KERR MCGEE CORP
S-3, 1999-04-23
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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<PAGE>   1
              As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                               on April 23, 1999
                                                     Registration No. 33-______

===============================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 Delaware                          73-0311467
   (State or other jurisdiction of      (IRS Employer Identification No.)
   incorporation or organization)

                               KERR-MCGEE CENTER
                         OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73125
                                 (405) 270-1313
               (Address, including zip code and telephone number,
                      including area code of registrant's
                          principal executive offices)

                                 --------------

                             RUSSELL G. HORNER, JR.
              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                             KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION
                               KERR-MCGEE CENTER
                         OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73125
                                 (405) 270-2731
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                 --------------

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
    FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

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 to be 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, 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, 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.[ ]
                                   -------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
====================================================================================================================================
         Titles Of Each Class Of             Amount To Be             Proposed              Proposed Maximum
       Securities To Be Registered            Registered          Maximum Offering         Aggregate Offering         Amount Of
                                                                   Price Per Unit           Offering Price(1)    Registration Fee(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                   <C>                      <C>                   <C>     
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common     $975,000,000              100%                   $975,000,000            $271,050
Stock and Warrants
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

1.  Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
    registration fee.
2.  Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the Prospectus
    herein also relates to $25,000,000 of Debt Securities of Kerr-McGee
    Corporation registered under Registration Statement No. 33-5473. A filing
    fee of $5,000 in respect of such securities was paid on May 7, 1986, upon
    the filing of such Registration Statement. 

                                 --------------

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A
FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

===============================================================================

                       STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 429(b)

THE PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT IS A COMBINED
PROSPECTUS WHICH ALSO COVERS $25,000,000 OF UNISSUED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF DEBT
SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-5473 WITH RESPECT TO
WHICH A FILING FEE OF $5,000 WAS PAID.
<PAGE>   2
PROSPECTUS

<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>                                          <C>
[LOGO]                          $1,000,000,000                        PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
                            KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION                    DATED APRIL ____, 1999
                        DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK,
                            COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS
</TABLE>

                                ---------------

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

         By this prospectus, we may offer up to $1,000,000,000 of debt
securities, preferred stock, common stock and warrants on terms to be
determined at the time of sale. We will provide more specific information
regarding these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus, particularly the Risk Factors beginning on page 4, and any
supplement carefully before investing.

                                ---------------

         THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR BY ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAVE THOSE ORGANIZATIONS
DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS APRIL ____, 1999



                                       1
<PAGE>   3

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                              <C>
About This Prospectus..............................................................................................................3

Where You Can Find Information.....................................................................................................3

Risk Factors.......................................................................................................................4

The Company........................................................................................................................5

Use Of Proceeds....................................................................................................................5

Ratio Of Earnings To Fixed Charges And Ratio Of Earnings To Combined
Fixed Charges And Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements............................................................................6

Description Of Debt Securities.....................................................................................................6

Description Of Preferred Stock....................................................................................................12

Description Of Common Stock.......................................................................................................14

Description Of Warrants...........................................................................................................15

Plan of Distribution..............................................................................................................16

Legal Matters.....................................................................................................................16

Experts...........................................................................................................................16
</TABLE>




                                       2
<PAGE>   4

                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

         This prospectus (the "Prospectus" ) is part of a Registration
Statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")
utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell
the unsecured Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Warrants (the
"Offered Securities") described in this Prospectus in one or more offerings up
to a total dollar amount of $1,000,000,000. This Prospectus provides you with a
general description of the Offered Securities we may offer. Each time we sell
Offered Securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement) that will contain specific information about the terms of that
offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this Prospectus. You should read both this Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement together with additional information described below
under "Where You Can Find Information".

                         WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION

         We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials on file
with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. Our filings are available to the
public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference
Room.

         The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we
file with them, 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 file later
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all of the securities.

         (a) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
             1998.

         (b) Our Form 8-K filed January 19, 1999.

         (c) Our Form 8-K/A filed January 26, 1999.

         (d) Our Form 8-K filed February 26, 1999.

         (e) Our Form 8-K filed March 11, 1999.

         (f) Our Form S-4 filed January 27, 1999.

         You can get a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by
reference by making an oral or written request directed to:

         Investor Relations
         Kerr-McGee Corporation
         P. O. Box 25861
         Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125
         Telephone (405) 270-3125

                  You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated in this Prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized
anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not rely on
any other representations. Our affairs may change after this Prospectus or any
supplement is distributed. You should not assume that the information in this
Prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on
the front of those documents. You should read all information supplementing
this Prospectus.



                                       3
<PAGE>   5
                                  RISK FACTORS

         You should carefully consider the information contained in this
Prospectus and the following factors, among others, before purchasing the
Offered Securities.

MERGER-RELATED RISKS

         The merger between Oryx Energy Company ("Oryx") and us described below
under the "Recent Developments" section involves the integration of two
companies that have previously operated independently. The workforce is being
combined and reduced, offices are being consolidated and some employees are
relocating as part of this process. We expect that the combined company will,
as a result of its increased size and requirements, be able to consolidate its
purchasing and obtain more favorable prices from suppliers. However, its
ability to do so may be limited by changes in the purchasing power or practices
of its competitors and other market dynamics.

           There is no assurance that the two companies will be able to
integrate their operations without encountering difficulties or experiencing
the loss of key employees, or that the cost savings and synergies expected from
such integration will be realized.

EFFECTS OF VOLATILE PRODUCT PRICES AND MARKETS

         The results of operations of the company resulting from the
combination of Kerr-McGee and Oryx are highly dependent upon the prices of and
demand for oil and gas. Historically, the markets for oil and gas have been
volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Accordingly,
the prices received by the combined company for its oil and gas production are
dependent upon numerous factors which will be beyond its control. These factors
include, but are not limited to, the level of ultimate consumer product demand,
governmental regulations and taxes, the price and availability of alternative
fuels, the level of imports and exports of oil and gas, and the overall
economic environment. Any significant decline in prices for oil and gas could
have a material adverse effect on the combined company's financial condition,
results of operations and quantities of reserves recoverable on an economic
basis. Should the industry experience significant price declines or other
adverse market conditions, the combined company may not be able to generate
sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its obligations and make planned
capital expenditures. In order to manage its exposure to price risks in the
sale of its oil and gas, the combined company may from time to time enter into
commodities futures or option contracts to hedge a portion of its crude oil and
natural gas sales volume, although we do not currently do so. Any such hedging
activities may prevent the combined company from realizing the benefits of
price increases above the levels reflected in such hedges.

FAILURE TO FUND CONTINUED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT PROPERTIES

         If revenues of the combined company substantially decrease as a result
of lower oil and gas prices or otherwise, the combined company may have limited
ability to spend the capital necessary to replace its reserves or to maintain
production at current levels, resulting in a decrease in production over time.

         We expect that the combined company will continue to make capital
expenditures for the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas
reserves. Historically, each company financed these expenditures primarily with
cash flow from operations and proceeds from debt and equity financings, asset
sales and sales of partial interests in foreign concessions. We believe that,
after considering the amount of the combined company's debt, the combined
company will have sufficient cash flow from operations, available drawings
under its credit facilities and other debt financings to fund capital
expenditures. However, if the combined company's cash flow from operations is
not 


                                       4
<PAGE>   6

sufficient to satisfy its capital expenditure requirements, there can be no
assurance that additional debt or equity financing or other sources of capital
will be available to meet these requirements. If the combined company is not
able to fund its capital expenditures, its interests in some of its properties
may be reduced or forfeited.

COSTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES AND REGULATION COULD EXCEED ESTIMATES

         The combined company's current and former operations involve
management of regulated materials and are subject to various environmental laws
and regulations. These laws and regulations will obligate the combined company
to clean up various sites at which petroleum, chemicals, low-level radioactive
substances or other regulated materials have been disposed of or released. Some
of these sites have been designated Superfund sites by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980. The combined company is also a party to
legal proceedings involving environmental matters pending in various courts or
agencies.

         It is not possible for the companies to reliably estimate the amount
and timing of all future expenditures related to environmental matters because
of:
     o    the difficulty of estimating clean up costs;
     o    the uncertainty in quantifying liability under environmental laws
          that impose joint and several liability on all potentially
          responsible parties; and
     o    the continually changing nature of environmental laws and regulations.

  Although we believe that the combined company has established appropriate
reserves for clean up costs, due to the above-noted uncertainties, the combined
company could be required to record additional reserves in the future.

                                  THE COMPANY

         Kerr-McGee is an energy and chemical company with worldwide
operations. It explores for, develops, produces and markets crude oil and
natural gas and its chemical operations primarily produce and market titanium
dioxide pigment. 

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

         We have entered into a strategic combination with Oryx which creates
the fourth largest independent, nonintegrated oil and gas exploration and
production company based in the United States. The merger was completed on
February 26, 1999, upon the approval of the Shareholders of both companies. The
combined company retained the name Kerr-McGee Corporation, with executive
headquarters located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and exploration and production
headquarters located in Houston, Texas.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

         We will use the proceeds we receive from selling these Offered
Securities to pay off outstanding debt or for other general corporate purposes.
General corporate purposes may include capital expenditures, acquisitions, or
any other purposes that may be stated in the supplements. The proceeds may be
invested temporarily until they are used for their stated purpose.



                                       5
<PAGE>   7

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED
CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS

         The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods
indicated is as follows(1):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SUPPLEMENTAL
                                                           RATIO FOR
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31                                    1998 (2) & (3)       
- -----------------------                                    --------------

1994      1995 (2)       1996     1997   1998 (2)
- ----      --------       ----     ----   --------

<S>       <C>            <C>      <C>    <C> 
1.6                       4.7      4.8            
          --------                       --------
</TABLE>

(1) As of March 31, 1999, we had no outstanding preferred stock. Therefore,
unless otherwise stated in the Prospectus Supplement, the ratio of earnings to
fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred
stock dividend requirements will be the same.

(2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $121 million in 1995,
$387 million in 1998 and $549 million for the 1998 Supplemental Ratio.

(3) The Supplemental 1998 ratio of earning to fixed charges is provided to
show the effect of the consummation of the merger between Kerr-McGee and Oryx.

         For purposes of computing the ratios, the earnings calculation is:
income from continuing operations + income taxes + fixed charges - capitalized
interest. Fixed charges calculation is: all interest + interest factor of
rental expense. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was less than 1.0 for
the years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1998.

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

         The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities
summarizes certain general terms that will apply to the Debt Securities. The
description is not complete, and we refer you to the Indenture, a copy of which
is an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
For your reference, in several cases below we have noted the section in the
Indenture that the paragraph summarizes. Capitalized items have the meanings
assigned to them in the Indenture. The referenced sections of the Indenture and
the definitions of capitalized terms are incorporated by reference in the
following summary.

         The Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture dated as of
August 1, 1982 and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated
October 21, 1997 (the "Indenture") between Kerr-McGee and Citibank, N.A.
("Citibank"). The Indenture is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement filed with the SEC. This summary of the Indenture is
qualified by reference to the Indenture. You should refer to the Indenture in
addition to reading this summary. The summary is not complete and is subject to
the specific terms of the Indenture.

GENERAL

         Under the Indenture, we can issue an unlimited amount of Debt
Securities. The following amounts of Debt Securities are currently outstanding
under the Indenture:

          $150,000,000     -   6.625% Notes due
                               October 15, 2027
           150,000,000     -   7.125%  Debentures due
                               October 15, 2027

         Each time that we issue a new series of Debt Securities, the
supplement relating to that new series will specify the terms of those Debt
Securities, including:
     
          o    Designation, amount and denominations.
          o    Percentage of principal amount at which Debt Securities will be 
               issued.
          o    Maturity date.
          o    Annual interest rate and payment dates.
          o    Terms and conditions of exchanging or converting Debt
               Securities for other securities. 
          o    Redemption terms. 
          o    Whether the Debt Securities will be senior, senior subordinated 
               or subordinated.



                                       6
<PAGE>   8

         Payments relating to the Debt Securities generally will be paid at
Citibank's corporate trust office. However, we may elect to pay interest by
mailing checks directly to the registered holders of the Debt Securities. You
can transfer your Debt Securities at Citibank's corporate trust office.

RANKING

         Unless otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement for any
series, the Debt Securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with
all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

         We will issue the Debt Securities in registered form without coupons.
You can transfer or exchange your Debt Securities without a service charge, but
we may require advance payment of any tax or other governmental transfer or
exchange charge.

DEFINITIONS

         The covenants in the Indenture, which we summarize below, use the
following terms:

         o        SUBSIDIARY: A corporation of which we own a majority of the
                  voting stock either directly or indirectly. (Section 101)

         o        RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY: Any subsidiary which we designate as a
                  Restricted Subsidiary or which owns or leases any Principal
                  Property (see the next definition). The term does not include
                  a subsidiary if its principal business is leasing assets,
                  financing the sale of products or holding the securities of
                  other subsidiaries. (Section 101)

         o        PRINCIPAL PROPERTY: Any Company-owned U.S. mineral property
                  capable of producing in paying quantities and any
                  manufacturing plant owned by us in the U.S. (including the
                  land and fixtures), unless our Board of Directors feels that
                  the property or plant is not material to our total business.
                  The term does not include any facility acquired to control or
                  abate air, water, noise, odor, or other pollution, or
                  facilities financed through industrial revenue bonds or
                  similar financing. (Section 101)

         o        CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS: The total amount of assets
                  on our consolidated balance sheet and the balance sheets of
                  our Restricted Subsidiaries, less any reserves and after
                  deducting: (1) current liabilities and (2) goodwill, trade
                  names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and
                  expense and other intangibles. (Section 101)

         o        FUNDED DEBT: Money borrowed or debt evidenced by bonds or
                  debentures, or agreements having a maturity of more than one
                  year (or less than one year but which is renewable after that
                  year at the borrower's option). (Section 101)

         o        DEBT: Notes, bonds, debentures or other similar documents
                  indicating indebtedness. (Section 1008)

         o        MORTGAGE: A pledge, mortgage or other lien securing a debt.
                  (Section 1008)

CERTAIN COVENANTS

         The Indenture includes the following covenants. These covenants use
certain terms that are defined above. The covenants for a series of Debt
Securities may differ from those described below. If they do, this will be
described in the supplement to this prospectus relating to that series.



                                       7
<PAGE>   9

RESTRICTIONS ON SECURED DEBT

         After the date of the Indenture, if we incur or guarantee a debt
secured by either a mortgage on any of our Principal Property or on a
Restricted Subsidiary's stock or debt, we will secure the Debt Securities on
the same basis, unless the amount of the new debt plus the value of all sale
and leaseback transactions involving Principal Properties would not exceed 5%
of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. The restrictions do not apply to debt
secured by the following:

         o        Mortgages on our property or the property of a Restricted
                  Subsidiary, which existed on the date of the Indenture.

         o        Mortgages on the property, stock or debt of a corporation
                  that existed when the corporation became a Restricted
                  Subsidiary.

         o        Mortgages on the property of a Restricted Subsidiary, which
                  only secures indebtedness owed by the Subsidiary to another
                  Restricted Subsidiary or us.

         o        Mortgages in favor of governmental bodies to secure progress,
                  advance or other payments.

         o        Mortgages on acquired property, stock or debt which existed
                  at the time of the acquisition (including acquisition through
                  merger or consolidation) and certain purchase money and
                  construction mortgages.

         o        Mortgages on our property or the property of a Restricted
                  Subsidiary to secure payment of the costs of operations
                  increase the production and disposition of minerals from the
                  property or indebtedness incurred to provide funds for such
                  purposes.

         o        Any extension, renewal or refunding of the foregoing.

         The listed debt will be excluded when computing our secured debt.

         The restrictions will not apply to sale and leaseback transactions if
the proceeds are applied to the retirement of Funded Debt. Secured debt will
not be deemed to be created by the transfer of an interest in property in the
form commonly referred to as a "production payment". (Sections 1008 and 1009)

RESTRICTIONS ON SALES AND LEASEBACKS

         We may not enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving any
Principal Property after the date of the Indenture unless:

         o        The sale or transfer occurs within 120 days after
                  construction is complete and the Principal Property is fully
                  operational.

         o        We could mortgage the property under Section 1008 of the
                  Indenture for an amount equal to the proceeds of the sale and
                  leaseback transaction without securing the Debt Securities on
                  the same basis.

         o        We use an amount equal to the market value of the Principal
                  Property being leased to retire Funded Debt within 120 days.
                  This restriction will not apply to any sale and leaseback
                  transaction between us (or a Restricted Subsidiary) and a
                  Restricted Subsidiary, or involving the taking back of a
                  lease for a period of less than three years. (Section 1009)



                                       8
<PAGE>   10

MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

         The Indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between
Kerr-McGee and another corporation. It also permits the sale by Kerr-McGee of
all or substantially all of our property and assets. If this happens, the
resulting or acquiring corporation will assume all of our responsibilities and
liabilities under the Indentures. If the resulting or acquiring corporation has
outstanding Debt secured by a Mortgage on any Principal Property, or shares of
stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, the Debt Securities will be equally and
ratably secured with (or prior to) the Debt secured by such Mortgage. This
restriction will not apply if the Mortgage could be created pursuant to Section
1008 of the Indenture (see "Restrictions on Secured Debt" above) without
equally and ratable securing the Debt Securities. (Section 803)

MODIFICATION

         Generally, our rights and obligations and the holders' rights may be
modified if the holders of 66-2/3% of the outstanding Debt Securities consent.
However, no modification or amendment may occur without the consent of the
affected holder of the Debt Security if that modification or amendment would do
any of the following:

         o        Change the stated maturity date of the principal of, or any
                  installment of interest on, any of the holder's Debt
                  Security.

         o        Reduce the principal amount of, or the interest (or premium,
                  if any) on, the Debt Security (including in the case of a
                  discounted Debt Security, the amount payable upon
                  acceleration of maturity or provable in bankruptcy).

         o        Change the currency of payment of the Debt Security.

         o        Impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
                  payment on the Debt Security or adversely affect the right of
                  repayment, if any, at the option of the holder.

         o        Reduce the percentage of holders of Debt Securities necessary
                  to modify or amend the Indenture.

         A modification which changes a covenant or provision expressly
included solely for the benefit of holders of one or more particular series
will not affect the rights of holders of Debt Securities of any other series.
(Section 902)

         Kerr-McGee or Citibank may make modifications without the consent of
the Debt Securities holders in order to do the following:

         o        Evidence that another corporation has succeeded to Kerr-McGee
                  and assumed our obligations.

         o        Convey security for the Debt Securities to Citibank.

         o        Add covenants, restrictions or conditions for the protection
                  of the Debt Security holders.




                                       9
<PAGE>   11

         o        Provide for the issuance of Debt Securities in coupon form.

         o        Establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series.

         o        Cure any ambiguity or correct any defect in the Indenture
                  which does not adversely affect the interests of a holder.

         o        Evidence the appointment of a successor trustee or more than
                  one trustee. (Section 901)

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         In the Indenture, an Event of Default means any one of the following:

         o        Failure to pay interest on a Debt Security for 30 days;

         o        Failure to pay principal and premium, if any, when due;

         o        Failure to pay sinking fund installment when due;

         o        Failure to perform any other covenant in the Indenture that
                  continues for 60 days after receipt of notice; or

         o        Certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

         An Event of Default relating to one series of Debt Securities does not
necessarily constitute an Event of Default with respect to any other series
issued under the Indenture. If an Event of Default exists with respect to a
series of Debt Securities, Citibank or the holders of at least 25% of the
outstanding Debt Securities of that series (or of all the outstanding Debt
Securities in the case of defaults due to failure to perform a covenant in the
Indenture or certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization) may
declare the principal of that series (or of all outstanding Debt Securities, as
the case may be) due and payable.

         Any Event of Default with respect to a particular series of Debt
Securities may be waived by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Debt
Securities of that series (or of all the outstanding Debt Securities as the
case may be), except for a failure to pay principal, premium or interest on the
Debt Security. (Sections 501, 502 and 508)

         Citibank may withhold notice to the holders of the Debt Securities of
any default (except in payment of principal, premium, interest or sinking fund
payment) if Citibank thinks it is in the interest of the holders.
(Section 602)

         Subject to the specific duties that arise under the Indenture if an
Event of Default exists, Citibank is not obligated to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of the holders of the Debt
Securities, unless they provide reasonable indemnity. (Sections 601 and 603).
Generally, the holders of a majority of the outstanding Debt Securities can
direct the proceeding for a remedy available to Citibank or for exercising any
power conferred on Citibank as the trustee. (Section 508)

TRUSTEE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISSUER

         Citibank has loaned us substantial amounts of money in the past and
may continue to do so. Citibank serves as a depository for us and performs
other services for us in the normal course of business. The Indenture provides
that we will indemnify Citibank against any loss, liability or expense incurred
that arises from the trust created by the Indenture unless the loss, liability
or expense results from Citibank's negligence or bad faith. (Section 607)



                                      10
<PAGE>   12

GLOBAL SECURITIES

         We may issue some of the Debt Securities as Global Securities that
will be deposited with a depository identified in the Prospectus Supplement.
Global Securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and may be
either temporary or permanent. The Prospectus Supplement contains additional
information about depository arrangements.

         Registered Global Securities will be registered in the depositary's
name or in the name of its nominee. When we issue a Global Security, the
depositary will credit that amount of Debt Securities to the investors that
have accounts with the depository or its nominee. The underwriters or the Debt
Security holders' agent will designate the accounts to be credited, unless the
Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by Kerr-McGee, in which case, we
will designate the appropriate account to be credited.

         Investors who have accounts with a depository, and people who have an
interest in those institutions, are the beneficial owners of Global Securities
held by that particular depository.

         Kerr-McGee will not maintain records regarding ownership or the
transfer of Global Securities held by a depository or to nominee. If you are
the beneficial owner of Global Securities held by a depository, you must get
information directly from the depository.

         As long as a depositary is the registered owner of a Global Security,
that depository will be considered the sole owner of the Debt Securities
represented by that Global Security. Except as set forth below, beneficial
owners of Global Securities held by a depository will not be entitled to:

         o        Register the represented Debt Securities in their names;

         o        Receive physical delivery of the Debt Securities; or

         o        Be considered the owners or holders of the Global Security
                  under the Indenture.

Payments on Debt Securities registered in the name of a depositary or its
nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee. (Section 203)

         When a depositary receives a payment, it must immediately credit the
accounts in amounts proportionate to the account holders' interests in the
Global Security. The beneficial owners of a Global Security should, and are
expected to, establish standing instructions and customary practices with their
investor that has an account with the depository, so that payments can be made
with regard to securities beneficially held for them, much like securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name."

         A Global Security can only be transferred in whole by the depository
to a nominee of such depository, or to another nominee of a depository. If a
depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as a depository and we do not
appoint a successor depository within ninety (90) days, we will issue Debt
Securities in exchange for all of the Global Securities held by that
depository. In addition, we may eliminate all Global Securities at any time and
issue Debt Securities in exchange for them. Further, we may allow a depository
to surrender a Global Security in exchange for Debt Securities on any terms
that are acceptable to us and the depositary. (Section 307)

         If any of these events occur, we will execute and Citibank will
authenticate and deliver to the beneficial owners of the Global Security in
question a new registered security in an amount equal to and in exchange for
that person's beneficial interest in the exchanged Global Security. The
depository will receive a new Global Security in an amount equal to the
difference, if any, between the amount of the surrendered Global Security and
the amount of Debt Securities delivered to the beneficial owners. Debt
Securities issued in exchange for Global Securities will be registered in the
same names and in the same denominations as indicated by the depository's
records and in accordance with the instructions from its direct and indirect
participants.
(Section 307)



                                      11
<PAGE>   13

         The laws of certain jurisdictions require some people who purchase
securities to actually take physical possession of those securities. The
limitations imposed by these laws may impair your ability to transfer your
beneficial interests in a Global Security.

                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

GENERAL

         Our Certificate of Incorporation (the "Charter") authorizes our Board
of Directors or a committee of our Board of Directors (the "Board of
Directors") to cause preferred stock to be issued in one or more series,
without stockholder action. The Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to
40,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1 par value per share (Preferred Stock),
and can determine the number of shares of each series, and the rights,
preference and limitations of each series. We may amend the Charter to increase
the number of authorized shares of preferred stock in a manner permitted by the
Charter and the Delaware General Corporation Law.

         The particular terms of any series of preferred stock being offered by
us under this shelf registration (the "Preferred Stock") will be described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to that series of Preferred Stock. Those
terms may include:

         o        The number of shares of the series of Preferred Stock being
                  offered;

         o        The title and liquidation preference per share of that series
                  of the Preferred Stock;

         o        The purchase price of the Preferred Stock;

         o        The dividend rate (or method for determining such rates);

         o        The dates on which dividends will be paid;

         o        Whether dividends on that series of Preferred Stock will be
                  cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates
                  from which dividends shall commence to accumulate;

         o        Any redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that
                  series of Preferred Stock;

         o        Any conversion provisions applicable to that series of
                  preferred stock;

         o        Whether the Company has elected to offer Depositary Shares
                  with respect to that series of preferred stock; and

         o        Any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking
                  fund and other rights and restrictions applicable to that
                  series of Preferred Stock.

         If the terms of any series of Preferred Stock being offered differ
from the terms set forth herein, those terms will also be disclosed in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to that series of Preferred Stock. The following
summary is not complete. You should refer to the Certificate of Designations
relating to the series of the Preferred Stock for the complete terms of that
Preferred Stock. That Certificate of Designations will be filed with the SEC
promptly after the offering of the Preferred Stock.



                                      12
<PAGE>   14

         The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassesable.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, in the event we
liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, each series of Preferred Stock
will have the same rank as to dividends and distributions as each other series
of the Preferred Stock we may issue in the future. The Preferred Stock will
have no preemptive rights.

DIVIDEND RIGHTS

         Holders of Preferred Stock of each series will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, cash dividends at the rates
and on the dates set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Dividend rates may be
fixed or variable or both. Different series of Preferred Stock may be entitled
to dividends at different dividend rates or based upon different methods of
determination. Each dividend will be payable to the holders of record as they
appear on the stock books of the Company on record dates determined by the
Board of Directors. Dividends on any series of the Preferred Stock may be
cumulative or noncumulative, as specified in the Prospectus Supplement. If the
Board of Directors fails to declare a dividend on any series of Preferred Stock
for which dividends are noncumulative, then the right to receive that dividend
will be lost, and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend for that
dividend period, whether or not dividends are declared for any future dividend
period.

         No full dividends will be declared or paid on any series of Preferred
Stock, unless full dividends for the dividend period commencing after the
immediately preceding dividend payment date (and cumulative dividends still
owing, if any) have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid on all
other series of Preferred Stock which have the same rank as, or rank senior to,
that Preferred Stock. When those dividends are not paid in full, dividends will
be declared pro rata, so that the amount of dividends declared per share on
that series of Preferred Stock and on each other series of preferred stock
having the same rank as, or ranking senior to, that series of Preferred Stock
will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per
share on that series of Preferred Stock and the other preferred stock bear to
each other. In addition, generally, unless full dividends, including cumulative
dividends still owing, if any, on all outstanding shares of any series of
Preferred Stock have been paid, no dividends will be declared or paid on the
Common Stock and generally we may not redeem or purchase any Common Stock. No
interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, will be paid in connection with
any dividend payment or payments which may be in arrears.

         Unless otherwise described in the Prospectus Supplement, the amount of
dividends payable for each dividend period will be computed by annualizing the
applicable dividend rate and dividing by the number of dividend periods in a
year, except that the amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend
period or any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and, for any
period less than a full month, the actual number of days elapsed in the period.

RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION

         In the event we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our affairs, either
voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock
will be entitled to receive liquidating distributions in the amount set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to each series of Preferred Stock, plus
an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, before any
distribution of assets is made to the holders of Common Stock. If the amounts
payable with respect to Preferred Stock of any series and any stock having the
same rank as that series of Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the 



                                      13
<PAGE>   15

holders of Preferred Stock and of such other stock will share ratably in any
such distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential
amounts to which they are entitled. After the holders of each series of
Preferred Stock and any stock having the same rank as the Preferred Stock are
paid in full, they will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets.
Neither the sale of all or substantially all our property or business nor a
merger or consolidation by us with any other corporation will be considered a
dissolution, liquidation or winding up by us of our business or affairs.

REDEMPTION

         Any series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part,
at our option. In addition, any series of Preferred Stock may be subject to
mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund. The redemption provisions that
may apply to a series of Preferred Stock, including the redemption dates and
the redemption prices for that series, will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement.

         If a series of Preferred Stock is subject to mandatory redemption, the
Prospectus Supplement will specify the year we can begin to redeem shares of
the Preferred Stock, the number of shares of the Preferred Stock we can redeem
each year, and the redemption price per share. We may pay the redemption price
in cash, stock or in cash that we have received specifically from the sale of
our capital stock, as specified in the Prospectus Supplement. If the redemption
price is to be paid only from the proceeds of the sale of our capital stock,
the terms of the series of Preferred Stock may also provide that, if no such
capital stock is sold or if the amount of cash received is insufficient to pay
in full the redemption price then due, the series of Preferred Stock will
automatically be converted into shares of the applicable capital stock pursuant
to conversion provisions specified in the Prospectus Supplement.

         If fewer than all the outstanding shares of any series of Preferred
Stock are to be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, the
Board of Directors will determine the method for selecting the shares to be
redeemed, which may be by lot or pro rata or by any other method determined to
be equitable. From and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to
accrue on the shares of Preferred Stock called for redemption and all rights of
the holders of those shares (except the right to receive the redemption price)
will cease.

         In the event that full dividends, including accrued but unpaid
dividends, if any, have not been paid on any series of Preferred Stock, we may
not redeem that series in part and we may not purchase or acquire any shares of
that series of Preferred Stock, except by any offer made on the same terms to
all holders of that series of Preferred Stock.

VOTING RIGHTS

         Except as indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, or except as
expressly required by applicable law, the holders of Preferred Stock will not
be entitled to vote.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

         As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to
300,000,000 shares of Common Stock. As of March 15, 1999, we had 83,614,002
shares of Common Stock issued.

         The following summary is not complete. You should refer to the
applicable provisions of the Charter, including the Certificates of
Designations pursuant to which any outstanding series of Preferred Stock may be
issued, and the Delaware General Corporation Law for a complete statement of
the terms and rights of the Common Stock.



                                      14
<PAGE>   16

         DIVIDENDS. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally
available for their payment (subject to the rights of holders of the preferred
stock, if any).

         VOTING RIGHTS. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per
share. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holder of any series of preferred
stock pursuant to applicable law or the provision of the Certificate of
Designations creating that series, all voting rights are vested in the holders
of shares of Common Stock.

         RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION. In the event of our voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of Common Stock will be
entitled to share equally in any of our assets available for distribution after
the payment in full of all debts and distributions and after the holders of all
series of outstanding preferred stock, if any, have received their liquidation
preferences in full.

         RIGHTS AGREEMENT. We have adopted a Rights Agreement, which provides
for the issuance of a right (a "Kerr-McGee Right") to the holder of each of our
shares of Common Stock. If anyone acquires 15% or more of our outstanding
Common Stock (an "Acquiring Person"), each holder of the Kerr-McGee Right
(other than the Acquiring Person) will be entitled to purchase additional
shares of Common Stock (or, in certain cases, other of our securities, or cash
or other property) having a current market value of two times the exercise
price of $215. Otherwise, prior to an Acquiring Person acquiring 50% or more of
the outstanding Common Stock, we may elect to issue a share of Common Stock in
exchange for each Kerr-McGee Right (other than Kerr-McGee Rights held by the
Acquiring Person). In addition, if we are acquired in a merger or other
business combination or 50% or more of our assets or earning power are sold,
each holder of a Kerr-McGee Right will be entitled to buy, at the exercise
price, common stock of the acquirer having a current market value of two times
the exercise price. At any time before there is an Acquiring Person, we can
redeem the Kerr-McGee Rights in whole, but not in part, for $0.01 per each
Kerr-McGee Right, or may amend the Rights Agreement in any way without the
consent of the holders of the Kerr-McGee Rights. We amended the Rights
Agreement so it was not triggered by the merger between us and Oryx.

         MISCELLANEOUS. The issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock are
fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of shares of Common Stock are not
entitled to preemptive rights. Shares of Common Stock are not convertible into
shares of any other class of capital stock.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

         We may issue warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities, Preferred
Stock or Common Stock ("Warrants"). We may issue warrants independently or
together with other securities. Each series of Warrants will be issued under a
separate warrant agreement (a "Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between
us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. You should refer to the
Warrant Agreement relating to the specific Warrants being offered for the
complete terms of the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants.

         Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the principal amount
of Debt Securities, or the number of shares of Preferred Stock, or Common Stock
at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the
Prospectus Supplement. The exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events, as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. After
the close of business on the expiration date of the Warrant, unexercised
Warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which,
Warrants may be exercised shall be specified in the Prospectus Supplement.



                                      15
<PAGE>   17

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         We may sell the Offered Securities through underwriters, dealers or
agents, or we may sell directly to one or more purchasers. The Prospectus
Supplement names any underwriters, states the purchase price and the proceeds
received by us, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting
underwriters' compensation, the initial public offering price, any discounts or
concessions to dealers, and any securities exchanges on which the Offered
Securities may be listed.

         If underwriters are used in the sale, the Offered Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell
the Offered Securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined
at the time of sale. The Offered Securities may be offered through an
underwriting syndicate represented by many underwriters. The obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the Offered Securities will be subject to certain
conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Offered
Securities if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed
from time to time.

         These Offered Securities may be sold directly by us or through agents.
Any agent will be named, and any commissions payable to that agent will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis.

         We may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by
specified institutions to purchase Offered Securities pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in
the future. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth
in the prospectus Supplement. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable for soliciting such contracts.

         We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers or agents against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, and may also agree to contribute to payments which the underwriters,
dealers or agents may be required to make.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

         Russell G. Horner, Jr., our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary, or another of our lawyers, will issue an opinion about the
legality of the securities for us. Any underwriters will be advised about
issues relating to this offering by their own legal counsel.

                                    EXPERTS

         Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, audited our
financial statements and schedules incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
and at other places in the registration statement as indicated in their
reports. We incorporated those documents by reference in reliance upon the
authority of Arthur Andersen LLP as experts in giving the reports.



                                       16
<PAGE>   18
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

         The estimated expenses payable by the Company in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement (other than underwriting
discounts and commissions) are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                  <C>    
         SEC Registration Fee...............................................................         271,050
         Printing and Engraving Expenses....................................................          30,000
         Accounting Fees and Expenses.......................................................          40,000
         Legal Fees and Expenses............................................................          30,000
         Blue Sky Qualification Fees and Expenses...........................................          15,000
         Trustee's Fees.....................................................................           5,000
         Fees of Rating Agencies............................................................         235,000
         Miscellaneous......................................................................          20,000
                                                                                                   ---------
                  TOTAL.....................................................................       $ 646,050
                                                                                                   =========
</TABLE>

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Article XXII of the ByLaws of the Company, as amended, provides for
indemnification of officers, directors and employees of the Company to the
extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Pursuant to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company
generally has the power to indemnify its present and former directors,
officers, employees and agents against expenses incurred by them in connection
with any suit to which they are, or are threatened to be made, a party by
reason of their serving in such positions so long as they acted in good faith
and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of a corporation, and with respect to any criminal action, they had
no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. With respect to
suits by or in the right of a corporation, however, indemnification is not
available if such person is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct
in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless the court determines
that indemnification is appropriate. In addition, a corporation has the power
to purchase and maintain insurance for such persons. The statute also expressly
provides that the power to indemnify authorized thereby is not exclusive of any
rights granted under any bylaw, agreement vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors, or otherwise.

         The above discussion of the Company's ByLaws and of Section 145 of the
Delaware General Corporation law is not intended to be exhaustive and is
respectively qualified in its entirety by such ByLaws and statute.

         Any underwriting agreement or agency agreement with respect to an
offering of securities registered hereunder will provide for indemnification of
Kerr-McGee Corporation and its officers and directors by the underwriters or
agents, as the case may be, against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933.




                                     II-1
<PAGE>   19


ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.
      -----------
<S>      <C>      <C>                        
         4.1      --  Indenture dated as of August 1, 1982 between the Company
                      and Citibank, N.A., Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
                      Registration Number 2-78952, is herein incorporated by
                      reference.

         4.2      --  Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 21, 1997.

         5*       --  Opinion of Russell G. Horner, Jr.

         12       --  Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the
                      years 1994 through 1998, filed as Exhibit 12 to the Company's
                      Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                      1998 (File No. 1-3939), is herein incorporated by reference.

         23.1     --  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

         23.2*    --  Consent of Russell G. Horner, Jr. (Included in Exhibit 5)

         24       --  Powers of Attorney.

         25*      --  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under
                      the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Citibank, N.A.
</TABLE>

- --------------

*To Be Filed By Amendment


ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned registrant does 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 


                                     II-2
<PAGE>   20

                                    aggregate, represent a fundamental change
                                    in the information set forth in the
                                    registration statement. Not withstanding
                                    the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
                                    volume of securities offered (if the total
                                    dollar value of securities offered would
                                    not exceed that which has been 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) 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 (i) and (ii)
                           above 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 that remain unsold at the termination of
                           the offering.

         The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K 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.


                                     II-3
<PAGE>   21

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Company pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above,
or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the
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 Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Company 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 Company 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-4
<PAGE>   22


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant 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
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on the 
21st day of April, 1999.

                                     KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION

                                     By:     /s/ *
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Luke R. Corbett, Chief Executive Officer
                                        and Director

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 SIGNATURE                                           TITLE                            DATE
                 ---------                                           -----                            ----

<S>                                                        <C>                                   <C>
           /s/ *                                           Chief Executive Officer
- -----------------------------------------------------      and Director                          ------------------
                 Luke R. Corbett                           

           /s/ *                                           Chairman of the Board                 
- -----------------------------------------------------      and Director                          ------------------
                 Robert L. Keiser                          

           /s/ *                                           Vice Chairman of the                  
- -----------------------------------------------------      Board and Director                    ------------------
                 Tom J. McDaniel                           

           /s/ John C. Linehan                             Executive Vice President              April 23, 1999     
- -----------------------------------------------------      and Chief Financial Officer           ------------------
                 John C. Linehan                           

           /s/ *                                           Vice President and Controller         
- -----------------------------------------------------      and Chief Accounting Officer          ------------------
                 Deborah A. Kitchens                       

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 William E. Bradford

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Sylvia A. Earle

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 David C. Genever-Watling

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Martin C. Jischke

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 William C. Morris

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 John J. Murphy

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Leroy C. Richie

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Richard M. Rompala

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Matthew R. Simmons

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Farah M. Walters

           /s/ *                                           Director                              
- -----------------------------------------------------                                            ------------------
                 Ian L. White-Thomson
</TABLE>


*BY:       /s/ John C. Linehan                        
    -------------------------------------------------
      John C. Linehan
      Executive Vice President and
      Chief Financial Officer
      April 23, 1999


<PAGE>   23



                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         EXHIBIT                                                                                 
         NUMBER                               EXHIBIT                                            
         -------                              -------                                            



         <S>              <C>
            4.1           --    Indenture dated as of August 1, 1982 between the Company and
                                Citibank, N.A., Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registration
                                Number 2-78952, is herein incorporated by reference.

            4.2           --    Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 21, 1997.

            5*            --    Opinion of Russell G. Horner, Jr..

           12             --    Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the years
                                1994 through 1998, filed as Exhibit 12 to the Company's Annual
                                Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 (File
                                No. 1-3939), is herein incorporated by reference.

           23.1           --    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

           23.2*          --    Consent of Russell G. Horner, Jr. (Included in Exhibit 5)

           24             --    Powers of Attorney.

           25*            --    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
                                Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Citibank, N.A.
</TABLE>

- ---------------

To Be Filed By Amendment


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.2
1

                  THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated October 21, 1997, is
between KERR-McGEE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the
"Corporation"), and CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association duly
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as
Trustee under the Indenture referred to below (hereinafter called the
"Trustee").

                                    RECITALS

                  The Company and the Trustee are parties to an Indenture,
dated as of August 1, 1982 (the "Indenture"), relating to the issuance from
time to time by the Company of its Securities on terms to be specified at the
time of issuance. Capitalized terms herein, not otherwise defined herein, shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                  The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of
this First Supplemental Indenture in order to (i) provide for the issuance of
Global Securities, (ii) provide for the defeasance of certain obligations, and
(iii) provide for the conformity of the Indenture to the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended.

                  The Company has requested the Trustee and the Trustee has
agreed to join with it in the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental
Indenture.

                  Section 901(f) of the Indenture provides that the Company,
acting pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from
time to time, may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to make
such provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under the Indenture
which shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Securities.

                  The Company has determined that this First Supplemental
Indenture complies with Section 901(f) and does not require the consent of any
Holders of Securities. On the basis of the foregoing, the Trustee has
determined that this First Supplemental Indenture is in form satisfactory to
it.

                  The Company has furnished the Trustee with an Officer's
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel complying with the requirements of
Section 905 of the Indenture, stating that the execution of this First
Supplemental Indenture is authorized or permitted by the Indenture, and has
delivered to the Trustee a Board Resolution authorizing the execution and
delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture, together with such other
documents as may have been required by Section 102 of the Indenture.


<PAGE>   2
2

                  All things necessary to make this First Supplemental
Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Trustee and a valid
amendment of and supplement to the Indenture have been done.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

                  For and in consideration of the premises, it is mutually
covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders
of Securities, as follows:

                  A. AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE

                  1. The definition of "Board of Directors" set forth in
Section 101 of the Indenture is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:

                  "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of that board or any director or
directors and/or officer or officers of the Company to whom that board or
committee shall have duly delegated its authority.

                  2. The definition of "Board Resolution" set forth in Section
101 of the Indenture is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:

                  "Board Resolution" means (1) a copy of a resolution certified
by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly
adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the
date of such certification, or (2) a certificate signed by the director or
directors and/or officer or officers to whom the board of directors or any duly
authorized committee of that board shall have duly delegated its authority, in
each case delivered to the Trustee for the Securities of any series.

                  3. The definition of "Trust Indenture Act" set forth in
Section 101 of the Indenture is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:

                  "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture act of 1939,
as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, as in force at the date
as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 903.

                  4. Section 101 of the Indenture is hereby amended by adding
the following definition of "Global Security" after the definition of "Funded
Debt":

                  "Global Security" means a Security evidencing all or part of
a series of Securities, including, without limitation, any temporary or
permanent Global Securities.


<PAGE>   3
3

                  5. Section 101 of the Indenture is hereby amended by adding
the following definition of "U.S. Depositary" after the definition of "United
States":

                  "U.S. Depositary" means a clearing agency registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto,
which shall in either case be designated by the Corporation pursuant to Section
301, until a successor U.S. Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "U.S. Depositary" shall
mean or include each Person who is then a U.S. Depositary hereunder, and if at
any time there is more than one such Person, "U.S. Depositary" as used with
respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the U.S. Depositary with
respect to the Securities of that series.

                  6. Section 102 of the Indenture is hereby amended by adding
in the first line of the second paragraph, after the word "certificate", the
following:

(other than certificates provided pursuant to Section 1006)

                  7. Section 107 of the Indenture is hereby deleted and
replaced by the following:

                  If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by any of Sections 310 through 317, inclusive, of the Trust
Indenture Act through the operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such imposed
duties shall control.

                  8. Section 202 of the Indenture is hereby amended by
substituting "Authorized Signatory" for "Authorized Officer" under the
signature line of the form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

                  9. Article Two of the Indenture is hereby amended by adding
Section 203 as follows:

                  Section 203.  Securities in Global Form.

                  If any Security of a series is issuable in global form (a
"GLOBAL SECURITY"), such Global Security may provide that it shall represent
the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed
thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding
Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced to reflect
exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any
increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented
thereby shall be made by the Trustee and in such manner as shall be specified
in such Global Security. Any instructions by the Company with respect to a
Global Security, after its initial issuance, shall be in writing but need not
comply with Section 102.

<PAGE>   4
4

                  None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the
Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of
the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

                  10. Section 301(5) of the Indenture is hereby deleted and
replaced by the following:

                  (5) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, where the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable; the extent
to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on any Global Security
on an Interest Payment Date will be paid, if other than in the manner provided
in Section 307; the extent, if any, to which the provisions of the last
sentence of Section 1001 shall apply to the Securities of the Series; and the
manner in which any principal of, or premium, if any, on, any Global Security
will be paid, if other than as set forth elsewhere herein;

                  11. Section 301 of the Indenture is hereby amended by
deleting the word "and" from the end of Section 301(10), by renumbering Section
301(11) as Section 301(13), and by inserting new Sections 301(11) and 301(12)
as follows:

                  (11) provisions, if any, for the defeasance of Securities of
the series;

                  (12) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such
case, the U.S. Depositary for such Global Security or Securities; the manner in
which and the circumstances under which Global Securities representing
Securities of the series may be exchanged for Securities in definitive form, if
other than, or in addition to, the manner and circumstances specified in
Section 307; and

                  12. Section 307 of the Indenture is hereby amended by adding
the following paragraphs at the end thereof:

                  If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that
the Securities of a series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of
one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall, in accordance with Section 303 and the Company Order with respect to
such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities in
temporary or permanent form that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated
in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of such series to be represented by one or more Global Securities,
(ii) shall be registered in the name of the U.S. Depositary for such Global
Security or Securities or the nominee of such depositary, and (iii) shall bear
a legend substantially to the following effect: "This Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary
or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the
Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor 


<PAGE>   5
5

Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary, unless and until this
Security is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive form"
and such other legend as may be required by the U.S. Depositary.

                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or
Section 307, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for
Securities in definitive form, a Global Security representing all or a portion
of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the
U.S. Depositary for such series to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee
of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or
by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor U.S. Depositary for such
series or a nominee of such successor depositary.

                  If at any time the U.S. Depositary for the Securities of a
series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as U.S.
Depositary for the Securities of such series or if at any time the U.S.
Depositary for Securities of a series shall no longer be a clearing agency
registered and in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a
successor U.S. Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series. If a
successor U.S. Depositary for the Securities of such series is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes
aware of such condition, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon
receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive
Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such
series in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series
in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

                  The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion
determine that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more
Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or
Securities. In such event, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon
receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive
Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such
series in definitive form and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series
in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

                  If the Securities of any series shall have been issued in the
form of one or more Global Securities and if an Event of Default with respect
to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Company will promptly execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order
for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series,
will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive form and
in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global
Security or Securities representing such series in exchange for such Global
Security or Securities.


<PAGE>   6
6

                  If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 301 with
respect to Securities of a series, the U.S. Depositary for such series of
Securities may surrender a Global Security for such series of Securities in
exchange in whole or in part for Securities of such series in definitive form
on such terms as are acceptable to the Company and such depositary. Thereupon,
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
without charge:

                         (i) to each Person specified by the U.S. Depositary a
                  new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of
                  any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in an
                  aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such
                  Person's beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

                         (ii) to the U.S. Depositary a new Global Security in a
                  denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the
                  principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the
                  aggregate principal amount of Securities delivered to Holders
                  thereof.

                  Upon the exchange of a Global Security in whole for
Securities in definitive form, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the
Trustee. Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this
subsection (c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the U.S. Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to
instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Persons
in whose names such Securities are so registered.

                  13. Section 608 of the Indenture is hereby deleted and
replaced by the following:

                  The Trustee for the Securities shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act during the period of
time required thereby. Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee from filing
with the Commission the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of
Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. In determining whether the Trustee
has a conflicting interest as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act with respect to the Securities of any series, there shall be excluded
Securities of any particular series of Securities other than that series.

                  14. Section 609 of the Indenture is hereby deleted and
replaced by the following:

                  There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be

                         (i) a corporation organized and doing business under
                  the laws of the United States of America, any 


<PAGE>   7
7
                  state thereof, or the District of Columbia, authorized under
                  such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, and subject to
                  supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, or

                         (ii) a corporation or other Person organized and doing
                  business under the laws of a foreign government that is
                  permitted to act a Trustee pursuant to a rule, regulation, or
                  other order of the Commission, authorized under such laws to
                  exercise corporate trust powers, and subject to supervision
                  or examination by authority of such foreign government or a
                  political subdivision thereof substantially equivalent to
                  supervision or examination applicable to United States
                  institutional trustee,

having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 and having its
Corporate Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or
such other city as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of
Securities. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to requirements of the aforesaid supervising or
examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined
capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined
capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so
published. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under the common control with the Company shall
serve as Trustee for the Securities. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to
be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereunder specified in this
Article.

                  15. Section 610(d)(1) of the Indenture is amended to:

                     () Delete the phrase "608(a)" after the word "Section" in
the first line thereof and to add the phrase in substitution for such deleted
phrase "310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act pursuant to Section 608 hereof."

                     () Add immediately after the word "months" in the fourth
line thereof the phrase ", unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed in
accordance with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act."

                  16. Section 613(a) of the Indenture is hereby amended to
substitute the word "three" for the word "four" each time it appears therein.

                  17. Section 703(a) of the Indenture is amended to:

                     (a) Add the phrase "any of the following events which may
have occurred within the prior 12 months (but if no such event has occurred
within such period no report need be transmitted)" immediately after the word
"to" on the fourth line of subsection (a) of Section 703;


<PAGE>   8
8

                     (b) Add the phrase "any change to" immediately after (1)
and renumbered (4) and (5) of Section 703(a)(1),(4) and (5) and delete from
Section 703(a)(1) the phrase ", or in lieu thereof, if to the best of its
knowledge it has continued to be eligible and qualified under said Sections, a
written statement to that effect;"

                      (c) Add a new subsection (2) thereto, which will read in
its entirety as follows:

                                        (2) The creation of any material change
                         to a relationship specified in Section 310(b)(1)
                         through Section 310(b)(10) of the Trust Indenture Act;

and renumber the following subsections accordingly.

                  18. Section 1006 of the Indenture is hereby amended to:

                     (a) Delete the reference to the following signatories
referred to beginning in the fifth line thereof: "Chairman or Vice Chairman of
the Board or the President or any Vice President of the Company and by the
Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary" and substitute in lieu
thereof a reference to the following signatories: "principal executive officer,
principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company."

                     (b) Add the following sentence after the last sentence
thereof: "For purposes of this Section, such compliance shall be determined
without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under
this Indenture."

                  19. The Indenture is hereby amended by adding Article 14 as
follows:

                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                                   DEFEASANCE

                  Section 1401.  Applicability of Article.

                  If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for the
defeasance of Securities of a series, then the provisions of this Article shall
be applicable except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for
Securities of such series.

                  Section 1402. Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S.
Government Obligations.

                  At the Company's option, either (a) the Company shall be
deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with
respect to Securities of any series ("LEGAL DEFEASANCE OPTION") or (b) the
Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term,
provision or condition set forth in Sections 801, 1004, 1005, 1008 and 1009
with respect 


<PAGE>   9
9

to Securities of any series (and, if so specified pursuant to Section 301, any
other obligation of the Company or restrictive covenant added for the benefit
of such series pursuant to Section 301) ("COVENANT DEFEASANCE OPTION") at any
time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied:

                         (1) the Company shall have deposited or caused to be
                  deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in
                  trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated
                  solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of
                  such series (i) money in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government
                  Obligations (as defined below) which through the payment of
                  interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with
                  their terms will provide, not later than one day before the
                  due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a
                  combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with
                  respect to (i) and (ii)) of a nationally recognized firm of
                  independent public accountants expressed in a written
                  certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
                  discharge each installment of principal (including any
                  mandatory sinking fund payments) of and premium, if any, and
                  interest on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the
                  dates such installments of interest or principal and premium
                  are due;

                         (2) such deposit shall not cause the Trustee with
                  respect to the Securities of that series to have a
                  conflicting interest as defined in Section 608 and for
                  purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the
                  Securities of any series;

                         (3) such deposit will not result in a breach or
                  violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture
                  or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is
                  a party or by which it is bound;

                         (4) if the Securities of such series are then listed
                  on any national securities exchange, the Company shall have
                  delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel or a letter or
                  other document from such exchange to the effect that the
                  Company's exercise of its option under this Section would not
                  cause such Securities to be delisted;

                         (5) no Event of Default or event (including such
                  deposit) which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
                  become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of
                  such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date
                  of such deposit and, with respect to the legal defeasance
                  option only, no Event of Default under Section 501(e) or
                  Section 501(f) or event which with the giving of notice or
                  lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default
                  under Section 501(e) or Section 501(f) shall have occurred
                  and be continuing on the 91st day after such date; and


<PAGE>   10
10

                         (6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an
                  Opinion of Counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue
                  Service to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of
                  such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for
                  Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit,
                  defeasance or Discharge.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company exercises its covenant defeasance
option and an Event of Default under Section 501(e) or Section 501(f) or event
which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an
Event of Default under Section 501(e) or Section 501(f) shall have occurred and
be continuing on the 91st day after the date of such deposit, the obligations
of the Company referred to under the definition of covenant defeasance option
with respect to such Securities shall be reinstated.

                      "DISCHARGED" means that the Company shall be deemed to
have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations
under, the Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations
under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee,
at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging
the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to
receive, from the trust fund described in clause (1) above, payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities when such
payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to the Securities
of such series under Sections 305, 306, 307, 1002 and 1403 and to the Trustee
under Section 607 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of
the Trustee hereunder. 

                      "U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS" means securities that are
(i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged, or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States
the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States, which, in either case under clauses (i) or
(ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and
shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as
custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific
payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government obligation held
by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt;
provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to
make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository
receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S.
Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the
U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

                  Section 1403. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government,
Obligations to Be Held in Trust.


<PAGE>   11
11

                  All moneys and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the
Trustee pursuant to Section 1402 in respect of Securities of a series shall be
held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of such
Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any
Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the
Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and
to become due thereon for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any,
but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent
required by law.


                  Section 1404.  Repayment to Company.

                  The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay or return
to the Company upon Company Request any moneys or U.S. Government Obligations
held by them at any time that are not required for the payment of the principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of any series for which
money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section
1402.

                  The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall
apply to any money held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article
that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of
Securities for which money or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited
pursuant to Section 1402.

                  20. The Table of Contents of the Indenture is amended to
reflect the additions and deletions described in this First Supplemental
Indenture.

                  B.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

                  1. The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the
statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the
correctness of same, except for the recital indicating the Trustee's approval
of the form of this First Supplemental Indenture. The Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity of this First Supplemental Indenture.

                  2. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.

                  3. All provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall
be deemed to be incorporated in, and made part of, the Indenture; and the
Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, shall be read,
taken and construed as one and the same instrument.


<PAGE>   12
12

                  4. The Trustee accepts the trust created by the Indenture, as
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the
same upon the terms and conditions in the Indenture, as supplemented by this
First Supplemental Indenture.

                  5. In case any provision in this First Supplemental Indenture
shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.

                  6. Nothing in this First Supplemental Indenture, express or
implied, shall give to any Person, (other than the parties hereto, any Security
Registrar, any Paying Agent, and Authenticating Agent and their successors
under the Indenture, and the Holders of the Securities), any benefit or any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture.

                  7. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to be a
contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes
shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said State.


<PAGE>   13
13


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate
seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first
above written.

                                    KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION


[CORPORATE SEAL]                    By:                                
Attest:                               Title:  Executive Vice President
                                              and Chief Financial Officer



Title:  Assistant Secretary


                                    CITIBANK, N.A.
                                          as Trustee


[CORPORATE SEAL]                    By:                                
Attest:                               Title:  Vice President




Title:

<PAGE>   14







STATE OF _______________)
                                                                    :  ss.:
COUNTY OF ______________)


                                                            On the _____ day of 
_____________, 1997, before me personally came ___________________, to me
known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at
________________________________; that he is _____________________________ of
KERR-McGEE CORPORATION, one of the corporations described in and which executed
the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the
seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed
by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation; and that he signed
his name thereto by like authority.


                                                       -------------------------
                                                              Notary Public



NOTARIAL SEAL




<PAGE>   15



STATE OF _______________)
                                                                    :  ss.:
COUNTY OF ______________)


                                                               On the ___ day of

__________, 1997, before me personally came ______________, to me known, who,
being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he resides at
_______________________; that he is ______________ of CITIBANK, N.A., one of
the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that
he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument
is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of
Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like
authority.


                                                       -------------------------
                                                              Notary Public



NOTARIAL SEAL




<PAGE>   16

18














                             KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION


                                       TO


                                CITIBANK, N.A.,
                                      AS TRUSTEE







                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                             DATED OCTOBER 21, 1997

                    SUPPLEMENTING AND AMENDING THE INDENTURE
                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 1982











<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in t his Registration Statement on Form S-3 and in
the related Prospectus of our report dated February 26, 1999, included and
incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kerr-McGee
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998 and to all references to our
Firm included in this Registration Statement on Form S-3.


                                                  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


                                                  By /s/ 
                                                    ---------------------------

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


April 23, 1999



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 24

                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument
effective the 5th day of April, 1999.


                                               /s/ WILLIAM E. BRADFORD
                                               --------------------------------
                                               WILLIAM E. BRADFORD, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   2



            
                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in her capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, her true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
her and in her name, place and stead, in her capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument
effective the 5th day of April, 1999.


                                                /s/ SYLVIA A. EARLE  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                SYLVIA A. EARLE, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   3



            
                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument
effective the 5th day of April, 1999.


                                              /s/ DAVID C. GENEVER-WATLING
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              DAVID C. GENEVER-WATLING, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   4




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument
effective the 5th day of April, 1999.


                                                /s/ IAN L. WHITE-THOMSON  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                IAN L. WHITE-THOMSON, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   5




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director and
Officer of the Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel
and John C. Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys
or attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director and Officer
of the Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument
effective the 5th day of April, 1999.

                                             
                                              /s/ ROBERT L. KEISER    
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              ROBERT L. KEISER
                                              CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   6





                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ MARTIN C. JISCHKE  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                MARTIN C. JISCHKE, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   7




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ WILLIAM MORRIS  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                WILLIAM MORRIS, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   8




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ JOHN J. MURPHY  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                JOHN J. MURPHY, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   9



                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ LEROY C. RICHIE  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                LEROY C. RICHIE, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   10
                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ RICHARD M. ROMPALA
                                                --------------------------------
                                                RICHARD M. ROMPALA, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   11




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in her capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, her true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
her and in her name, place and stead, in her capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ FARAH M. WALTERS
                                                --------------------------------
                                                FARAH M. WALTERS, DIRECTOR


<PAGE>   12




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in her capacity as an Officer of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, her true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
her and in her name, place and stead, in her capacity as an Officer of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ DEBORAH A. KITCHENS
                                                --------------------------------
                                                DEBORAH A. KITCHENS
                                                VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER


<PAGE>   13




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as an Officer of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett and Tom J. McDaniel, and each of
them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or attorney-in-fact and agents or
agent with power to act with or without the others and with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute for him and in his name, place and
stead, in his capacity as an Officer of the Company, the Registration Statement
and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, as
said attorneys or any of them shall deem necessary or appropriate, together
with all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to
file the same or cause the same to be filed with the Commission. Each of said
attorneys shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and
on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever
necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents
and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned
hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ JOHN C. LINEHAN
                                                --------------------------------
                                                JOHN C. LINEHAN
                                                EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                                CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


<PAGE>   14




                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as an Officer of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as an Officer of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ JOHN M. RAUH
                                                --------------------------------
                                                JOHN M. RAUH
                                                VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER


<PAGE>   15





                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director and
Officer of the Company, does hereby appoint Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director and Officer
of the Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                             /s/ LUKE R. CORBETT
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             LUKE R. CORBETT
                                             DIRECTOR, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
                                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


<PAGE>   16





                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director and
Officer of the Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director and Officer
of the Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument this
13th day of January, 1998.


                                                /s/ TOM J. MCDANIEL
                                                --------------------------------
                                                TOM J. MCDANIEL, DIRECTOR AND
                                                VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD



<PAGE>   17





                             KERR-McGEE CORPORATION

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, Kerr-McGee Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-3, including a Prospectus (the "Registration
Statement") with such amendment or amendments thereto as may be necessary or
appropriate, together with any and all exhibits and other documents having
relation to the Registration Statement, in connection with the Company's
proposal to issue and sell up to $1,000,000,000 debt securities of the Company;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint Luke R. Corbett, Tom J. McDaniel and John C.
Linehan, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorneys or
attorney-in-fact and agents or agent with power to act with or without the
others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute for
him and in his name, place and stead, in his capacity as a Director of the
Company, the Registration Statement and any and all amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, as said attorneys or any of them shall
deem necessary or appropriate, together with all instruments necessary or
incidental in connection therewith, and to file the same or cause the same to
be filed with the Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power and
authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, in
any and all capacities, every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done
in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the
acts of said attorney or attorneys.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument
effective the 12th day of January, 1999.


                                                /s/ MATTHEW R. SIMMONS
                                                --------------------------------
                                                MATTHEW R. SIMMONS, DIRECTOR




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