium and interest on or any additional amounts on the
      subordinated debt securities, other than specified junior securities of
      Pogo Producing, and
    
 
   
    - the liquidating trustee or agent or other applicable person will pay
      directly to the holders of Pogo Producing's senior indebtedness or their
      representative, ratably according to the respective amounts of senior
      indebtedness held by each, to the extent necessary to pay in full all of
      that senior indebtedness remaining unpaid after giving effect to any
      concurrent payment or distributions to the holders of that senior
      indebtedness, any of Pogo Producing's assets, other than specified junior
      securities of Pogo Producing, to which the holders of subordinated debt
      securities or the trustee on behalf of those holders would be entitled but
      for the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
    No provision contained in the subordinated indenture or the subordinated
debt securities affects the obligation of Pogo Producing, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay, when due, principal of, any premium and interest on and
any additional amounts on the subordinated debt securities. The subordination
provisions of the subordinated indenture and the subordinated debt securities do
not prevent the occurrence of any default or event of default under the
subordinated indenture or limit the rights of the trustee or any holder of
subordinated debt securities, subject to the two preceding paragraphs, to pursue
any other rights or remedies under the subordinated debt securities.
    
 
   
    As a result of these subordination provisions, if a liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment
for the benefit of the creditors of Pogo Producing or any of its subsidiaries or
a marshaling of assets or liabilities of Pogo Producing and its subsidiaries
occurs, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than
other creditors.
    
 
   
    The term "senior indebtedness" of Pogo Producing, unless otherwise provided
for the subordinated debt securities of a series and described in the prospectus
supplement relating to that series, means:
    
 
   
    - all indebtedness of Pogo Producing, unless, by the terms of the instrument
      creating or evidencing that indebtedness, it is provided that the
      indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt
      securities or to other indebtedness which ranks equally with or
      subordinated to the subordinated debt securities and
    
 
   
    - any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any of
      that indebtedness or securities, notes or other evidences of indebtedness
      issued in exchange for that indebtedness; provided that in no event will
      "senior indebtedness" include (a) indebtedness of Pogo Producing owed or
      owing to any subsidiary of Pogo Producing or any officer, director or
      employee of Pogo Producing or any subsidiary of Pogo Producing, (b)
      indebtedness to trade creditors or (c) any liability for taxes owed or
      owing by Pogo Producing
    
 
   
    The term "designated senior indebtedness," unless otherwise provided for the
subordinated debt securities of a series and described in the prospectus
supplement relating to that series, means any senior indebtedness of Pogo
Producing that:
    
 
   
    - in the instrument evidencing that senior indebtedness or the assumption or
      guarantee of that senior indebtedness, or related documents to which Pogo
      Producing is a party, is expressly designated as "designated senior
      indebtedness" for purposes of the subordinated indenture and
    
 
   
    - satisfies the other conditions provided with respect to the subordinated
      debt securities of that series
    
 
   
The instrument or documents may, however, place limitations and conditions on
the rights of the holders of that senior indebtedness to exercise the rights of
designated senior indebtedness.
    
 
   
    If Pogo Producing issues subordinated debt securities under the subordinated
indenture, the related prospectus supplement will disclose the aggregate
principal amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date. The
subordinated indenture does not restrict the amount of senior indebtedness that
Pogo Producing may incur.
    
 
   
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may sell the securities under this prospectus in any of the
following three ways, or in any combination of those ways:
    
 
   
    - through underwriters or dealers
    
 
   
    - directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser or
    
 
   
    - through agents
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
    The prospectus supplement for any securities will set forth the terms of the
offering of those securities, including:
    
 
   
    - the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the
      respective amounts of the securities underwritten or purchased by each of
      them
    
 
   
    - the initial public offering price of those securities and the proceeds to
      Pogo Producing from that sale
    
 
   
    - any discounts, commissions or other items constituting compensation from
      Pogo Producing and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or
      reallowed or paid to dealers and
    
 
   
    - any securities exchanges on which those securities may be listed
    
 
   
Pogo Producing may change from time to time the offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
    
 
   
    If Pogo Producing uses underwriters to sell any of the securities, the
underwriters will acquire those securities for their own account and may resell
those securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including
negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices
the underwriters determine at the time of sale. The underwriters may sell those
securities to the public directly or through underwriting syndicates that
managing underwriters represent. Unless the prospectus supplement informs you
otherwise, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase those securities will
be subject to conditions precedent. If the underwriters purchase any of the
securities, they will be obligated to purchase all of them.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may sell the securities directly or through agents it
designates from time to time. The related prospectus supplement will name any
agent involved in the offer or sale of securities under this prospectus and will
disclose any commissions Pogo Producing will pay to those agents. Unless the
prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, those agents will be acting on a
best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
    
 
   
    If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, Pogo Producing will authorize
underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by specified purchasers to
purchase the securities from Pogo Producing at the public offering price stated
in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a future date. Those contracts will be subject only to
the conditions the prospectus supplement specifies. The prospectus supplement
will disclose the commission Pogo Producing will pay for solicitation of those
contracts.
    
 
   
    Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements they enter into
with Pogo Producing to indemnification by Pogo Producing against specified civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to
contribution for payment that others may require the agents or underwriters to
make in respect of those liabilities. Agents and underwriters may be customers
of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for Pogo Producing or any
of its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
    
 
   
    Some persons participating in the offering of the securities may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of those
securities. In connection with the offering, the underwriters or agents, as the
case may be, may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These
transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and
purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the
offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose
or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities.
Syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters or agents, as the
case may be, of a greater number of securities than they are required to
purchase from Pogo Producing in the offering. The underwriters may also impose a
penalty bid, whereby the syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to
syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the securities sold for their
account if the
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
syndicate repurchases those securities in stabilizing or covering transactions.
These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of
the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail
in the open market. Any person that commences these activities may discontinue
them at any time. Those persons may effect those transactions on the New York
Stock Exchange, on the Pacific Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise. For a description of these activities, see "Plan of Distribution" or
"Underwriting" in the relevant prospectus supplement.
    
 
   
    Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, we do not intend to
list any of the securities on a national securities exchange. Pogo Producing can
give no assurance that there will be a market for the securities.
    
 
   
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
    
 
   
    Gerald A. Morton, Vice President--Law and Corporate Secretary of Pogo
Producing, will pass upon various legal matters in connection with the
securities offered by this prospectus. Mr. Morton owns approximately 3,485
shares of common stock directly and through Pogo Producing's tax advantaged
savings plan and options to purchase an aggregate of 29,000 shares of common
stock, which are or become exercisable in periodic installments through August
1, 2001.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
   
    The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and
elsewhere in this registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
    
 
   
    Ryder Scott Petroleum Engineers prepared the estimates of oil and gas
reserves and discounted present values of estimated future net revenues
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in this registration
statement, and Pogo Producing included those items in this prospectus in
reliance upon the authority of that firm as experts with respect to those
matters.
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 30, 1999
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $250,000,000
 
                             POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
 
                      Junior Subordinated Debt Securities
                                  Common Stock
 
                                  POGO TRUST I
                                 POGO TRUST II
 
   
Trust Preferred Securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed, as described in
                              this prospectus, by
    
 
   
                             POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>
 
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE      THE TRUSTS
RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON   Pogo Trust I and Pogo Trust II are subsidiaries of Pogo Producing
PAGE 6.                     Company. The trusts are statutory business trusts created under
The information in this     Delaware law. They exist for the purpose of issuing trust preferred
prospectus is not complete  securities.
and may be changed. We may  THE OFFERING
not sell these securities   JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
until the registration      Pogo Producing may offer junior subordinated debt securities to the
statement filed with the    trusts. These debt securities will be unsecured and subordinate and
Securities and Exchange     junior in right of payment to Pogo Producing's senior debt. Pogo
Commission is effective.    Producing may issue and sell these junior subordinated debt securities
This prospectus is not an   to the trusts in connection with the trusts' investment of proceeds
offer to sell these         from the sale of their preferred securities and common securities. A
securities and it is not    trust may distribute these debt securities to holders of the trusts'
soliciting an offer to buy  trust preferred securities on that trust's dissolution. The debt
these securities in any     securities may be convertible into common stock of Pogo Producing.
state where the offer or    TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
sale is not permitted.      The trusts may offer preferred securities representing undivided
We will provide additional  beneficial interests in the assets of the issuing trust. The trusts
terms of our securities in  will use the proceeds from the sale of their preferred securities to
one or more supplements to  purchase junior subordinated debt securities of Pogo Producing.
this prospectus. You        GUARANTEE
should read this            Pogo Producing will guarantee the trusts' payment obligations on the
prospectus and the related  preferred securities as described in this prospectus and the prospectus
prospectus supplement       supplement.
carefully before you
invest in our securities.
This prospectus may not be
used to offer and sell our
securities unless
accompanied by a
prospectus supplement.
</TABLE>
    
 
    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             , 1999
    
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                                                -----
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
About This Prospectus......................................................................................           2
 
Risk Factors...............................................................................................           3
 
About Pogo Producing Company...............................................................................           6
 
Where You Can Find More Information........................................................................           7
 
Incorporation of Documents by Reference....................................................................           7
 
Forward-Looking Statements.................................................................................           8
 
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................           9
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........................................................................           9
 
The Trusts.................................................................................................           9
 
Description of the Preferred Securities....................................................................          10
 
Description of the Guarantees..............................................................................          11
 
Description of the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities.....................................................          14
 
Plan of Distribution.......................................................................................          21
 
Legal Matters..............................................................................................          22
 
Experts....................................................................................................          22
</TABLE>
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
   
    This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed by Pogo Producing
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration
process that registers preferred securities of Pogo Trust I and Pogo Trust II
and junior subordinated debt securities and preferred securities guarantees of
Pogo Producing, each of which may be sold under this prospectus. It also
registers debt securities and preferred stock of Pogo Producing, any of which
may be convertible into our common stock, and each of which may be sold under a
separate prospectus. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of
the securities described in this prospectus or the related prospectus, either
separately or in units, in one or more offerings up to an aggregate initial
offering price of $250,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general
description of the preferred securities, junior subordinated debt securities and
preferred securities guaranties. Each time we use this prospectus to sell
securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific
information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also
add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with the
additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More
Information."
    
 
   
    The registration statement that contains this prospectus, including the
exhibits to that registration statement, contains additional information about
us and the securities. You can read that registration statement at the SEC's web
site or at the SEC's offices mentioned under the heading "Where You Can Find
More Information."
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
    We have not included separate financial statements of the trusts in this
prospectus. We do not believe that those financial statements would be material
to holders of the trusts' preferred securities because:
    
 
   
    - each trust is a newly created special purpose entity
    
 
   
    - neither trust has any operating history or independent operations
    
 
   
    - neither trust is engaged in nor does it propose to engage in any activity
      other than holding Pogo Producing's junior subordinated debt securities,
      issuing its preferred and common securities and engaging in related
      activities
    
 
   
    Furthermore, Pogo Producing's obligations under the junior subordinated debt
securities, the associated indenture, the declarations of trust and the
guarantees provide a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of payments
of distributions and other amounts due on the preferred securities. In addition,
we do not expect that the trusts will file reports with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
    
 
   
                                  RISK FACTORS
    
 
   
    YOUR INVESTMENT IN ANY OF THE SECURITIES INVOLVES MANY RISKS. YOU SHOULD
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND THOSE IN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER AN INVESTMENT IN THAT SECURITY IS
SUITABLE FOR YOU.
    
 
   
WE ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LOW OIL AND GAS PRICES
    
 
   
    Commencing in 1997, and continuing through early this year, the average
prices we received for our production generally declined. Recently, oil prices
have improved somewhat, but they remain low by historic standards. Our
profitability and cash flow depend greatly on the market prices of crude oil and
natural gas. The drop in oil and gas prices has had a serious adverse effect on
our cash flow and profitability. Sustained periods of continued low prices could
seriously affect our operations and financial condition. This could result in a
further reduction in funds available under our bank credit agreement. Oil and
natural gas market prices have historically been seasonal, cyclical and
volatile. They depend on many factors that we cannot control such as weather and
economic, political and regulatory conditions.
    
 
   
CHEVRON WILL SOON BECOME THE OPERATOR OF OUR THAILAND BLOCK B8/32 CONCESSION,
  AND WE NOW SHARE CONTROL OVER DECISION-MAKING WITH CHEVRON
    
 
   
    Chevron Corporation recently acquired Rutherford-Moran Oil Corporation, one
of our joint venture partners in Thailand. In connection with the acquisition,
we agreed to transfer operatorship of the Block B8/32 Concession in Thailand to
Chevron on or about September 30, 1999, subject to Thai governmental approval.
In the new joint operating agreement governing the concession both Chevron and
Pogo Producing, based on current ownership interests, must jointly agree on most
major decisions, including capital budgets and drilling decisions. If we and
Chevron are unable to agree on these matters, it could slow the pace of
development of the concession and adversely affect our future results.
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
OPERATORS OF OUR PROPERTIES OUTSIDE OF THAILAND THAT WE DO NOT OPERATE MAY ACT
  IN WAYS THAT ARE NOT IN OUR BEST INTERESTS
    
 
   
    We do not operate a significant percentage of our oil and gas properties
outside of Thailand. We have limited influence over operations on some of those
properties. Our limited influence on non-operated properties could result in the
following:
    
 
   
    - the operator may initiate exploration or development projects on a slower
      schedule than we prefer
    
 
   
    - the operator may propose to drill more wells or build more facilities on a
      project than we have funds for, which may mean that we cannot participate
      in those projects or share in a substantial share of the revenues from
      those projects
    
 
   
    - if the operator refuses to initiate an exploration or development project
      we may not be able to pursue the project
    
 
   
Any of these events could significantly affect our anticipated exploration and
development activities and the economic value of those properties to us.
    
 
   
IF OUR PARTNERS HAVE LIQUIDITY AND CASH FLOW PROBLEMS, WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY
  FINANCING AND DEVELOPING OUR PROJECTS
    
 
   
    Due to the recent decline in oil and gas prices, some of our partners,
particularly the smaller ones, are experiencing liquidity and cash flow
problems. These problems may lead to their attempting to delay or slow down the
pace of drilling or project development to a point that we believe is
detrimental to the project. In most cases, we have the ability to influence the
pace of development through our joint operating agreements. In addition, some
partners may be unwilling or unable to pay their share of the costs of projects
as they become due. At worst, a partner may declare bankruptcy and refuse or be
unable to pay its share of the costs of a project. We could then be required to
pay that partner's share of the project costs.
    
 
   
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE OUR RESERVES OR GENERATE CASH FLOW IF WE ARE
  UNABLE TO RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO MEET OUR 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. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" in our report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998.
    
 
   
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROFITABLY MARKET AND SELL ALL OF THE NATURAL GAS PRODUCED
  FROM OUR CONCESSION IN THAILAND
    
 
   
    We may not be able to successfully and profitably process, transport and
market all the oil and gas we find and produce on our concession in the Gulf of
Thailand. Currently, the only buyer for the natural gas we produce is The
Petroleum Authority of Thailand, which maintains a monopoly over gas
transmission and distribution in Thailand. Although to date, the Petroleum
Authority has purchased all of the natural gas that we are capable of producing,
we cannot assure you that it will continue to do so.
    
 
   
OUR GAS SALES AGREEMENT IN THAILAND REQUIRES US TO SELL A PORTION OF OUR
  THAILAND PRODUCTION AT A REDUCED PRICE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT MEETING OUR MINIMUM
  DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS
    
 
   
    We are currently receiving a reduced price on a portion of our current
production in Thailand because we and our joint venture partners have delivered
less natural gas than the Petroleum Authority
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
   
has nominated under our gas sales agreement. If we and our partners fail to
deliver the minimum quantities under the gas sales agreement, the Petroleum
Authority has the right to reduce the purchase price on an equivalent amount of
subsequent deliveries to 75% of the contract price. Since October 1, 1998, we
have not been able to meet our contractual minimum delivery obligations for a
number of reasons, including declining production from existing wells, the need
to shut-in existing wells while drilling or working over additional wells from
the same platform and our decision to emphasize oil and condensate production
from the Tantawan Field. This has resulted in our receiving a lower price for
our Thailand natural gas production than would otherwise be the case. We
currently anticipate that this situation will be resolved when production
commences from the Benchamas Field in the third quarter of 1999, but we can give
you no assurance that this will occur.
    
 
   
    The Petroleum Authority has paid to construct lateral pipelines from its
main pipeline to the Tantawan Field and the Benchamas Field and has agreed to
purchase the gas produced from these fields. If we and our joint venture
partners do not deliver the specified quantity of reserves under our gas sales
agreement with the Petroleum Authority, we may have to reimburse the Petroleum
Authority a part of its costs for the construction of these lateral pipelines.
    
 
   
EVENTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA CAN HURT OUR CASH FLOW
    
 
   
    Beginning in 1997, Southeast Asia in general, and the Kingdom of Thailand in
particular, have experienced severe economic difficulties. These problems
include sharply reduced economic activity, illiquidity, highly volatile foreign
currency exchange rates and unstable stock markets. Economic difficulties in
Thailand and the volatility of the Thai Baht, Thailand's currency, against the
U.S. dollar will continue to have a material impact on our Thailand operations
and the prices we receive for our oil and gas production there.
    
 
   
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY OUR YEAR 2000 RISKS
    
 
   
    We use computer systems, specialized software, embedded processors and
related technologies for revenue-generating activities. Like most other
companies, we are striving to ensure that these computer-related systems are
able to recognize and process date-sensitive information properly as the year
2000 approaches. Systems that do not properly recognize and process this
information could generate erroneous data or even fail. We have not completed
our year 2000 assessment, and we cannot assure you that all our systems and
applications will continue without interruption due to the year 2000 problem. If
some of our systems and applications, or those of third parties of business
importance to us, do not comply in a timely manner and if we are unable to
develop adequate contingency plans for our various business units, the year 2000
issue could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
    
 
   
MAINTAINING RESERVES AND REVENUES IN THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON SUCCESSFUL
  EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
    
 
   
    We must continually acquire or explore for and develop 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, acquisition or
exploration 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.
    
 
   
WE ARE SUBJECT TO CASUALTY RISKS IN OUR ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE ACTIVITIES.
    
 
   
    Our operations are subject to inherent casualty risks such as blowouts,
fires, explosions and marine hazards. If they occur, these events could result
in substantial financial losses due to personal injury, property damage,
environmental discharge or suspension of operations. Because we are a relatively
small oil and gas company, the impact on us of one of these events could be
significant. We are not fully insured against all casualty risks incident to our
business.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
YOU SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON OUR RESERVE DATA BECAUSE THEY ARE
  ESTIMATES
    
 
   
    No one can measure underground accumulations of oil and gas in an exact way.
Projecting future production rates and the timing 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 gas we ultimately recover. Estimates of other engineers might differ
materially from those of our independent reserve engineers, Ryder Scott Company
Petroleum Engineers. Ryder Scott may make material changes to reserve estimates
based on changes in oil and gas prices, new technology and the results of actual
drilling, testing, and production. To estimate economically recoverable
reserves, we also make various assumptions regarding future oil and 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.
    
 
   
                          ABOUT POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
    
 
   
    We are an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, based
in Houston, Texas. Incorporated in 1970, we have, in recent years, established a
record of increasing our proven hydrocarbon reserves, principally through
exploration, exploitation and development of our properties and the selective
acquisition of additional interests in producing properties in which we already
have an interest. Through a portfolio of domestic and international properties,
we concentrate our efforts on a mix of both offshore and onshore opportunities
which provide a balanced exposure to oil and natural gas production. In recent
years, we have concentrated our efforts in selected areas where we believe that
our expertise, competitive acreage position, or ability to quickly take
advantage of new opportunities offer the possibility of relatively high rates of
return. Domestically, we have an extensive Gulf of Mexico reserve and acreage
position and we are also active in the Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico and
west Texas and in other selected areas of Texas and Louisiana. Through our
subsidiary Thaipo Limited, we own an interest in the 734,000 acre Block B8/32
Concession license in the Gulf of Thailand where we currently serve as operator.
Subject to approval by the government of Thailand, Thaipo has agreed to transfer
operatorship of the Thailand concession to a subsidiary of Chevron on or about
September 30, 1999. Through other subsidiaries we also own interests in
approximately 142,000 gross acres in Canada, 780,000 acres in Hungary and
113,000 gross acres in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea.
    
 
   
BUSINESS STRATEGY
    
 
   
    Our strategy is to maximize profitability and shareholder value by:
    
 
   
    - increasing hydrocarbon production levels, leading to increased revenues,
      cash flow and earnings
    
 
   
    - replacing and expanding our proven hydrocarbon reserves base
    
 
   
    - maintaining appropriate levels of debt and interest, and controlling
      overhead and operating costs, and
    
 
   
    - expanding exploration and production activities into new and promising
      geographic areas consistent with our expertise.
    
 
   
    You should consider carefully the information under the caption "Risk
Factors." One or more of those risks could negatively impact our ability to
implement successfully our business strategy described above.
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
   
    Pogo Producing's principal executive offices are located at the following
address:
    
 
   
          Pogo Producing Company
           5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
           Houston, Texas 77046
           (713) 297-5017
    
 
   
    Additional information concerning us and our subsidiaries is included in our
reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See
"Where you can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
    
 
   
                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
    
 
   
    We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the
Internet at the SEC's web site at HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. You may also read and copy
any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the
documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the
SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference
facilities.
    
 
   
                    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
    
 
   
    We "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file
with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this prospectus and information that we subsequently file
with the SEC will automatically update this prospectus. We incorporate by
reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after
the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus
and prior to the time that we sell all the securities offered by this
prospectus:
    
 
   
    - Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998;
    
 
   
    - The description of our common stock contained in our registration
      statement on Form 8-A, as may be amended from time to time to update that
      description;
    
 
   
    - The descriptions of our rights associated with our common stock contained
      in our registration statement on Form 8-A, as may be amended from time to
      time to update that description.
    
 
   
    You may request a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to a filing
unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing,
at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:
    
 
   
          Pogo Producing Company
           Corporate Secretary
           5 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2700
           Houston, Texas 77046
           (713) 297-5017
    
 
   
    You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or in this
prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. We may only use this
prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
We are only offering these securities in states where the offer is permitted.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or the applicable
prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the dates on the
front of those documents.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    
 
   
    This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement contain and
incorporate by reference forward-looking statements. We intend the use of any of
the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "may," "project," "believe" and
similar expressions to identify uncertainties. Although we believe the
expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, they
do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and we cannot assure that those
expectations will prove to have been correct. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements. The
following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from
those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement:
    
 
   
    - the cyclical nature of the oil and natural gas industries
    
 
   
    - uncertainties associated with the United States' and worldwide economies
    
 
   
    - current and potential governmental regulatory actions in countries where
      we own an interest
    
 
   
    - substantial competitor production increases resulting in oversupply and
      declining prices
    
 
   
    - our ability to implement cost reductions
    
 
   
    - our ability to raise additional capital or sell assets
    
 
   
    - operating interruptions, including leaks, explosions, fires, mechanical
      failure, unscheduled downtime, transportation interruptions, and spills
      and releases and other environmental risks
    
 
   
    - fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in areas of the world
      where we own an interest, particularly Southeast Asia
    
 
   
    - covenant restrictions in our indebtedness
    
 
   
    - the impact of the Year 2000 issue
    
 
   
    Many of those factors are beyond our ability to control or predict.
Management cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements
or projecting any future results based on those 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
and the accompanying prospectus supplement.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    Unless we inform you otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we anticipate
that any net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus will be
used for general corporate purposes, such as:
    
 
    - repayments or refinancings of indebtedness
 
    - working capital
 
    - capital expenditures
 
    - acquisitions
 
   
    - repurchases or redemptions of our equity securities
    
 
    - investment in short-term securities
 
   
    Each trust will use all proceeds it receives from the sale of its securities
to purchase junior subordinated debt securities from Pogo Producing.
    
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
   
    Pogo Producing's consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the
periods shown are as follows:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                             1994       1995       1996       1997       1998
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......................................       5.1x       2.1x       4.6x       3.2x         (1)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Earnings are insufficient to cover fixed charges by $80,230,000.
 
   
    For purposes of this ratio, earnings are defined as income before income
taxes plus fixed charges excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist
of interest expense and the estimated interest component of rent expense.
    
 
                                   THE TRUSTS
 
   
    GENERAL
    
 
   
    Each of Pogo Trust I and Pogo Trust II is a Delaware business trust. The
principal office of each trust is c/o Pogo Producing Company, 5 Greenway Plaza,
Suite 2700, Houston, Texas 77046, and the telephone number is (713) 297-5000.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing will own all the common securities of each trust. Each trust
will use the proceeds from the sale of the preferred securities and the common
securities to purchase a series of Pogo Producing's junior subordinated debt
securities. The trusts exist only to issue the preferred and common securities,
invest in and hold Pogo Producing's junior subordinated debt securities and
engage in related activities.
    
 
   
    There are five trustees of each trust. Three of them, referred to as regular
trustees, will be officers of Pogo Producing. Wilmington Trust Company will
serve as the other two trustees, acting as the property trustee and as the
Delaware trustee.
    
 
   
    The prospectus supplement will provide you with additional information about
the issuing trust and its trustees.
    
 
   
    PREFERRED SECURITIES
    
 
   
    Each preferred security represents an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the trust. Each preferred security will entitle the holder to receive
cash distributions as described in this prospectus and in the prospectus
supplement.
    
 
   
    The prospectus supplement will provide you with additional information about
the preferred securities.
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
                    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES
    
 
   
    Each trust may issue only one series of preferred securities. Pogo Producing
will describe the terms of that series in the prospectus supplement. The terms
of the preferred securities will include those stated in the amended and
restated declaration of trust and those made a part of that declaration by the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939. For a complete description of the preferred
securities, Pogo Producing encourages you to read the prospectus supplement and
the amended and restated declaration of trust, a form of which Pogo Producing
has filed with the SEC. Please read "Where You Can Find More Information."
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing will guarantee the preferred securities to the extent
described under "Description of the Preferred Securities Guarantees." The
prospectus supplement relating to preferred securities being offered will
include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some
or all of the following:
    
 
   
    - the designation of the preferred securities
    
 
   
    - the number of preferred securities issued by the trust
    
 
   
    - the annual distribution rate, the distribution payment dates and the
      record dates for distribution payments
    
 
   
    - whether distributions will be cumulative and, if so, the dates from which
      distributions will be cumulative
    
 
   
    - the amounts that will be paid out of the assets of the trust to the
      holders of preferred securities upon dissolution, winding-up or
      termination of the trust
    
 
   
    - any repurchase or redemption provisions
    
 
   
    - any voting rights of the preferred securities in addition to those
      required by law
    
 
   
    - terms for any conversion or exchange of the preferred securities into
      other securities
    
 
   
    - any rights to defer distributions on the preferred securities by extending
      the interest payment period on the junior subordinated debt securities
    
 
   
    - any other relevant terms, rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or
      restrictions of the preferred securities
    
 
   
Pogo Producing also will describe in the prospectus supplement United States
federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of preferred
securities.
    
 
   
    When it issues preferred securities, each trust also will issue one series
of common securities with the terms established in the declaration of trust.
Pogo Producing will own all the common securities directly or indirectly. The
common securities will have the right to vote and to appoint, remove and replace
any trustee of the trust. The terms of the common securities will be
substantially identical to the terms of the preferred securities. The common
securities will rank equally with the preferred securities, and the trust will
make payments on the common securities on a pro rata basis with the preferred
securities. If an event of default under the declaration of trust occurs and is
continuing, however, the rights of a holder of common securities to payment of
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and maturity will rank
junior to the rights of a holder of preferred securities. An event of default
under the declaration of trust will occur upon the occurrence of an event of
default under the junior subordinated debentures.
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
   
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEES
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing will guarantee the following:
    
 
   
    - periodic cash distributions on the preferred securities out of funds held
      by the property trustee of the trust
    
 
   
    - payments on liquidation of each trust
    
 
   
    - payments on redemption of preferred securities of each trust
    
 
   
Wilmington Trust Company, as guarantee trustee, will hold the guarantee for the
benefit of the holders of preferred securities.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing has summarized selected provisions of the guarantees below.
This summary is not complete. For a complete description, Pogo Producing
encourages you to read the guarantee, which Pogo Producing has filed with the
SEC. Please read "Where You Can Find More Information."
    
 
   
GENERAL
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing will agree to pay you in full the following amounts if they
are not paid by the trust:
    
 
   
    - any accumulated and unpaid distributions on preferred securities and any
      redemption price for preferred securities called for redemption by the
      trust
    
 
   
    - payments upon the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust
      equal to the lesser of:
    
 
   
       - the liquidation amount plus all accumulated and unpaid distributions on
         the preferred securities to the extent the trust has funds legally
         available for those payments and
    
 
   
       - the amount of assets of the trust remaining legally available for
         distribution to the holders of preferred securities in liquidation of
         the trust
    
 
   
        Pogo Producing will not be required to make these liquidation payments
    if:
    
 
   
       - the trust distributes the junior subordinated debentures to the holders
         of preferred securities in exchange for their preferred securities or
    
 
   
       - the trust redeems the preferred securities upon the maturity or
         redemption of the junior subordinated debt securities
    
 
   
Pogo Producing may satisfy its obligation to make a guarantee payment either by
making payment directly to the holders of preferred securities or by causing the
applicable trust to make the payment to them.
    
 
   
    Each guarantee is a guarantee from the time of issuance of the applicable
series of preferred securities. THE GUARANTEE ONLY COVERS, HOWEVER,
DISTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER PAYMENTS ON PREFERRED SECURITIES IF AND TO THE EXTENT
THAT POGO PRODUCING HAS MADE CORRESPONDING PAYMENTS ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBT SECURITIES TO THE APPLICABLE PROPERTY TRUSTEE. IF POGO PRODUCING DOES NOT
MAKE THOSE CORRESPONDING PAYMENTS, THAT TRUSTEE WILL NOT MAKE DISTRIBUTIONS ON
THE PREFERRED SECURITIES AND THE TRUST WILL NOT HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR
PAYMENTS.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's obligations under the declaration of trust for each trust,
the guarantees, the junior subordinated debt securities and the indenture will
provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis of payments
due on the preferred securities.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
COVENANTS OF POGO PRODUCING
    
 
   
    In each guarantee, Pogo Producing will agree that, as long as any preferred
securities issued by the applicable trust are outstanding, Pogo Producing will
not make the payments and distributions described below if either:
    
 
   
    - it is in default on its guarantee payments or other payment obligations
      under the related guarantee
    
 
   
    - any event of default under the applicable declaration of trust has
      occurred or
    
 
   
    - Pogo Producing has elected to defer payments of interest on the junior
      subordinated debt securities by extending the interest payment period and
      that deferral period is continuing
    
 
   
In these circumstances, Pogo Producing will agree that it will not:
    
 
   
    - declare or pay any dividends on its capital stock or redeem, purchase,
      acquire or make a distribution or liquidation payment with respect to its
      capital stock other than:
    
 
   
       - dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants, rights
         to subscribe for or purchase shares of, its common stock
    
 
   
       - transactions relating to a shareholders' rights plan
    
 
   
       - as a result of a reclassification of its capital stock or the exchange
         or conversion of one class or series of its capital stock for another
         class or series of its capital stock
    
 
   
       - the payment of accrued dividends and the purchase of fractional share
         interests upon conversion or exchange of its capital stock
    
 
   
       - purchases of its shares of common stock related to benefit plans,
         dividend reinvestment plans or stock purchase plans
    
 
   
    - make any payments on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt that ranks
      equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities
    
 
   
    - make any guarantee payments on any guarantee by Pogo Producing of the debt
      of any of its subsidiaries, other than a payment under a guarantee related
      to a series of the trust preferred securities, if that guarantee ranks
      equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities
    
 
   
In addition, as long as preferred securities issued by any trust are
outstanding, Pogo Producing will agree that it will:
    
 
   
    - remain the sole direct or indirect owner of all the outstanding common
      securities of that trust, except as permitted by the applicable
      declaration of trust
    
 
   
    - permit the common securities of that trust to be transferred only as
      permitted by the declaration of trust, except to a successor of Pogo
      Producing under the indenture for the junior subordinate debt securities
    
 
   
    - use reasonable efforts to cause that trust to continue to be treated as a
      grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, except in
      connection with a distribution of junior subordinated debt securities to
      the holders of preferred securities as provided in the declaration of
      trust
    
 
   
AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may amend each guarantee without the consent of any holder of
preferred securities if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights of
the holders in any material respect.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
In all other cases, Pogo Producing may amend each guarantee only with the prior
approval of the holders of at least a majority in liquidation amount of the
outstanding preferred securities issued by the applicable trust. The manner in
which Pogo Producing will obtain that approval will be described in the
prospectus supplement.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may assign its obligations under the guarantees only in
connection with a consolidation, merger or asset sale involving Pogo Producing
permitted under the indenture.
    
 
   
TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE
    
 
   
    A guarantee will terminate upon:
    
 
   
    - full payment of the redemption price of all preferred securities of the
      applicable trust
    
 
   
    - distribution of the junior subordinated debt securities to the holders of
      the preferred securities and common securities of that trust in exchange
      for all the securities issued by that trust or
    
 
   
    - full payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of that trust
    
 
   
Each guarantee will, however, continue to be effective or will be reinstated if
any holder of preferred securities must repay any amounts paid on those
preferred securities or under the guarantee.
    
 
   
STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing's obligation under each guarantee to make guarantee payments
will be:
    
 
   
    - unsecured
    
 
   
    - subordinated and junior in right of payment to all its other liabilities,
      including the junior subordinated debt securities, except those
      liabilities made equal or subordinate to the guarantee by their terms
    
 
   
    - senior to the following:
    
 
   
       - all capital stock (other than the most senior preferred shares issued,
         from time to time, by Pogo Producing, which will rank equally with each
         guarantee) issued by Pogo Producing and
    
 
   
       - any guarantee entered into by Pogo Producing relating to its capital
         stock (other than the most senior preferred shares issued, from time to
         time, by Pogo Producing)
    
 
   
Pogo Producing's obligations under each guarantee will rank equally with
obligations under other guarantee agreements that Pogo Producing may enter into
from time to time if both:
    
 
   
    - the agreements are in substantially the form of the preferred securities
      guarantee and provide for comparable guarantees by Pogo Producing of
      payment on preferred securities issued by other trusts or financing
      vehicles of Pogo Producing and
    
 
   
    - the debt relating to those preferred securities are junior subordinated,
      unsecured indebtedness of Pogo Producing
    
 
   
Pogo Producing's obligations under each guarantee will be effectively junior to
all debt and preferred stock of its subsidiaries. By your acceptance of the
preferred securities, you agree to the subordination provisions and other terms
of the related guarantee.
    
 
   
    Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not merely of
collection. This means that you may institute a legal proceeding directly
against Pogo Producing to enforce your payment rights under the guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity.
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
    Pogo Producing will deposit each guarantee with the guarantee trustee,
acting in its additional role as indenture trustee, to be held for the benefit
of the holders of preferred securities. The guarantee trustee will have the
right to enforce the guarantee on behalf of those holders. In most cases, the
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the preferred securities issued
by the applicable trust will have the right to direct the time, method and place
of:
    
 
   
    - conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable
      guarantee trustee or
    
 
   
    - exercising any trust or other power conferred upon that guarantee trustee
      under the applicable guarantee
    
 
   
    If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce the guarantee, you may institute a
legal proceeding directly against Pogo Producing to enforce your rights under
that guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
applicable trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.
    
 
   
MISCELLANEOUS
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing will be required to provide annually to the guarantee trustee
a statement as to its performance of its obligations and its compliance with all
conditions under the guarantee.
    
 
   
    The guarantee trustee normally will perform only those duties specifically
given to it in the applicable guarantee. There are no implied covenants in the
guarantee. If a default occurs on a guarantee, the guarantee trustee will use
the same degree of care and skill in exercise of its powers under the guarantee
as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
his own affairs. The guarantee trustee will become obligated to exercise any of
its rights or powers under the guarantee at the request or direction of any
holder of the applicable series of preferred securities only if it is offered
security and indemnity satisfactory to it.
    
 
   
GOVERNING LAW
    
 
   
    New York law will govern the guarantees.
    
 
   
             DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may issue from time to time one or more series of junior
subordinated debt securities under an indenture between it and Wilmington Trust
Company, as indenture trustee. Pogo Producing has summarized selected provisions
of the indenture and the junior subordinated debt securities below. This summary
is not complete. For a complete description, Pogo Producing encourages you to
read the indenture, a form of which Pogo Producing has filed with the SEC.
Please read "Where You Can Find More Information."
    
 
   
GENERAL
    
 
   
    The junior subordinated debt securities will be the unsecured junior
subordinated obligations of Pogo Producing. The indenture does not limit the
amount of debt securities that Pogo Producing may issue under the indenture or
the amount of additional debt that Pogo Producing or any of its subsidiaries may
incur. In any liquidation, reorganization or insolvency proceeding involving
Pogo Producing, the rights of Pogo Producing and its creditors, including the
holders of junior subordinated debt securities, will be effectively junior to
the claims of holders of any debt or preferred stock of Pogo Producing's
subsidiaries.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may issue junior subordinated debt securities under the
indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount Pogo
Producing authorizes prior to issuance. If Pogo Producing issues junior
subordinated debt securities to a trust in connection with the issuance of
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
preferred and common securities by that trust, those junior subordinated debt
securities subsequently may be distributed pro rata to the holders of the
preferred and common securities either:
    
 
   
    - upon the dissolution of the trust at the election of Pogo Producing or
    
 
   
    - upon the occurrence of events that Pogo Producing will describe in the
      prospectus supplement
    
 
   
Pogo Producing will issue only one series of junior subordinated debt securities
to each trust.
    
 
   
    The prospectus supplement will include specific terms relating to the junior
subordinated debt securities. These terms will include some or all of the
following:
    
 
   
    - the designation of the debt securities
    
 
   
    - any maximum total principal amount of the debt securities that Pogo
      Producing may issue
    
 
   
    - the purchase price of and any premium on the debt securities
    
 
   
    - the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be
      payable and the right to shorten, extend or defer the dates
    
 
   
    - the interest rate, whether fixed or variable, the date from which interest
      will accrue, interest payment dates and record dates for interest payments
    
 
   
    - any right to extend or defer the interest payment periods and the duration
      of the extension
    
 
   
    - any provisions for redemption at Pogo Producing's option
    
 
   
    - any provisions that would obligate Pogo Producing to redeem or purchase
      the debt securities
    
 
   
    - any provisions for exchange, conversion or prepayment of the debt
      securities
    
 
   
    - any material United States federal income tax consequences
    
 
   
    - whether and under what circumstances Pogo Producing will pay any
      additional amounts on the debt securities and whether Pogo Producing will
      have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the
      additional amounts
    
 
   
    - whether payments on the debt securities will be made without deduction for
      taxes, assessments or governmental charges
    
 
   
    - the form of the debt securities
    
 
   
    - any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants described
      in this prospectus
    
 
   
    - whether Pogo Producing will issue the debt securities in the form of one
      or more global securities and the identity of any depositary
    
 
   
    - any other terms of that series of debt securities
    
 
   
    Unless Pogo Producing informs you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, it
will issue the junior subordinated debt securities:
    
 
   
    - in United States dollars
    
 
   
    - in fully registered form
    
 
   
    - without coupons
    
 
   
    - in denominations of $50 or integral multiples of $50
    
 
   
    Holders of junior subordinated debt securities may present them for exchange
and for transfer as described in the indenture and the prospectus supplement.
Pogo Producing will not impose a service
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. Pogo
Producing may, however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental
charge payable for that registration.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may sell the junior subordinated debt securities at a
discount, which may be substantial, below their stated principal amount. These
debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of
issuance is below market rates. The prospectus supplement will describe any
material United States federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations.
    
 
   
COVENANTS OF POGO PRODUCING APPLICABLE TO THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT
  SECURITIES
    
 
   
    In the indenture, Pogo Producing will agree that, as long as any preferred
securities issued by the applicable trust are outstanding, Pogo Producing will
not make the payments and distributions described below if either:
    
 
   
    - it is in default on its guarantee payments or other payment obligations
      under the related guarantee
    
 
   
    - any event of default under the indenture with respect to the applicable
      series of junior subordinated debt securities has occurred or
    
 
   
    - Pogo Producing has elected to defer payments of interest on those debt
      securities by extending the interest payment period and that deferral
      period is continuing
    
 
   
In these circumstances, Pogo Producing will agree that it will not:
    
 
   
    - declare or pay any dividends on its capital stock or redeem, purchase,
      acquire or make a distribution or liquidation payment with respect to its
      capital stock other than:
    
 
   
       - dividends or distributions in its shares of, or options, warrants,
         rights to subscribe for or purchase its shares of, its common stock
    
 
   
       - transactions relating to a shareholders' rights plan
    
 
   
       - as a result of a reclassification of its capital stock or the exchange
         or conversion of one class or series of its capital stock for another
         class or series of its capital stock
    
 
   
       - the payment of accrued dividends and the purchase of fractional share
         interests upon conversion or exchange of its capital stock
    
 
   
       - purchases of its common stock related to benefit plans, dividend
         reinvestment plans or stock purchase plans
    
 
   
    - make any payments on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt that ranks
      equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities
    
 
   
    - make any guarantee payments on any guarantee by Pogo Producing of the debt
      of any of its subsidiaries, other than a payment under a guarantee related
      to a series of the trust preferred securities, if that guarantee ranks
      equally with or junior to the junior subordinated debt securities
    
 
   
In addition, as long as preferred securities issued by any trust are
outstanding, Pogo Producing will agree that it will:
    
 
   
    - remain the sole direct or indirect owner of all the outstanding common
      securities of that trust, except as permitted by the applicable
      declaration of trust
    
 
   
    - permit the common securities of that trust to be transferred only as
      permitted by the declaration of trust, except to a successor of Pogo
      Producing under the indenture
    
 
   
    - comply with its obligations and agreements in the declaration of trust
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
    - use reasonable efforts to cause that trust to continue to be treated as a
      grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes, except in
      connection with a distribution of junior subordinated debt securities to
      the holders of preferred securities as provided in the declaration of
      trust
    
 
   
SUBORDINATION
    
 
   
    Payment of principal of, any premium and interest on the junior subordinated
debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of all current and future senior debt of Pogo
Producing.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may make no payment of principal, any premium or interest on
the junior subordinated debt securities if:
    
 
   
    - it is in default on its obligation to pay the principal, premium, interest
      or any other amounts on any senior debt
    
 
   
    - the maturity of any senior debt has been accelerated because of a default
    
 
   
This restriction on payment will continue until the default is cured or waived
or ceases to exist or until Pogo Producing has discharged or paid the
accelerated senior debt in full.
    
 
   
    If the maturity of the junior subordinated debt securities is accelerated,
Pogo Producing will make no payments, including redemption payments, on those
debt securities until the holders of all senior debt are paid in full, including
any amounts due upon acceleration.
    
 
   
    The subordination does not affect Pogo Producing's obligation, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay, when due, principal of, any premium and
interest on the junior subordinated debt securities. In addition, the
subordination does not prevent the occurrence of any default under the
indenture.
    
 
   
    The indenture will not limit the amount of senior debt that Pogo Producing
may incur. As a result of the subordination of the junior subordinated debt
securities, if Pogo Producing became insolvent, holders of junior subordinated
debt securities may receive less on a proportionate basis than other creditors.
    
 
   
    "Senior debt" generally means all notes or other indebtedness, including
guarantees, of Pogo Producing for money borrowed and similar obligations, unless
the indebtedness:
    
 
   
    - is without recourse
    
 
   
    - states that it is subordinated to or equal with the junior subordinated
      debt securities
    
 
   
INDENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT
    
 
   
    The following are events of default with respect to a series of junior
subordinated debt securities:
    
 
   
    - failure to pay interest on that series of debt securities for 90 days,
      unless Pogo Producing has validly extended the interest payment period
    
 
   
    - failure to pay principal of or any premium on that series of debt
      securities when due
    
 
   
    - failure to deposit any sinking fund payment for 90 days
    
 
   
    - failure to comply in any material respect with any other covenant or
      agreement in the indenture for that series of debt securities (other than
      an agreement, covenant or provision that is included in the indenture
      solely for the benefit of other series of junior subordinated debt
      securities) for 90 days after written notice to Pogo Producing by the
      indenture trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
      the outstanding debt securities of that series
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
   
    - bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events of Pogo Producing
    
 
   
    - any other event of default applicable to that series of debt securities
    
 
   
    If an event of default for any series of junior subordinated debt securities
occurs and is continuing, the indenture trustee or the holders of at least 25%
in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by
the default may declare the principal of those debt securities to be due and
payable. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding junior
subordinated debt securities of the series affected by the default may rescind
the accelerated payment requirement and waive the default if Pogo Producing:
    
 
   
    - has cured default and
    
 
   
    - has deposited with the indenture trustee an amount sufficient to pay all
      matured installments of interest and principal, except those caused by the
      acceleration, and any premium
    
 
   
    In most cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
junior subordinated debt securities of a series may direct the time, method and
place of:
    
 
   
    - conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture
      trustee or
    
 
   
    - exercising any trust or power conferred on the indenture trustee with
      respect to that series
    
 
   
    The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding junior
subordinated debt securities of a series may waive any past default with respect
to those debt securities. Those holders may waive any default in the payment of
principal, any premium or interest, however, only if Pogo Producing:
    
 
   
    - has cured default and
    
 
   
    - has deposited with the indenture trustee an amount sufficient to pay all
      matured installments of interest and principal, except those caused by
      acceleration, and any premium
    
 
   
In addition, those holders may not waive any call for redemption of the junior
subordinated debt securities of that series.
    
 
   
    The indenture requires Pogo Producing to file annually with the indenture
trustee a certificate as to its compliance with the conditions and covenants
contained in the indenture.
    
 
   
    An event of default under the indenture for a series of junior subordinated
debt securities will constitute an event of default under the declaration of
trust for the applicable series of preferred securities. A holder of preferred
securities may directly institute a proceeding against Pogo Producing for
enforcement of payment to that holder of principal, any premium or interest if:
    
 
   
    - an event of default under the applicable declaration of trust has occurred
      and is continuing and
    
 
   
    - that event of default is attributable to Pogo Producing's failure to pay
      principal, any premium or interest on the applicable series of junior
      subordinated debt securities when due
    
 
   
In any such proceeding, Pogo Producing will be subrogated to the rights of the
holder under the applicable declaration of trust to the extent of any payment
Pogo Producing makes to the holder in the proceeding. Except as described in the
preceding sentences or in the prospectus supplement, the holders of preferred
securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to
the holders of the junior subordinated debt securities.
    
 
   
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing and the indenture trustee may amend or supplement the
indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
junior subordinated debt securities of all series
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
issued under the indenture and affected by the amendment or supplement, acting
as one class, consent to it. Without the consent of the holder of each debt
security affected, however, no amendment or supplement may:
    
 
   
    - extend the fixed maturity of the debt security
    
 
   
    - reduce the principal amounts of the debt security
    
 
   
    - reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt
      security
    
 
   
    - reduce any premium payable on the redemption of the debt security
    
 
   
    - reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an
      amendment, supplement or waiver
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing and the indenture trustee may amend or supplement the
indenture without the consent of any holders of junior subordinated debt
securities:
    
 
   
    - to provide for the assumption of Pogo Producing's obligations under the
      indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer
    
 
   
    - to add additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for
      the protection of the holders of the debt securities
    
 
   
    - to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any defect or
      inconsistency
    
 
   
    - to change any provision of the indenture effective after there are no
      outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to the benefit of that
      provision
    
 
   
    - to provide for the issuance of debt securities in coupon form
    
 
   
    - to provide for the acceptance of a successor trustee
    
 
   
    - to qualify or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust
      Indenture Act of 1939
    
 
   
    - to establish the form or terms of a series of debt securities
    
 
   
    - to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder
      of debt securities in any material respect
    
 
   
BOOK-ENTRY AND SETTLEMENT
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may issue the junior subordinated debt securities of a series
in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a
depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. The
prospectus supplement will describe:
    
 
   
    - any circumstances under which beneficial owners may exchange their
      interests in a global debt security for certificated junior subordinated
      debt securities of the same series with the same total principal amount
      and the same terms
    
 
   
    - the manner in which Pogo Producing will pay principal of and any premium
      and interest on a global debt security
    
 
   
    - the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of
      owners of beneficial interests in any global debt security
    
 
   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE
    
 
   
    The indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between Pogo
Producing and another entity. It also permits the sale by Pogo Producing of all
or substantially all of its assets. Pogo Producing
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
has agreed, however, that it will consolidate with or merge into any entity or
transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any entity only
if:
    
 
   
    - Pogo Producing is the continuing corporation, or
    
 
   
    - if Pogo Producing is not the continuing corporation, the successor is
      organized and existing under the laws of any United States jurisdiction
      and assumes all of Pogo Producing's obligations under the indentures and
      the junior subordinated debt securities, and
    
 
   
    - in either case, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no
      event of default, and no event which, after notice of lapse of time or
      both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing
    
 
   
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
    
 
   
    When Pogo Producing uses the term defeasance, it means discharge from the
obligations under the indenture. Pogo Producing will be discharged from its
obligations with respect to the junior subordinated debt securities of a series
if:
    
 
   
    - Pogo Producing deposits with the indenture trustee funds or U.S.
      government securities sufficient to make all of the required payments on
      the junior subordinated debt securities of that series on the dates those
      payments are due and payable
    
 
   
    - that deposit does not result in a breach of or default under any of Pogo
      Producing's agreements and
    
 
   
    - no event or condition under the subordination provisions described above
      prevents Pogo Producing from making payments on the debt securities of
      that series on the date of the deposit
    
 
   
    Unless Pogo Producing informs you otherwise in the prospectus supplement,
Pogo Producing also will be required to deliver to the indenture trustee an
opinion of counsel that the deopsit and related defeasance would not cause the
holders of the junior subordinated debt securities to recognize income, gain or
loss for United States federal income tax purposes and would not otherwise alter
those holders' U.S. federal income tax treatment of principal, premium and
interest payments on those debt securities.
    
 
   
GOVERNING LAW
    
 
   
    New York law will govern the indenture and the junior subordinated debt
securities.
    
 
   
INFORMATION ABOUT THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
    
 
   
    Wilminton Trust Company is the trustee under the indenture. Its address is
1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19810.
    
 
   
    If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be
required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent man in the conduct of
his own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers
under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of any junior
subordinated debt securities only after those holder have offered the trustee
indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.
    
 
   
ASSIGNMENT
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may at any time assign any of its rights or obligations under
the indenture to an affiliate. Pogo Producing will, however, remain liable for
all its obligations. Pogo Producing also may assign the indenture to a successor
in a merger, consolidation or asset sale involving Pogo Producing permitted
under the indenture.
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing may sell any series of junior subordinated debt securities
and each trust may sell its preferred securities in any of the following three
ways, or in any combination of those ways:
    
 
   
    - through underwriters or dealers
    
 
   
    - directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser or
    
 
   
    - through agents
    
 
   
    The prospectus supplement for any securities will describe the terms of the
offering of those securities, including:
    
 
   
    - the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the
      respective amounts of the securities underwritten or purchased by each of
      them
    
 
   
    - the initial public offering price of those securities and the proceeds to
      Pogo Producing or the trust from that sale
    
 
   
    - any discounts, commissions or other items constituting compensation from
      Pogo Producing or the trust and any discounts, commissions or concessions
      allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and
    
 
   
    - any securities exchanges on which those securities may be listed
    
 
   
Pogo Producing or the applicable trust may change from time to time the offering
price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
    
 
   
    If Pogo Producing or the trusts use underwriters to sell any of the
securities, the underwriters will acquire those securities for their own account
and may resell those securities from time to time in one or more transactions,
including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at
varying prices the underwriters determine at the time of sale. The underwriters
may sell those securities to the public directly or through underwriting
syndicates that managing underwriters represent. Unless the prospectus
supplement informs you otherwise, the obligations of the underwriters to
purchase those securities will be subject to conditions precedent. If the
underwriters purchase any of the securities they will be obligated to purchase
all of them.
    
 
   
    Pogo Producing and the trusts may sell the securities directly or through
agents it designates from time to time. The related prospectus supplement will
name any agent involved in the offer or sale of securities under this prospectus
and will disclose any commissions Pogo Producing or the trust will pay to those
agents. Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, those agents
will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
    
 
   
    If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, Pogo Producing or the
applicable trust will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit
offers by specified purchasers to purchase the securities from Pogo Producing or
the trust at the public offering price specified in the prospectus supplement
under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future
date. Those contracts will be subject only to the conditions the prospectus
supplement specifies. The prospectus supplement will disclose the commission
Pogo Producing or the trust will pay for solicitation of those contracts.
    
 
   
    Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with
Pogo Producing and the applicable trust to indemnification by Pogo Producing or
that trust against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, or to contribution for payment that others may require
the agents or underwriters to make in respect of those liabilities. Agents and
underwriters may be customers or, engage in transactions with, or perform
services for Pogo Producing or any of its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
    Some persons participating in the offering of the securities may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of those
securities. In connection with the offering, the underwriters or agents, as the
case may be, may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These
transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and
purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the
offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose
of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities.
Syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters or agents, as the
case may be, of a greater number of securities than they are required to
purchase from Pogo Producing or the trust in the offering. The underwriters may
also impose a penalty bid, whereby the syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the securities sold for
their account if the syndicate repurchases those securities in stabilizing or
covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price
that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Any person that commences these
activities may discontinue them at any time. Those persons may effect those
transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, on the Pacific Stock Exchange, in
the over-the-counter market or otherwise. For a description of these activities,
see "Plan of Distribution" or "Underwriting" in the relevant prospectus
supplement.
    
 
   
    Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, we do not intend to
list any of the securities on a national securities exchange. Neither Pogo
Producing nor the trusts can give any assurance that there will be a market for
the securities.
    
 
   
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
    
 
   
    Unless the prospectus supplement informs you otherwise, Richards, Layton &
Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the trusts and
Pogo Producing, will pass upon various legal matters of Delaware law relating to
the validity of the preferred securities, the enforceability of the applicable
declaration of trust and the formation of the trusts.
    
 
   
    Gerald A. Morton, Vice President--Law and Corporate Secretary of Pogo
Producing, will pass upon the validity of the guarantee and the junior
subordinated debt securities. Mr. Morton owns approximately 3,485 shares of
common stock directly and through Pogo Producing's tax advantaged savings plan
and options to purchase an aggregate of 29,000 shares of common stock, which are
or become exercisable in periodic installments through August 1, 2001.
    
 
   
                                    EXPERTS
    
 
   
    The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and
elsewhere in this registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen,
LLP, independent accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
    
 
   
    Ryder Scott Petroleum Engineers prepared the estimates of oil and gas
reserves and discounted present values of estimated future net revenues
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in this registration
statement, and Pogo Producing included those items in this prospectus in
reliance upon the authority of that firm as experts with respect to those
matters.
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The following table sets forth the estimated expenses payable by the Company
in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Registration fee..................................................  $  69,500
Printing expenses.................................................     20,000
Accounting fees and expenses......................................     20,500
Legal fees and expenses...........................................    140,000
Trustee fees and expenses.........................................     10,000
Rating agency fees................................................     20,000
Miscellaneous.....................................................     20,000
                                                                    ---------
        Total.....................................................  $ 300,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, INTER ALIA, 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 (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of another corporation 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. Similar indemnity is authorized for such persons against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with
the defense or settlement of any such threatened, pending or completed action or
suit if such person 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 provided
further that (unless a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise provides) such
person shall not have been adjudged liable to the corporation. Any such
indemnification may be made only as authorized in each specific case upon a
determination by the shareholders or disinterested directors or by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion that indemnification is proper because the
indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct.
 
    Section 145 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 or 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. The Company
maintains policies insuring its and its subsidiaries' officers and directors
against certain liabilities for actions taken in such capacities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
    Article XI of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
eliminates the personal liability of each director of the Company to the Company
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
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
knowing violation of law, (iii) under Title 8, Section 174 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or (iv) for any transaction from which
such director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
    The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company 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 the Company or is or was serving at the request of
the Company as a director, 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 the Company will indemnify a person in connection
with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
    The Bylaws further provide that the Company 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.
 
    The Company has placed in effect insurance which purports (a) to insure it
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 the Company and of specified subsidiaries against certain
liabilities incurred by them in the discharge of their functions as officers and
directors except for liabilities arising from their own malfeasance.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
 **1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities)
 **1.2       Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Stock)
 **1.3       Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Securities)
  *4.1       Form of Senior Debt Indenture ("Senior Indenture") between the Company and State Street Bank and
             Trust Company, as Trustee
  *4.2       Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture ("Subordinated Indenture") between the Company and State Street
             Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee
  *4.3       Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Indenture ("Junior Subordinated Indenture") between the Company and
             Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee
  *4.4.1     Declaration of Trust of Pogo Trust I
  *4.4.2     Declaration of Trust of Pogo Trust II
  *4.5       Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
  *4.6.1     Certificate of Trust of Pogo Trust I
  *4.6.2     Certificate of Trust of Pogo Trust II
  *4.7       Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.3)
 **4.8.1     Form of Supplemental Indenture to Junior Subordinated Indenture
 **4.8.2     Form of Supplemental Indenture to Senior Indenture
 **4.8.3     Form of Supplemental Indenture to Subordinated Indenture
 **4.9       Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.8.1)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
  *4.10      Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee
 **4.11      Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.8.2)
 **4.12      Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.8.3)
***4.13      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Annual
             Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.14      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed as exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report
             on form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.15      Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Preferred Stock of the Company, dated March 25,
             1997 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(1) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
             December 31, 1987 and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.16      Rights Agreement dated as of April 26, 1994 between the Company and Harris Trust Company of New York,
             as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 26, 1994
             and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.17      Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated
             April 26, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.
             33-54969) filed August 9, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference)
  *5.1       Opinion of Gerald A. Morton
  *5.2.1     Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. relating to Pogo Trust I
  *5.2.2     Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. relating to Pogo Trust II
 **8         Opinion of counsel to the Company as to certain tax matters
  *12.1      Statement re Computation of Ratios
   23.1      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
   23.2      Consent of Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers
  *23.3      Consent of Gerald A. Morton (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  *23.4      Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in Exhibits 5.2.1 and 5.2.2)
 **23.5      Consent of the Company's counsel as to certain tax matters (included in Exhibit 8)
  *24.1      Powers of Attorney for the Company
  *25.1      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Senior Trustee
             under the Senior Indenture
  *25.2      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Subordinated
             Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture
  *25.3      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company as Trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture
  *25.4.1    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Property Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust I
  *25.4.2    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Property Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust II.
  *25.5.1    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust I
  *25.5.2    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust II
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
*   Previously filed.
    
 
   
**  To be filed by amendment or by a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Regulation
    S-K, Item 601(b).
    
 
   
*** Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    (a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
 
        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
    a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
           (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
       Securities Act of 1933;
 
           (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
       the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
       post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
       aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
       the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase
       or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
       securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
       deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering
       range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
       Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act if, in the
       aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20%
       change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
       "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration
       Statement;
 
           (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
       distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or
       any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
 
    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
    the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
    those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
    pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
    1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
 
        (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
    Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
    to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
    therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
    be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
        (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
    any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
    termination of the offering.
 
        (4) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
    of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
    of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
    form of prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
    (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of
    this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of
       determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
       of the registrants' annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section
       15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each
       filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section
       15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by
       reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
       registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
       the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
       initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
       Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
       persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
       otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
       Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
       policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
       event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
       than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
       director, officer or controlling person of the 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, the registrants 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 Act
       and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly
caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of
Texas, on April 30, 1999.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                POGO PRODUCING COMPANY
 
                                By:           /s/ PAUL G. VAN WAGENEN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                Paul G. Van Wagenen
                                        CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND
                                              CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
</TABLE>
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME                         TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
<C>                             <S>                         <C>
                                Chairman of the Board,
   /s/ PAUL G. VAN WAGENEN        President and Chief
- ------------------------------    Executive Officer           April 30, 1999
     Paul G. Van Wagenen          (Principal Executive
                                  Officer and Director)
 
                                Vice President and Chief
    /s/ JOHN W. ELSENHANS         Financial Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial        April 30, 1999
      John W. Elsenhans           Officer)
 
                                Vice President and
      /s/ THOMAS E. HART          Controller
- ------------------------------    (Principal Accounting       April 30, 1999
        Thomas E. Hart            Officer)
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
      Jerry M. Armstrong
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
       Tobin Armstrong
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
       Jack S. Blanton
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
      W. M. Brumley, Jr.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME                         TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------  -------------------
 
<C>                             <S>                         <C>
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
     John B. Carter, Jr.
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
      William L. Fisher
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
        Gerrit W. Gong
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
        J. Stuart Hunt
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
  Frederick A. Klingenstein
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Director                      April 30, 1999
       Jack A. Vickers
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>   <C>                        <C>                         <C>
*By:     /s/ THOMAS E. HART
      -------------------------
           Thomas E. Hart
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Pogo Trust I
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on April 30, 1999.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                POGO TRUST I
 
                                By: Pogo Producing Company, as Sponsor
 
                                By:  /s/ GERALD A. MORTON
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Gerald A. Morton
                                     Title:  Vice President--Law and
                                           Corporate Secretary
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Pogo Trust II
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment to the
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on April 30, 1999.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                POGO TRUST II
 
                                By: Pogo Producing Company, as Sponsor
 
                                By:  /s/ GERALD A. MORTON
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Name: Gerald A. Morton
                                     Title:  Vice President--Law and
                                           Corporate Secretary
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
 **1.1       Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities)
 **1.2       Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Stock)
 **1.3       Form of Underwriting Agreement (Preferred Securities)
  *4.1       Form of Senior Debt Indenture ("Senior Indenture") between the Company and State Street Bank and
             Trust Company, as Trustee
  *4.2       Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture ("Subordinated Indenture") between the Company and State Street
             Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee
  *4.3       Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Indenture ("Junior Subordinated Indenture") between the Company and
             Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee
  *4.4.1     Declaration of Trust of Pogo Trust I
  *4.4.2     Declaration of Trust of Pogo Trust II
  *4.5       Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust
  *4.6.1     Certificate of Trust of Pogo Trust I
  *4.6.2     Certificate of Trust of Pogo Trust II
  *4.7       Form of Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.3)
 **4.8.1     Form of Supplemental Indenture to Junior Subordinated Indenture
 **4.8.2     Form of Supplemental Indenture to Senior Indenture
 **4.8.3     Form of Supplemental Indenture to Subordinated Indenture
 **4.9       Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.8.1)
  *4.10      Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee
 **4.11      Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.8.2)
 **4.12      Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.8.3)
***4.13      Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as exhibit 3(a) to the Company's Annual
             Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.14      Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed as exhibit 3(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report
             on form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.15      Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Preferred Stock of the Company, dated March 25,
             1997 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(1) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
             December 31, 1987 and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.16      Rights Agreement dated as of April 26, 1994 between the Company and Harris Trust Company of New York,
             as Rights Agent (filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 26, 1994
             and incorporated herein by reference)
***4.17      Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company dated
             April 26, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 4(d) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No.
             33-54969) filed August 9, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference)
  *5.1       Opinion of Gerald A. Morton
  *5.2.1     Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. relating to Pogo Trust I
  *5.2.2     Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. relating to Pogo Trust II
 **8         Opinion of counsel to the Company as to certain tax matters
  *12.1      Statement re Computation of Ratios
   23.1      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
   23.2      Consent of Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers
  *23.3      Consent of Gerald A. Morton (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  *23.4      Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (included in Exhibits 5.2.1 and 5.2.2)
 **23.5      Consent of the Company's counsel as to certain tax matters (included in Exhibit 8)
  *24.1      Powers of Attorney for the Company
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -----------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
  *25.1      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Senior Trustee
             under the Senior Indenture
  *25.2      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Subordinated
             Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture
  *25.3      Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company as Trustee under the Junior Subordinated Indenture
  *25.4.1    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Property Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust I
  *25.4.2    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Property Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust II.
  *25.5.1    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust I
  *25.5.2    Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust
             Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Pogo Trust II
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
*   Previously filed.
    
 
   
**  To be filed by amendment or by a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Regulation
    S-K, Item 601(b).
    
 
   
*** Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
    

<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 23.1

           
                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by 
reference into this amendment no. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-3 
of our report dated February 19, 1999 included in Pogo Producing Company's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and to all 
references to our Firm included in this amendment no. 1 to the registration 
statement.

                                                      /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Houston Texas
April 30, 1999


<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 23.2


                       [LETTERHEAD OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY]

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

      As independent petroleum engineers, we hereby consent to the 
incorporation by reference into this Amendment to the Registration Statement 
on Form S-3 our report and estimates, as of January 1, 1999, of Pogo 
Producing Company's reserves and the present value of future net reserves 
included in Pogo Producing Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 1998 and to all references to our Firm in this Amendment 
to the Registration Statement.

                                             /s/ Ryder Scott Company
                                                 Petroleum Engineers

                                             RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                                             PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

Houston Texas
April 30, 1999



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