MURPHY OIL CORP /DE
10-K, 1997-03-27
PETROLEUM REFINING
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
      [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                     For the fiscal year ended DECEMBER 31, 1996

                                       OR

    [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            For the transition period from __________ to _________

                         Commission file number 1-8590

                             MURPHY OIL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                                71-0361522
   (State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)              Identification Number)
                                        

   200 Peach Street, P. O. Box 7000, El Dorado, Arkansas           71731-7000
          (Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

    Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (501) 862-6411
                                                         (until April 14, 1997)
                                                         (870) 862-6411 
                                                         (after April 14, 1997)

   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


         Title of each class           Name of each exchange on which registered


     Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value            New York Stock Exchange
                                              The Toronto Stock Exchange

     Series A Participating Cumulative        New York Stock Exchange
     Preferred Stock Purchase Rights          The Toronto Stock Exchange

   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.   Yes  X    No 
                            ---       ---.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [ ]

Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant, based on average price at February 28, 1997 as quoted by the New
York Stock Exchange, was approximately $1,555,503,000.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value, outstanding at February 28,
1997, was 44,873,752.

                      Documents incorporated by reference:

The Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders on May 14, 1997                                          (Part III)

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                   TABLE OF CONTENTS - 1996 FORM 10-K REPORT

                                                                     Page
                                                                    Numbers
                                                                    -------
                     PART I
          
Item  1.   Business                                                    3
          
Item  2.   Properties                                                  3
          
Item  3.   Legal Proceedings                                           8
          
Item  4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders         8
          
                     PART II
          
Item  5.   Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
           Related Stockholder Matters                                 9
          
Item  6.   Selected Financial Data                                     9
          
Item  7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
           Financial Condition and Results of Operation                9
          
Item  8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                 9
          
Item  9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants
           on Accounting and Financial Disclosure                      9
          
                     PART III
          
Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant          9
          
Item 11.   Executive Compensation                                      9
          
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 
           Management                                                  9
          
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions              9
          
                     PART IV
          
Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
           Reports on Form 8-K                                        10
 
Signatures                                                            11
 
Exhibit Index                                                         12

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                     PART I

ITEMS 1. AND 2.  BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES.

     SUMMARY

     Murphy Oil Corporation is a worldwide oil and gas exploration and
     production company with refining and marketing operations in the United
     States and the United Kingdom as well as pipeline and crude oil trading
     operations in Canada. As used in this report, the terms Murphy, we, our,
     its, and Company may refer to Murphy Oil Corporation or any one or more of
     its consolidated subsidiaries.

     The Company was originally incorporated in Louisiana in 1950 as Murphy
     Corporation; reincorporated in Delaware in 1964, at which time it adopted
     the name Murphy Oil Corporation; and reorganized in 1983 to operate solely
     as a holding company of its various businesses.  Its activities are
     classified into two business segments:  (1) "Exploration and Production,"
     and (2) "Refining, Marketing, and Transportation."  Additionally,
     "Corporate" activities include interest income, interest expense, and
     overhead not allocated to either of the business segments.  On December 31,
     1996, Murphy completed a spin-off to its stockholders of its wholly owned
     farm, timber, and real estate subsidiary, Deltic Farm & Timber Co., Inc.
     (reincorporated in Delaware as "Deltic Timber Corporation").  On November
     6, 1996, Murphy announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to
     merge its refining and marketing interests in the United Kingdom with those
     of Elf Oil U.K. Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine of
     France, and Gulf Oil (Great Britain) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of
     Chevron Corporation; but on March 13, 1997, the Company elected to withdraw
     from further participation in the merger negotiations.

     The information appearing on pages 2 through 50 of the 1996 Annual Report
     to Security Holders (1996 Annual Report) is incorporated in this Annual
     Report on Form 10-K as Exhibit 13 and is deemed to be filed as part of this
     10-K report as indicated under Items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 14.  A
     narrative of the graphic and image information that appears in the paper
     format version of Exhibit 13 on pages 2 through 50 is included in the
     electronic Form 10-K document as an appendix to Exhibit 13 (pages A-1
     through A-8).

     In addition to the following information about each business segment, data
     relative to Murphy's operations, properties, and industry segments,
     including revenues by class of products and financial information by
     geographic areas, are described on pages 22 through 29, 36, 43, and 46
     through 47 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as
     Exhibit 13.

     EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

     During 1996, Murphy's principal exploration and/or production activities
     were conducted in the United States and Ecuador by wholly owned Murphy
     Exploration & Production Company (Murphy Expro) and its subsidiaries; in
     Canada by wholly owned Murphy Oil Company Ltd. (MOCL) and its subsidiaries;
     and in the U.K. North Sea by wholly owned Murphy Petroleum Limited.
     Murphy's crude oil and natural gas liquids production in 1996 was in the
     United States, Canada, the U.K. North Sea, and Ecuador; its natural gas was
     produced and sold in the United States, Canada, the U.K. North Sea, and
     Spain.  MOCL also has a five-percent interest in Syncrude Canada Ltd.,
     which extracts synthetic crude oil from oil sand deposits in northern
     Alberta.  In addition, subsidiaries of Murphy Expro conducted exploration
     activities in various other countries including China, Ireland, Peru, the
     Falkland Islands, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

     Murphy's estimated net quantities of proved oil and gas reserves and proved
     developed oil and gas reserves at January 1, 1994 and at December 31, 1994,
     1995, and 1996 by geographic area are reported on page 45 of the 1996
     Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.  Murphy
     has not filed and is not required to file any estimates of its total proved
     net oil or gas reserves on a recurring basis with any federal or foreign
     governmental regulatory authority or agency other than the U.S. Securities
     and Exchange Commission. Annually, Murphy reports gross reserves of
     properties operated in the United States to the U.S. Department of Energy;
     such reserves are derived from the same data from which estimated net
     proved reserves of such properties are determined.

     Net crude oil, condensate, and gas liquids production and net natural gas
     sales by geographic area with weighted average sales prices for each of the
     five years ended December 31, 1996 are shown on page 49 of the 1996 Annual
     Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION (Contd.)

     Production costs in U.S. dollars per equivalent barrel produced, including
     natural gas volumes converted to equivalent barrels of crude oil on the
     basis of approximate relative energy content, are discussed on pages 24 and
     25 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit
     13.

     Supplemental disclosures about oil and gas producing activities are
     reported on pages 44 through 48 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed
     in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

     At December 31, 1996, Murphy held leases, concessions, contracts, or
     permits on nonproducing and producing acreage as shown by country in the
     following table.  Gross acres are those in which all or part of the working
     interest is owned by Murphy; net acres are the portions of the gross acres
     applicable to Murphy's working interest.  All amounts shown are in
     thousands of acres.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Nonproducing         Producing              Total
                                             --------------      --------------       --------------
       Country                               Gross    Net        Gross    Net         Gross    Net
       -------                               ------  ------      ------  ------       ------  ------
<S>                                          <C>     <C>         <C>     <C>          <C>     <C> 
       United States - Onshore                   14       7          39      20           53      27
                     - Gulf of Mexico           598     369         392     144          990     513
                     - Frontier                 122      88           -       -          122      88
                                             ------  ------      ------  ------       ------  ------
         Total United States                    734     464         431     164        1,165     628
                                             ------  ------      ------  ------       ------  ------
   
       Canada        - Onshore                  773     468         409     169        1,182     637
                     - Offshore                 147      26           -       -          147      26
                     - Oil sands                167      40          13       5          180      45
                                             ------  ------      ------  ------       ------  ------
         Total Canada                         1,087     534         422     174        1,509     708
                                             ------  ------      ------  ------       ------  ------

       United Kingdom                           658     151         100      21          758     172
       Ecuador                                    -       -         494      99          494      99
       China                                    563     254           -       -          563     254
       Falkland Islands                         401     100           -       -          401     100
       Ireland                                  650     162           -       -          650     162
       Pakistan                               9,545   7,850           -       -        9,545   7,850
       Peru                                   2,486   2,486           -       -        2,486   2,486
       Spain                                     89      16           -       -           89      16
       Tunisia                                  165      42           -       -          165      42
                                             ------  ------      ------  ------       ------  ------
         Totals                              16,378  12,059       1,447     458       17,825  12,517
                                             ======  ======      ======  ======       ======  ======
</TABLE>

     Oil and gas wells producing or capable of producing at December 31, 1996
     are summarized in the following table.  Gross wells are those in which all
     or part of the working interest is owned by Murphy.  Net wells are the
     portions of the gross wells applicable to Murphy's working interest.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Oil Wells     Gas Wells
                                                   -------------  ------------
       Country                                     Gross    Net   Gross   Net
       -------                                     ------  -----  -----  -----
<S>                                                <C>     <C>    <C>    <C> 
       United States                                 348   154.3    281  117.2
       Canada                                      4,150   780.0    790  250.0
       United Kingdom                                 83    11.1     20    1.5
       Ecuador                                        37     7.4      -      -
                                                   -----   -----  -----  -----
         Totals                                    4,618   952.8  1,091  368.7
                                                   =====   =====  =====  =====
 
       Wells included above with multiple
        completions and counted as one well each      93    42.4     83   59.2
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION (Contd.)

     Murphy's net wells drilled in the last three years are summarized in the
     following table.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         United                      United
                         States        Canada       Kingdom        Ecuador         Other         Totals
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  ------------
                       Pro-          Pro-          Pro-          Pro-            Pro-          Pro-
                      ductive  Dry  ductive  Dry  ductive  Dry  ductive   Dry   ductive  Dry  ductive  Dry
                      -------  ---  -------  ---  -------  ---  -------  -----  -------  ---  -------  ---
<S>                   <C>      <C>  <C>      <C>  <C>      <C>  <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>  <C>      <C>
                    
      1996          
      ----          
      Exploratory        13.8  3.9      5.3  4.0        -  1.1        -      -       .4    -     19.5  9.0
                    
                    
      Development         4.6    -     70.2  2.5      1.0   .1      2.2      -        -    -     78.0  2.6
                    
                    
      1995          
      ----          
      Exploratory         4.6  1.9      6.0  4.3       .3   .1        -      -        -   .5     10.9  6.8
                    
                    
      Development         2.0    -     25.9  1.6       .8    -      2.8      -        -    -     31.5  1.6
                    
                    
      1994          
      ----          
      Exploratory         6.1  4.0      5.4  5.0       .5   .5        -      -        -    -     12.0  9.5
                    
                    
      Development          .5   .1     29.8  1.5       .6    -      2.0      -        -    -     32.9  1.6

</TABLE> 
     Murphy's drilling wells in progress at December 31, 1996 are summarized as
     follows.
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 Exploratory      Development        Totals
                                                                 -----------      -----------      -----------
       Country                                                   Gross   Net      Gross   Net      Gross   Net
       -------                                                   -----   ---      -----   ---      -----   ---
<S>                                                              <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     <C> 
       United States                                                 5   2.9          4   2.6          9   5.5
       Canada                                                        -     -          2   1.8          2   1.8
       United Kingdom                                                -     -          5    .5          5    .5
       Ecuador                                                       -     -          1    .2          1    .2
                                                                  ----   ---        ---   ---         --  ----
         Totals                                                      5   2.9         12   5.1         17   8.0
                                                                  ====   ===        ===   ===         ==  ====
</TABLE>

     Additional information about current exploration and production activities
     is reported on pages 2 through 13 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed
     in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

     REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION

     Murphy Oil USA, Inc. (MOUSA), a wholly owned subsidiary, owns and operates
     two refineries in the United States.  The refinery at Superior, Wisconsin
     is located on fee land.  The Meraux, Louisiana refinery is located on fee
     land and two leases that expire in 2010 and 2021, at which times the
     Company has options to purchase the leased acreage at fixed prices.  Murco
     Petroleum Limited (Murco), a wholly owned U.K. subsidiary serviced by
     Murphy Eastern Oil Company, has an effective 30-percent interest in a
     108,000-barrel-a-day refinery at Milford Haven, Wales.  Refinery capacities
     at December 31, 1996 are shown in the following table.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION (Contd.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Milford Haven,
                                              Meraux,      Superior,      Wales
                                             Louisiana     Wisconsin  (Murco's 30%)   Totals
                                           --------------  ---------  -------------  ---------
<S>                                        <C>             <C>        <C>            <C>
      Crude capacity - b/sd*                      100,000     35,000       32,400      167,400
 
      Process capacities - b/sd*
        Vacuum distillation                        50,000     20,500       16,500       87,000
        Catalytic cracking - fresh feed            38,000     11,000        9,960       58,960
        Pretreating cat-reforming feeds            22,000      9,000        5,490       36,490
        Catalytic reforming                        18,000      8,000        5,490       31,490
        Distillate hydrotreating                   15,000      5,800       20,250       41,050
        Gas oil hydrotreating                      27,500          -            -       27,500
        Solvent deasphalting                       18,000          -            -       18,000
        Isomerization                                   -      2,000        2,250        4,250
 
      Production capacities - b/sd*
        Alkylation                                  8,500      1,500        1,680       11,680
        Asphalt                                         -      7,500            -        7,500
 
      Crude oil and product storage
       capacities - bbls.                       4,453,000  2,852,000    2,638,000    9,943,000
</TABLE>
        *Barrels per stream day.

     Murphy distributes refined products from 56 terminal locations in the
     United States to retail and wholesale accounts in the United States (MOUSA)
     and Canada (MOCL) under the brand names SPUR(R) and Murphy USA and to
     unbranded wholesale accounts. Ten terminals are wholly owned and operated
     by MOUSA, 16 are jointly owned and operated by others, and the remaining 30
     are owned by others. Of the terminals wholly owned or jointly owned by
     MOUSA, four are marine terminals, two are supplied by truck, two are
     adjacent to MOUSA's refineries, and 18 are supplied by pipeline. MOUSA
     receives products at the terminals owned by others in exchange for
     deliveries from the Company's wholly owned and jointly owned terminals. At
     the end of 1996, refined products were marketed at wholesale and/or retail
     through 527 branded stations in 17 southeastern and upper-midwestern states
     and seven branded stations in the Thunder Bay area of Ontario, Canada.

     At the end of 1996, Murco distributed refined products in the United
     Kingdom from the Milford Haven refinery; three wholly owned, rail-fed
     terminals; eight terminals owned by others where products are received in
     exchange for deliveries from the Company's wholly owned terminals; and 424
     branded stations under the brand names MURCO and EP.

     Murphy owns a 20-percent interest in a 120-mile, 165,000-barrel-a-day
     refined products pipeline that transports products from the Meraux refinery
     to two common carrier pipelines serving Murphy's marketing area in the
     southeastern United States.  The Company also owns a 22-percent interest in
     a 312-mile crude oil pipeline in Montana and Wyoming with a capacity of
     120,000 barrels a day and a 3.2-percent interest in LOOP Inc., which
     provides deep-water off-loading accommodations off the Louisiana coast for
     oil tankers and onshore facilities for storage of crude oil.  In addition,
     Murphy owns 29.4 percent of a 22-mile, 300,000-barrel-a-day crude oil
     pipeline between LOOP storage at Clovelly, Louisiana and Alliance,
     Louisiana and 100 percent of a 24-mile, 200,000-barrel-a-day crude oil
     pipeline from Alliance to the Meraux refinery.  The pipeline from Alliance
     to Meraux is also connected to another company's pipeline system, allowing
     crude oil transported by that system to be shipped to the refinery.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION (Contd.)

     At December 31, 1996, MOCL operated the following Canadian crude oil
     pipelines, with the ownership percentage, extent, and capacity in barrels a
     day of each as shown.  MOCL also operated and owned all or most of several
     short lateral connecting pipelines.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Name           Description            Percent  Miles  Bbls./Day  Route
       ----           -----------            -------  -----  ---------  -----
<S>                   <C>                    <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>
       Manito         Dual heavy oil            52.5    101     50,000  Dulwich to Kerrobert, Sask.
       North-Sask     Dual heavy oil              36     40     22,000  Paradise Hill to Dulwich, Sask.
       Cactus Lake    Dual heavy oil            13.1     40     38,000  Cactus Lake to Kerrobert, Sask.
       Bodo           Dual heavy oil              41     15      9,000  Bodo, Alta. to Cactus Lake, Sask.
       Milk River     Dual medium/light oil      100   10.5    118,000  Milk River, Alta. to U.S. border
       Wascana        Single light oil           100    108     45,000  Regina, Sask. to U.S. border
       Eyehill        Dual heavy oil             100     28     15,000  Eyehill to Unity, Sask.
</TABLE>

     Additional information about current refining, marketing, and
     transportation activities and a statistical summary of key operating and
     financial indicators for each of the five years ended December 31, 1996 are
     reported on pages 3, 14 through 21, and 50 of the 1996 Annual Report, which
     is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

     EMPLOYEES

     Murphy had 1,339 full-time employees at December 31, 1996.

     COMPETITION AND OTHER CONDITIONS WHICH MAY AFFECT BUSINESS

     Murphy operates in the oil industry and experiences intense competition
     from other oil and gas companies, many of which have substantially greater
     resources.  In addition, the oil industry as a whole competes with other
     industries in supplying energy requirements around the world.  Murphy is a
     net purchaser of crude oil and other refinery feedstocks and occasionally
     purchases refined products and may therefore be required to respond to
     operating and pricing policies of others, including producing country
     governments from whom it makes purchases.  Additional information
     concerning current conditions of the Company's business is reported under
     the caption "Outlook" on page 28 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed
     in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

     The operations and earnings of Murphy have been and continue to be affected
     by worldwide political developments. Many governments, including those that
     are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),
     unilaterally intervene at times in the orderly market of crude oil and
     natural gas produced in their countries through such actions as fixing
     prices and determining rates of production and who may sell and buy the
     production. In addition, prices and availability of crude oil, natural gas,
     and refined products could be influenced by political unrest and by various
     governmental policies to restrict or increase petroleum usage and supply.
     Other governmental actions that could affect Murphy's operations and
     earnings include tax changes and regulations concerning: currency
     fluctuations, protection and/or remediation of the environment (See the
     caption "Environmental" on page 27 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is
     filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.), preferential and discriminatory
     awarding of oil and gas leases, restraints and controls on imports and
     exports, safety, and relationships between employers and employees. Because
     these and other government-influenced factors too numerous to list are
     subject to constant changes dictated by political considerations and are
     often made in great haste in response to changing internal and worldwide
     economic conditions and to actions of other governments or specific events,
     it is not practical to attempt to predict the effects of such factors on
     Murphy's future operations and earnings.

     Murphy's policy is to insure against known risks when insurance is
     available at costs and terms Murphy considers reasonable.  Certain existing
     risks are insured by Murphy only through Oil Insurance Limited (OIL), which
     is operated as a mutual insurance company by certain participating oil
     companies including Murphy and was organized to insure against risks for
     which commercial insurance is unavailable or for which the cost of
     commercial insurance is prohibitive.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The age (at January 1, 1997), present corporate office, and length of
     service in office of each of the Company's executive officers and persons
     chosen to become executive officers are reported in the following listing.
     Executive officers are elected annually but may be removed from office at
     any time by the Board of Directors.

      R. Madison Murphy - Age 39; Chairman of the Board since October 1994.  Mr.
        Murphy had been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and
        Administrative Officer, Director, and Member of the Executive Committee
        since 1993.  Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief
        Financial Officer from 1992 to 1993; Vice President, Planning/Treasury,
        from 1991 to 1992; and Vice President, Planning, from 1988 to 1991, with
        additional duties as Treasurer from 1990 until August 1991.

      Claiborne P. Deming - Age 42; President and Chief Executive Officer since
        October 1994 and Director and Member of the Executive Committee since
        1993.  In 1992, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
        Officer.  Mr. Deming was President of MOUSA from 1989 to 1992 and Vice
        President, Petroleum Operations, for Murphy from 1988 to 1989.

      Steven A. Cosse - Age 49; Senior Vice President since October 1994 and
        General Counsel since August 1991.  Mr. Cosse was elected Vice President
        in 1993.  For the eight years prior to August 1991, he was General
        Counsel for Murphy Expro, at that time named Ocean Drilling &
        Exploration Company (ODECO), a majority-owned subsidiary of Murphy.

      Herbert A. Fox Jr. - Age 62; Vice President since October 1994.  Mr. Fox
        has also been President of MOUSA since 1992.  He served with MOUSA as
        Vice President, Manufacturing, from 1990 to 1992 and as Manager of Crude
        Supply from 1973 to 1990.

      Bill H. Stobaugh - Age 45; Vice President since May 1995, when he joined
        the Company.  Prior to that, he had held various engineering, planning,
        and managerial positions, the most recent being with an engineering
        consulting firm.

      Odie F. Vaughan - Age 60; Treasurer since August 1991.  From 1975 through
        July 1991, he was with ODECO as Vice President of Taxes and Treasurer.

      Ronald W. Herman - Age 59; Controller since August 1991.  He was
        Controller of ODECO from 1977 through July 1991.

      Walter K. Compton - Age 34; Secretary since December 1996.  He has been an
        attorney with the Company since 1988 and became Manager, Law Department,
        in November 1996.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     Information related to legal proceedings contained in Note Q, page 42 of
     the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13,
     is incorporated herein.  Also, MOUSA, in connection with its ownership and
     operation of two oil refineries in the United States, is a defendant in two
     governmental actions that:  (1) seek monetary sanctions of $100,000 or
     more, and (2) arise under enacted provisions that regulate the discharge of
     materials into the environment or have the purpose of protecting the
     environment.  These actions individually or in the aggregate are not
     material to the financial condition of the Company.  In addition, Murphy
     and its subsidiaries are engaged in a number of other legal proceedings,
     all of which Murphy considers routine and incidental to its business and
     none of which is material as defined by the rules and regulations of the
     U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
     quarter of 1996.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
           MATTERS.

     The Company's Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the
     Toronto Stock Exchange.  Other information required by this item is
     reported on page 29 of the 1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K
     report as Exhibit 13.

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     Information required by this item appears on page 22 of the 1996 Annual
     Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
           RESULTS OF OPERATION.

     Information required by this item appears on pages 23 through 28 of the
     1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

     Information required by this item appears on pages 29 through 48 of the
     1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.

ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
           FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None


                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Certain information regarding executive officers of the Company is included
     in Part I, page 8, of this 10-K report. Other information required by this
     item is incorporated by reference to the Registrant's definitive proxy
     statement for the annual meeting of stockholders on May 14, 1997, under the
     caption "Election of Directors."

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
     Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of
     stockholders on May 14, 1997, under the captions "Compensation of
     Directors," "Executive Compensation," "Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-End
     Values," "Option Grants," "Compensation Committee Report for 1996,"
     "Shareholder Return Performance Presentation," and "Retirement Plans."

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
     Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of
     stockholders on May 14, 1997, under the caption "Certain Stock Ownerships."

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the
     Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of
     stockholders on May 14, 1997, under the caption "Compensation Committee
     Interlocks and Insider Participation."

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 (a) 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      The following consolidated financial statements of Murphy Oil Corporation
      and consolidated subsidiaries are included on the pages indicated of the
      1996 Annual Report, which is filed in this 10-K report as Exhibit 13.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Exhibit 13
                                                             Page Nos.
                                                           -------------
<S>                                                        <C>
        Independent Auditors' Report                             30
        Consolidated Statements of Income                        31
        Consolidated Balance Sheets                              32
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                    33
        Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity          34
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements         35 through 43
</TABLE>

 (a)  2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

      Financial statement schedules are omitted because either they are not
      applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated
      financial statements or notes thereto.

 (a)  3.  EXHIBITS

      The Exhibit Index on page 12 of this 10-K report lists the exhibits that
      are hereby filed or incorporated by reference.

 (b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

      No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended December 31,
      1996.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION


By  /s/   CLAIBORNE P. DEMING               Date:        March 25, 1997
   ----------------------------------            -------------------------------
     Claiborne P. Deming, President


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below on March 25, 1997 by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities indicated.


/s/ R. MADISON MURPHY                     /s/ MICHAEL W. MURPHY                 
- -------------------------------------     ------------------------------------- 
R. Madison Murphy,                        Michael W. Murphy, Director
Chairman and Director                   
                                        
                                        
/s/ CLAIBORNE P. DEMING                   /s/ WILLIAM C. NOLAN JR.              
- -------------------------------------     ------------------------------------- 
Claiborne P. Deming, President and        William C. Nolan Jr., Director
Chief Executive Officer and Director                          
(Principal Executive Officer)                         
                                        
                                        
/s/ B. R. R. BUTLER                       /s/ CAROLINE G. THEUS                 
- -------------------------------------     ------------------------------------- 
B. R. R. Butler, Director                 Caroline G. Theus, Director
                                        
                                        
/s/ GEORGE S. DEMBROSKI                   /s/ LORNE C. WEBSTER                  
- -------------------------------------     ------------------------------------- 
George S. Dembroski, Director             Lorne C. Webster, Director
                                        
                                        
/s/ H. RODES HART                         /s/ STEVEN A. COSSE    
- -------------------------------------     -------------------------------------
H. Rodes Hart, Director                   Steven A. Cosse, Senior Vice
                                          President and General Counsel
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)
                                        
                                        
/s/ VESTER T. HUGHES JR.                  /s/ RONALD W. HERMAN                  
- -------------------------------------     ------------------------------------- 
Vester T. Hughes Jr., Director            Ronald W. Herman, Controller          
                                          (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ C. H. MURPHY JR.
- -------------------------------------
C. H. Murphy Jr., Director

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
Exhibit                                                                    Page Number or
  No.                                                                Incorporation by Reference to
- -------                                                         -----------------------------------------
<S>        <C>                                                    <C>
  3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of                        Page Ex. 3.1-1                            
           Murphy Oil Corporation as of                                                                     
           September 25, 1986                                                                               
                                                                                                            
  3.2      Bylaws of Murphy Oil Corporation at                    Exhibit 3.3, Page Ex. 3.3-1, of Murphy's  
           October 4, 1995                                        Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year   
                                                                  ended December 31, 1995                    
      
  4        Instruments Defining the Rights of Security
           Holders. Murphy is party to several long-term
           debt instruments, none of which authorizes
           securities that exceed 10 percent of the total
           assets of Murphy and its subsidiaries on a
           consolidated basis. Pursuant to Regulation S-K,
           item 601(b), paragraph 4(iii)(A), Murphy agrees
           to furnish a copy of each such instrument to the       
           Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
      
  4.1      Rights Agreement dated as of December 6,               Exhibit 4.1, Page Ex. 4.1-0, of Murphy's  
           1989 between Murphy Oil Corporation and                Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year   
           Harris Trust Company of New York, as Rights            ended December 31, 1994                    
           Agent
           
 10.1      1987 Management Incentive Plan (adopted May            Exhibit 10.2, Page Ex. 10.2-0, of Murphy's  
           13, 1987, amended February 7, 1990                     Annual Report on Form 10-K for the          
           retroactive to February 3, 1988)                       year ended December 31, 1994                
                                                                                                              
 10.2      1992 Stock Incentive Plan                              Exhibit 10.3, Page Ex. 10.3-0, of Murphy's  
                                                                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the          
                                                                  year ended December 31, 1992                 
           
 13        1996 Annual Report to Security Holders                 Page Ex. 13-0, report pp. 2 through 50
           Appendix - Narrative to Graphic and Image              (Page A-1 for electronic filing only)  
           Material
           
 21        Subsidiaries of the Registrant                         Page Ex. 21-1             
                                                                                            
 23        Independent Auditors' Consent                          Page Ex. 23-1             
                                                                                            
 27        Financial Data Schedule for 1996                       (Electronic filing only)  
                                                                                            
 99.1      Undertakings                                           Page Ex. 99.1-1            
           
 99.2      Form 11-K, Annual Report for the fiscal                To be filed as an amendment of this Annual 
           year ended December 31, 1996 covering the              Report on Form 10-K not later than         
           Thrift Plan for Employees of Murphy Oil                180 days after December 31, 1996            
           Corporation
           
 99.3      Form 11-K, Annual Report for the fiscal                To be filed as an amendment of this Annual 
           year ended December 31, 1996 covering the              Report on Form 10-K not later than         
           Thrift Plan for Employees of Murphy Oil                180 days after December 31, 1996            
           USA, Inc. Represented by United
           Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO, Local No.
           8363
           
 99.4      Form 11-K, Annual Report for the fiscal                To be filed as an amendment of this Annual 
           year ended December 31, 1996 covering the              Report on Form 10-K not later than         
           Thrift Plan for Employees of Murphy Oil                180 days after December 31, 1996            
           USA, Inc. Represented by International
           Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO,
           Local No. 305
           
 99.5      Form 11-K, Annual Report for the fiscal                To be filed as an amendment of this Annual 
           year ended December 31, 1996 covering the              Report on Form 10-K not later than        
           Thrift Plan for Hourly Employees of Deltic             180 days after December 31, 1996           
           Farm & Timber Co., Inc.
</TABLE> 

Exhibits other than those listed above have been omitted since they either are
not required or are not applicable.

                                       12

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1


                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                             MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

                          AS AMENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 1986



         MURPHY OIL CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and
by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY:

         FIRST:  The name of the corporation shall be MURPHY OIL CORPORATION
(hereinafter called the "Company").

         SECOND: The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware
is to be located in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of
its registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company, whose address is No. 100
West Tenth Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.

         THIRD: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.

         FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock of all classes which the
Company shall have authority to issue is 80,400,000 shares, of which 400,000
shall be of the par value of $100 each, designated as "Cumulative Preferred
Stock" (hereinafter in this Article Fourth called "Preferred Stock"), and
80,000,000 shall be of the par value of $1.00 each, designated as "Common
Stock".
         No stockholder of the Company shall by reason of his holding shares of
any class have any pre-emptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe to
any shares of any class of the Company, now or hereafter to be authorized, or
any notes, debentures, bonds, or other securities convertible into or carrying
options or warrants to purchase shares of any class, now or hereafter to be
authorized, whether or not the issuance of any such shares, or such notes,
debentures, bonds or other securities, would adversely affect the dividend or
voting rights of such stockholder, other than such rights, if any, as the board
of directors, in its discretion from time to time may grant, and at such prices
as the board of directors in its discretion may fix; and the board of directors
may issue shares of any class of the Company, or any notes, debentures, bonds,
or other securities convertible into or carrying options or warrants to purchase
shares of any class, without offering any such shares of any class, either in
whole or in part, to the existing stockholders of any class.
         The following are the terms and provisions of each class of stock which
the Company shall have authority to issue:

                                   Ex. 3.1-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   SECTION I
                          Cumulative Preferred Stock

         (1) The Preferred Stock may be issued, from time to time, in one or
more series, the shares of each series to have such designations, preferences,
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed
herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such
series, adopted by the board of directors as hereinafter provided.
         (2) Authority is hereby expressly vested in and granted to the board of
directors of the Company, subject to the provisions of this Article Fourth, to
authorize the issue of one or more series of Preferred Stock and with respect to
each such series to fix, by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of
such series, the following:
              (a) the maximum number of shares to constitute such series and the
     distinctive designation thereof;
              (b) the annual dividend rate on the shares of such series and the
     date or dates from which dividends shall be accumulated as herein provided;
              (c) the premium, if any, over and above the par value thereof and
     any accumulated dividends thereon which the holders of such shares of such
     series shall be entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof, which
     premium may vary at different redemption dates and may also be different
     with respect to shares redeemed through the operation of any purchase,
     retirement or sinking fund than with respect to shares otherwise redeemed;
              (d) the premium, if any, over and above the par value thereof and
     any accumulated dividends thereon which the holders of such shares of such
     series shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary liquidation,
     dissolution or winding up of the Company;
              (e) whether or not the shares of such series shall be subject to
     the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund and, if so, the
     extent to and manner in which such purchase, retirement or sinking fund
     shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series
     for retirement or for other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions
     relative to the operation of the said fund or funds;
              (f) whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible
     into or exchangeable for shares of stock of any other class or classes, or
     of any other series of the same class, and if so convertible or
     exchangeable, the price or prices or the rate or rates of conversion or
     exchange and the method, if any, of adjusting the same;
              (g) the limitations and restrictions, if any, to be effective
     while any shares of such series are outstanding, upon the payment of
     dividends or making of other distributions, and upon the purchase,
     redemption or other acquisition by the Company, or any subsidiary, of the
     Preferred Stock, the Common Stock, or any other class or classes of stock
     of the Company ranking on a parity with or junior to the shares of such
     series either as to dividends or upon liquidation;
              (h) the conditions or restrictions, if any, upon the creation of
     indebtedness of the Company or of any subsidiary, or upon the issue of any
     additional stock (including additional shares of such series or of any
     other series or of any other class) ranking on a parity with or prior to
     the shares of such series either as to dividends or upon liquidation; and

                                   Ex. 3.1-2
<PAGE>
 
              (i) any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or
         other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions
         thereof, as shall not be inconsistent with this Article Fourth.
         (3) All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be identical
with each other in all respects, except that shares of any one series issued at
different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be
cumulative; and all series shall rank equally and be identical in all respects,
except as permitted by the foregoing provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Section
I of this Article Fourth.
         (4) Before any dividends (other than dividends payable in Common Stock)
on any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred
Stock as to dividends shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment, the
holders of shares of Preferred Stock of each series shall be entitled to receive
cash dividends, when and as declared by the board of directors, at the annual
rate, and no more, fixed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the board
of directors providing for the issue of such series, payable quarterly in each
year on such dates as may be fixed in such resolution or resolutions, to holders
of record on such respective dates, not exceeding 50 days preceding such
dividend payment dates, as may be determined by the board of directors in
advance of the payment of each particular dividend; provided, however, that the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of each series of Preferred
Stock shall fix the same dates in each year for the payment of quarterly
dividends as are fixed for the payment of quarterly dividends in the resolution
or resolutions providing for the issue of all other series of Preferred Stock at
the time outstanding. With respect to each series of Preferred Stock such
dividends shall be cumulative from the date or dates fixed in the resolution or
resolutions providing for the issue of such series, which dates shall in no
instance be more than 90 days before or after the date of the issuance of the
particular shares of such series then to be issued. No dividends shall be
declared on any series of Preferred Stock in respect of any quarter-yearly
dividend period unless there shall likewise be or have been declared on all
shares of Preferred Stock of each other series at the time outstanding like
dividends ratably in proportion to the respective annual dividend rates fixed
therefor as hereinbefore provided.
         (5) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, before any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company
(whether capital or surplus) shall be made to or set apart for the holders of
any class or classes of stock of the Company ranking junior to the Preferred
Stock upon liquidation, the holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive payment at the rate of $100 per share, plus an amount equal
to all dividends (whether or not earned or declared) accumulated to the date of
final distribution to such holders, and, in addition thereto, if such
liquidation, dissolution or winding up be voluntary, the amount of the premium,
if any, payable upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up as fixed for
the shares of the respective series; but such holders shall not be entitled to
any further payment. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, the assets of the Company, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the
holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the
preferential amount aforesaid, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall
be distributed among such holders ratably in accordance with the respective
amounts which would be payable on such shares if all amounts payable thereon
were paid in full. For the purpose of this Paragraph (5), the voluntary sale,
conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities
or other consideration) of all or substantially all the property or assets of
the

                                   Ex. 3.1-3
<PAGE>
 
Company shall be deemed a voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company, but a consolidation or merger of the Company with one or more other
corporations (whether or not the Company is the corporation surviving such
consolidation or merger) shall not be deemed to be liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, voluntary or involuntary.
         (6) The Company, at the option of the board of directors, may, except
as provided in Paragraph (10) of this Section I of this Article Fourth, redeem
at any time the whole or from time to time any part of the Preferred Stock of
any series at the time outstanding, at the par value thereof, plus in every case
an amount equal to all accumulated dividends with respect to each share so to be
redeemed, and, in addition thereto, the amount of the premium, if any, payable
upon such redemption fixed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the
issue of such series (the total sum so payable on any such redemption being
herein referred to as the "redemption price"). Notice of every such redemption
shall be mailed at least 30 days in advance of the date designated for such
redemption (herein called the "redemption date") to the holders of record of
shares of Preferred Stock so to be redeemed at their respective addresses as the
same shall appear on the books of the Company. In order to facilitate the
redemption of any shares of Preferred Stock that may be chosen for redemption as
provided in this Paragraph (6), the board of directors shall be authorized to
cause the transfer books of the Company to be closed as to such shares at any
time not exceeding 50 days prior to the redemption date. In case of the
redemption of a part only of any series of Preferred Stock at the time
outstanding, the shares of such series so to be redeemed shall be selected by
lot or in such other manner as the board of directors may determine. The board
of directors shall have full power and authority, subject to the limitations and
provisions herein contained, to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which
the Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time.
         (7) If said notice of redemption shall have been given as aforesaid and
if, on or before the redemption date, the funds necessary for such redemption
shall have been set aside by the Company, separate and apart from its other
funds, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares so called
for redemption; then, from and after the redemption date, notwithstanding that
any certificate for shares of Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall not
have been surrendered for cancellation, the shares represented thereby shall not
be deemed outstanding, the right to receive dividends thereon shall cease to
accrue from and after the redemption date and all rights of holders of the
shares of Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall forthwith, after the
redemption date, cease and terminate, excepting only the right to receive the
redemption price therefor but without interest. Any moneys so set aside by the
Company and unclaimed at the end of six years from the date fixed for such
redemption shall revert to the general funds of the Company after which
reversion the holders of such shares so called for redemption shall look only to
the Company for payment of the redemption price, and such shares shall still not
be deemed to be outstanding.
         (8) If, on or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit in
trust, with a bank or trust company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, having a capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000 the funds necessary
for the redemption of the shares of Preferred Stock so called for redemption, to
be applied to the redemption of such shares, and if on or before such date the
Company shall have given notice of redemption as aforesaid or made provision
satisfactory to such bank or trust company for the timely giving thereof, then
from and after the date of such

                                   Ex. 3.1-4
<PAGE>
 
deposit all shares of Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall not be
deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares of
Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease and terminate, excepting
only the right to receive the redemption price therefor, but without interest,
and the right to exercise on or before the date fixed for redemption privileges
of conversion or exchange, if any, not theretofore otherwise expiring. Any funds
so deposited, which shall not be required for such redemption because of the
exercise of any such right of conversion or exchange subsequent to the date of
such deposit, shall be returned to the Company. In case the holders of shares of
Preferred Stock which shall have been called for redemption shall not, within
one year after the redemption date, claim the amount deposited with respect to
the redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay
over to the Company such unclaimed amounts and thereupon such bank or trust
company shall be relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof to such
holder and such holder shall look only to the Company for the payment thereof.
Any interest accrued on funds so deposited shall be paid to the Company from
time to time. Any such unclaimed amounts paid over by any such bank of trust
company to the Company shall, for a period terminating six years after the date
fixed for redemption, be set aside and held by the Company in the manner and
with the same effect as if such unclaimed amounts had been set aside under the
preceding Paragraph (7) of this Section I of this Article Fourth.

         (9) Shares of Preferred Stock which have been retired through the
operation of purchase, retirement or sinking fund, whether by redemption,
purchase or otherwise, shall, upon compliance with any applicable provisions of
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, have the status of
authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock, but shall be reissued only as
part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or
resolutions of the board of directors or as part of any other series of
Preferred Stock the terms of which do not prohibit such reissue, and shall not
be reissued as a part of the series of which they were originally a part. Shares
of Preferred Stock which have been redeemed or purchased, otherwise than through
the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund, or which, if
convertible or exchangeable, have been converted into or exchanged for shares of
stock of any other class or classes ranking junior to the Preferred Stock both
as to dividends and upon liquidation, shall, upon compliance with any applicable
provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, have the
status of authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued
as a part of the series of which they were originally a part (if the terms of
such series do not prohibit such reissue) or as part of a new series of
Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the board of
directors or as part of any other series of Preferred Stock the terms of which
do not prohibit such reissue.

         (10) If at any time the Company shall have failed to pay dividends in
full on the Preferred Stock, thereafter and until dividends in full, including
all accumulated dividends on the Preferred Stock outstanding, shall have been
declared and set apart for payment or paid, (a) the Company, without the
affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in interest of
the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy, either
in writing or by resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose,
the holders of the Preferred Stock, regardless of series, consenting or voting
(as the case may be) separately as a class, shall not redeem less than all the
Preferred Stock at such time outstanding, and (b) neither the Company nor any
subsidiary shall purchase any Preferred Stock except in accordance with a

                                   Ex. 3.1-5
<PAGE>
 
purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the board of
directors) to all holders of Preferred Stock of all series upon such terms as
the board of directors, in their sole discretion after consideration of the
respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of
the respective series, shall determine (which determination shall be final and
conclusive) will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective
series; provided that (i) the Company, to meet the requirements of any purchase,
retirement or sinking fund provisions with respect to any series, may use shares
of such series acquired by it prior to such failure and then held by it as
treasury stock and (ii) nothing shall prevent the Company from completing the
purchase or redemption of shares of Preferred Stock for which a purchase
contract was entered into for any purchase, retirement or sinking fund purposes,
or the notice of redemption of which was initially published, prior to such
default.

         (11) So long as any of the Preferred Stock is outstanding, the Company
will not:

                  (a) Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
         at least 66 2/3% of all the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding,
         given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted
         at a special meeting called for the purpose, the holders of the
         Preferred Stock, regardless of series, consenting or voting (as the
         case may be) separately as a class (i) create any class or classes of
         stock ranking prior to the Preferred Stock, either as dividends or upon
         liquidation, or increase the authorized number of shares of any class
         or classes of stock ranking prior to the Preferred Stock either as to
         dividends or upon liquidation or (ii) amend, alter or repeal any of the
         provisions of this Article Fourth so as adversely to affect the
         preferences, special rights, or powers of the Preferred Stock.

                  (b) Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
         at least 66 2/3% of any series of the Preferred Stock at the time
         outstanding, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by
         resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose, the
         holders of such series of the Preferred Stock consenting or voting (as
         the case may be) separately as a class, amend, alter or repeal any of
         the provisions of the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue
         of such series so as adversely to affect the preferences, special
         rights or powers of the Preferred Stock of such series.

                  (c) Without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of
         at least a majority of all the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding,
         given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted
         at a special meeting called for the purpose, the holders of the
         Preferred Stock, regardless of series, consenting or voting (as the
         case may be) separately as a class (i) increase the authorized amount
         of the Preferred Stock, (ii) create any other class or classes of stock
         ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock either as to dividends or
         upon liquidation, (iii) merge or consolidate with any other
         corporation, other than a wholly owned subsidiary, or (iv) voluntarily
         dissolve. 

         (12) Except as herein or by law expressly provided, the Preferred Stock
shall have no right or power to vote on any question or in any proceeding or to
be represented at or to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders. If,
however, and whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on the Preferred
Stock shall be in default in an aggregate amount equivalent to not less than
four full quarterly dividends on any series of Preferred Stock at the time
outstanding, the outstanding Preferred

                                   Ex. 3.1-6
<PAGE>
 
Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting separately as a class, to elect two
directors of the Company, and the remaining directors shall be elected by the
other class or classes of stock entitled to vote therefor. Whenever such right
of the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have vested, such right may be
exercised initially either at a special meeting of such holders of the Preferred
Stock called as provided in Paragraph (13) of this Section I of this Article
Fourth, or at any annual meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of
electing directors, and thereafter at such annual meetings. The right of the
holders of the Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, to elect members
of the board of directors of the Company as aforesaid shall continue until such
time as all dividends accumulated on the Preferred Stock shall have been paid in
full, at which time the right of the holders of the Preferred Stock to vote and
to be represented at and to receive notice of meetings shall terminate, except
as herein or by law expressly provided, subject to revesting in the event of
each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned.

         (13) At any time when the special voting right shall have vested in the
holders of the Preferred Stock then outstanding as provided in the preceding
Paragraph (12) of this Section I of this Article Fourth, and if such right shall
not already have been initially exercised, a proper officer of the Company
shall, upon the written request of the holders of record of at least 10% in
amount of the Preferred Stock then outstanding, regardless of series, addressed
to the secretary of the Company, call a special meeting of the holders of the
Preferred Stock and of any other class or classes of stock having voting power
with respect thereto, for the purpose of electing directors. Such meeting shall
be held at the earliest practicable date upon the notice required for annual
meetings of stockholders at the place for the holding of annual meetings of
stockholders of the Company. If such meeting shall not be called by the proper
officer of the Company within 20 days after the personal service of such written
request upon the secretary of the Company, or within 20 days after mailing the
same within the United States of America, by registered mail addressed to the
secretary of the Company at its principal office (such mailing to be evidenced
by the registry receipt issued by the postal authorities), then the holders of
record of at least 10% in amount of the Preferred Stock then outstanding,
regardless of series, may designate in writing one of their number to call such
meeting at the expense of the Company, and such meeting may be called by such
person so designated upon the notice required for annual meetings of
stockholders and shall be held at the place for the holding of annual meetings
of stockholders of the Company. Any holder of Preferred Stock so designated
shall have access to the stock books of the Company for the purpose of causing a
meeting of stockholders to be called pursuant to these provisions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph (13), no such special meeting
shall be called during the period within 60 days immediately preceding the date
fixed for the next annual meeting of stockholders.

         (14) At any meeting held for the purpose of electing directors at which
the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the special right, voting
separately as a class, to elect directors as provided in Paragraph (12) of this
Section I of this Article Fourth, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the
holders of 33 1/3% of the Preferred Stock at the time outstanding shall be
required and be sufficient to constitute a quorum of such class for the election
of any director by the holders of the Preferred Stock as a class. At any such
meeting or adjournment thereof, (a) the absence of a quorum of the Preferred
Stock shall not prevent the election of the directors to be elected by the
holders of stock other than the Preferred Stock and the absence of a quorum of
stock

                                   Ex. 3.1-7
<PAGE>
 
other than the Preferred Stock shall not prevent the election of the directors
to be elected by the holders of the Preferred Stock, and (b) in the absence of
such quorum, either of the Preferred Stock or of stock other than the Preferred
Stock, or both, a majority of the holders, present in person or by proxy, of the
class or classes of stock which lack a quorum shall have power to adjourn the
meeting for the election of directors whom they are entitled to elect, from time
to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum
shall be present.

         (15) The term of office of all directors in office at any time when
voting power shall, as aforesaid, be vested in the holders of the Preferred
Stock shall terminate upon the election of any new directors at any meeting of
stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors. Upon any termination
of the right of the holders of the Preferred Stock to vote for directors as
herein provided, the term of office of all directors then in office shall
terminate upon the election of new directors at a meeting of the other class or
classes of stock of the Company then entitled to vote for directors, which
meeting may be held at any time after such termination of voting right in the
holders of the Preferred Stock, upon notice as above provided, and shall be
called by the secretary of the Company upon written request of the holders of
record of 10% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of such other class
or classes of stock then entitled to vote for directors.

         (16) If in any case the amounts payable with respect to any
requirements to retire shares of the Preferred Stock are not paid in full in the
case of all series with respect to which such requirements exist, the number of
shares to be retired in each series shall be in proportion to the respective
amounts which would be payable on account of such requirements if all amounts
payable were met in full.

         (17) Whenever, at any time, full cumulative dividends as aforesaid for
all past dividend periods and for the current dividend period shall have been
paid or declared and set apart for payment on the then outstanding Preferred
Stock, and after complying with all the provisions with respect to any purchase,
retirement or sinking fund or funds for any one or more series of Preferred
Stock, the board of directors may, subject to the provisions hereof with respect
to the payment of dividends on any other class or classes of stock, declare
dividends on any such other class or classes of stock ranking junior to the
Preferred Stock as to dividends subject to the respective terms and provisions,
if any, applying thereto, and the Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share
therein.

         Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after
payment shall have been made in full to the Preferred Stock as provided in
Paragraph (5) of this Section I, of this Article Fourth, but not prior thereto,
any other class or classes of stock ranking junior to the Preferred Stock upon
liquidation shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions, if any,
applying thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid
or distributed, and the Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to share therein.

         (18) For the purposes of this Section I of this Article Fourth or of
any resolution of the board of directors providing for the issue of any series
of Preferred Stock or of any certificate filed with the Secretary of State of
Delaware (unless otherwise provided in any such resolution or certificate):

                  (a) The amount of dividends "accumulated" on any share of
         Preferred Stock of any series as at any quarterly dividend date shall
         be deemed to be the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated thereon
         to and including such quarterly dividend date, whether or not earned or
         declared, and the amount of

                                   Ex. 3.1-8
<PAGE>
 
         dividends "accumulated" on any share of Preferred Stock of any series
         as at any date other than a quarterly dividend date shall be calculated
         as the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated thereon to and
         including the last preceding quarterly dividend date, whether or not
         earned or declared, plus an amount equivalent to interest on the par
         value of such shares at the annual dividend rate fixed for the shares
         of such series for the period after such last preceding quarterly
         dividend date to and including the date as of which the calculation is
         made.
                  (b) Any class or classes of stock of the Company shall be
         deemed to rank
                           (i) prior to the Preferred Stock either as to
                  dividends or upon liquidation if the holders of such class or
                  classes shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of
                  amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
                  up, as the case may be, in preference or priority to the
                  holders of the Preferred Stock;

                           (ii) on a parity with the Preferred Stock either as
                  to dividends or upon liquidation, whether or not the dividend
                  rates, dividend payment dates, or redemption or liquidation
                  prices per share thereof be different from those of the
                  Preferred Stock, if the holders of such class or classes of
                  stock shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of
                  amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
                  up, as the case may be, in proportion to their respective
                  dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference or
                  priority one over the other with respect to the holders of the
                  Preferred Stock;

                           (iii) junior to the Preferred Stock either as to
                  dividends or upon liquidation if the rights of the holders of
                  such class or classes shall be subject or subordinate to the
                  rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock in respect of the
                  receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon
                  liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be.

         (19) So long as any shares of Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, the
Preferred Stock shall be deemed to rank prior to the Common Stock as to
dividends and upon liquidation.

                                  SECTION II
                                 Common Stock

         Except as herein or by law expressly provided, each holder of Common
Stock shall have the right, to the exclusion of all other classes of stock, to
one vote for each share of stock standing in the name of such holder on the
books of the Company.

         FIFTH:  The minimum amount of capital with which the Company will
commence business is $1,000.

                                   Ex. 3.1-9
<PAGE>
 
         SIXTH: The name and place of residence of each of the incorporators is
as follows:

          Name                                   Residence
          ----                                   ---------
   J. A. O'Connor, Jr.                    510 East Faulkner Street
                                          El Dorado, Arkansas

    Jerry W. Watkins                      1007 Brookwood Drive
                                          El Dorado, Arkansas

     Wilma B. Meek                        Calion, Arkansas

         SEVENTH:  The existence of the Company is to be perpetual.

         EIGHTH: The private property of the stockholders shall not be subject
to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatsoever.

         NINTH: The number of directors of the Company shall be such as from
time to time shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws, but
shall not be less than three. Election of directors need not be by ballot unless
the bylaws so provide. In furtherance, and not in limitation of the powers
conferred by law, the board of directors is expressly authorized

         (a) To make, alter or repeal the bylaws of the Company; to set apart
out of any of the funds of the Company available for dividends a reserve or
reserves for any proper purpose and to abolish any such reserve in the manner in
which it was created; to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens
upon any part of the property of the Company provided it be less than
substantially all; to determine whether any, and if any, what part, of the
annual net profits of the Company or of its net assets in excess of its capital
shall be declared as dividends and paid to the stockholders, and to direct and
determine the use and disposition of any such annual net profits or net assets
in excess of capital.

         (b) By resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, to designate
one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the
directors of the Company, which, to the extent provided in the resolution or in
the bylaws of the Company, shall have and may exercise the powers of the board
of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and
may authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers which may
require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be
stated in the bylaws of the Company or as may be determined from time to time by
resolution adopted by the board of directors.

         (c) When and as authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the stock issued and outstanding having voting power given at a
stockholders' meeting duly called for that purpose, or when authorized by the
written consent of the holders of a majority of the voting stock issued and
outstanding, to sell, lease or exchange all of the property and assets of the
Company, including its good will and its corporate franchises, upon such terms
and conditions and for such consideration, which may be in whole or in part
shares of stock in, and/or other securities of, any other corporation or
corporations, as its board of directors shall deem expedient and for the best
interests of the Company.


                                  Ex. 3.1-10
<PAGE>
 
         (d) To establish bonus, profit sharing, stock option, retirement or
other types of incentive or compensation plans for the employees (including
officers and directors) of the Company and to fix the amount of the annual
profits to be distributed or shared and to determine the persons to participate
in any such plans and the amount of their respective participations.

         (e) To determine from time to time whether, and to what extent, and at
what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts
and books of the Company (other than the stock ledger) or any of them, shall be
open to the inspection of the stockholders.

         TENTH: The stockholders and board of directors shall have power, if the
bylaws so provide, to hold their meetings and to keep the books of the Company
(except such as are required by the law of the State of Delaware to be kept in
Delaware) and documents and papers of the Company outside the State of Delaware.

         ELEVENTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary
way of this corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof, or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under
the provisions of section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the
application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed
for this corporation under the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the
Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of
the stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may
be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in
number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of
creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of this corporation as consequence of such compromise or
arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization
shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,
be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders, of this corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this corporation.

         TWELFTH: No contract or other transaction between the Company and any
other corporation and no other act of the Company with relation to any other
corporation shall, in the absence of fraud, in any way be invalidated or
otherwise affected by the fact that any one or more of the directors of the
Company are pecuniarily or otherwise interested in, or are directors or officers
of, such other corporation. Any director of the Company individually, or any
firm or association of which any director may be a member, may be a party to, or
may be pecuniarily or otherwise interested in, any contract or transaction of
the Company, provided that the fact that he individually or as a member of such
firm or association is such a party or so interested and the extent of such
interest shall be disclosed or shall have been known to a majority of the whole
board of directors present at any meeting of the board of directors at which
action upon such contract or transaction shall be taken; and any director of the
Company who is also a director or officer of such other corporation or who is
such a party or so interested may be counted in determining the existence of

                                  Ex. 3.1-11
<PAGE>
 
a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors which shall authorize any such
contract or transaction, and may vote thereat to authorize any such contract or
transaction, with like force and effect as if he were not such director or
officer of such other corporation or not so interested. Any director of the
Company may vote upon any contract or other transaction between the Company and
any subsidiary or affiliated corporation without regard to the fact that he is
also a director of such subsidiary or affiliated corporation.

         THIRTEENTH: Each officer, director, or member of any committee
designated by the board of directors shall, in the performance of his duties, be
fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports
made to the Company by any of its officials or by an independent certified
public accountant or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the board
of directors or by any such committee or in relying in good faith upon other
records of the Company.

         FOURTEENTH: A director of the Company shall not be personally liable to
the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the
same exists or hereafter may be amended, or (iv) for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit. This Article shall not
eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring
prior to the effective date of the Amendment adding this Article to the
Certificate of Incorporation. Any repeal or modification of this Article by the
stockholders of the Company shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely
affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Company
existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

         FIFTEENTH: The Company hereby reserves the right to amend, alter,
change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in
the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights and powers
conferred herein on stockholders, directors and officers are subject to this
reserved power.


                                  Ex. 3.1-12

<PAGE>
                                                        EXHIBIT 13 FOR 1996 10-K

LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]


    "All of us at Murphy Oil know that we have an obligation to increase
shareholder value by profitably finding and producing oil and gas. We also know
that we must secure the shareholders' and Murphy's future by managing the
Company's environmental, regulatory, and civic responsibilities in a manner that
earns respect and expands options.

    "We met both of those obligations in 1996, and as a result the news is good.
As we move confidently into 1997, an active exploration program is under way,
production is up and headed higher, while production costs are low and headed
lower. In short, we are very pleased with the Company's 1996 performance and are
excited about the future. I am delighted that we can share this success with all
of our loyal shareholders."
                                                       Claiborne P. Deming



DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDER:

    Murphy Oil Corporation earned $103.8 million, $2.31 a share, from continuing
operating activities in 1996. When discontinued operations are included, which
provides a better historical perspective, income rises to $117.8 million, $2.62
a share. Special items, primarily the sale of high-cost onshore producing
properties, brought the total for the year to $137.9 million, $3.07 a share.
This performance compares to $33.4 million, $.75 a share, of operating income
and a net loss, after special items, of $118.6 million, $2.64 a share, in 1995.
This is clearly a turnaround, but the numbers, while indicative, do not reveal
the whole story. Our Company changed during 1996 and changed for the better.

    Naturally, the most far-reaching event during the year was the spin-off of
the Company's timber, farm, and real estate operations to Murphy's shareholders.
The tremendous and surging value of our extensive southern pine forests was
simply not being realized. In essence, the Company had a fine timber company
hidden within its oil and gas assets. Treating shareholders as business
partners, we distributed these assets so that each shareholder received a
separately traded, market-valued security that can be held or sold depending
upon individual preference.

    Perhaps the most quietly significant event in 1996 was the continued
successful evolution of our exploration efforts. Your Company exposed $109.6
million in exploratory drilling capital and only recorded $28.5 million in dry
hole costs. Meaningful discoveries were made in the Gulf of Mexico at West
Cameron Block 631 (60%), West Cameron Block 521 (50%), Eugene Island Block 322
(50%), and Destin Dome Block 57 (33%). In addition, the Company's second well in
Block 04/36 (45%) Bohai Bay, China tested at a combined rate in excess of 6,000
barrels of oil a day from two zones. A delineation well is now drilling, and a

2
<PAGE>
 
second delineation well is planned later in 1997.

    Our goal is to turn our exploration and production efforts into a
"prospect-generating machine." Whereas once we were known more as a "long-ball
hitter," our explorers now generate prospects across the entire risk and size
spectrum--low, medium, and high. Success no longer depends upon the outcome of
any one well, rather we drill a large number of exploratory wells incorporating
the latest technology and thus spreading and concurrently lessening risk. The
exploration program, not its component parts, becomes the investment vehicle.

     Murphy has a natural advantage in this endeavor. The bulk of our drilling
funds are invested in three of the premier oil and natural gas basins in the
world--the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the Canadian Western Sedimentary Basin, and
the U.K. Outer Continental Shelf. The combination of prospectivity, attractive
fiscal regime, and established infrastructure makes each of these areas the
industry's preferred geography. No other oil and gas company in our "weight-
class" has this spread and can truly call these three prolific basins "core
areas," and this position is complemented by our emerging core area, offshore
eastern Canada, where the Hibernia and Terra Nova projects provide opportunities
for follow-on exploration. Further depth and breadth is added by an expanded
international frontier program. Tranche A (25%) in the North Falklands Basin,
offshore the Falkland Islands, was acquired and seismic operations are under
way. Other foreign concessions are close to the signing stage.

     One of the more robust production profiles in the oil and gas business
provides our Company with the source for future cash flow and growth. Due to a
combination of discoveries and well-timed acquisitions, our Company's production
increases each year through the turn of the century. What are the sources of the
new production? The bulk of the increase in 1997 comes from the aforementioned
Gulf of Mexico discoveries in addition to Phase II start-up of the deepwater gas
field Tahoe (30%). The counter-cyclical acquisition in 1993 of the
615-million-barrel Hibernia field (6.5%) begins paying dividends in 1998. The
field starts up in the fourth quarter of 1997 and ramps up throughout 1998
before reaching its 135,000-barrel-a-day plateau in 1999. Also in 1998, two
low-cost U.K. oil discoveries--Schiehallion (5.9%), West of the Shetland
Islands, and Mungo/Monan (12.7%), in the Central Graben--commence production
and reach plateau rates in 1999. The Terra Nova field (12%), 20 miles from
Hibernia, should receive project sanction in 1997. First oil will flow no later
than 2001.

    Equally as important as the increase in production volume is the reduced
cost of Murphy's production mix. From a 1995 base of $8.60 a barrel of combined
capital and operating costs in the U.S., 1996 dropped to $7.70, and 1997 is
forecast to be $6.80. Worldwide, the numbers are a bit higher because we are
more of an oil company outside the U.S. and oil is more expensive to produce.
Nonetheless, from a 1995 base of $9.70 a barrel, 1996 declined to $9.35, and
1997 is forecast to be $8.65. In other words, as production for our Company
increases, costs are coming down.

    Downstream continues to be a subpar performer. Operationally, the individual
refining and marketing systems performed well in 1996, with refining units
recording a composite 98-percent onstream time, but the market did not provide
an adequate return on capital employed. Measures are being taken. First,
however, I will review one that did not work. We announced in November 1996 a
proposed merger of our U.K. downstream assets with those of Elf and Chevron into
a new, independent company. Simply put, once we got "inside" the new company, we
regretfully concluded that the benefits provided by the larger entity did not
outweigh the advantages of our low-cost, efficient, and currently profitable
system. Although realizing, after this exercise, the relative strength of our
operation, I nonetheless remain convinced that the U.K. market is changed and we
must change with it. Our tactical execution is altered, but not the strategy.

     U.S. downstream operations, although not faced with the same intense
pressure as experienced in the U.K., are similarly competing in difficult market
conditions. Obviously, management is looking at all possible means to achieve an
acceptable level of return on capital for this business segment. A step was
taken in this direction by entering into a project to construct high-volume
gasoline stations on or near Wal-Mart sites. Both Murphy and Wal-Mart intend to
evaluate the project during 1997.

    Murphy is focused on providing value to our shareholders both by increasing
future cash flow streams from operations and taking the appropriate structural
steps. The actions taken in 1996 indicate the lengths we will go to deliver on
this goal. As we move confidently into 1997, an active exploration program is
under way, production is up and headed higher, and production costs are low and
headed lower.

     On a more personal note, Director Emeritus John W. Deming, who was
associated with the Company for 46 years, died in 1996. He is missed.

     As always, your continued support is appreciated.


/s/ Claiborne P. Deming

Claiborne P. Deming
President and Chief Executive Officer

March 13, 1997
El Dorado, Arkansas

                                                                               3
<PAGE>


EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


MURPHY WORLDWIDE

 . Core areas are the Gulf of Mexico, Canada and the U.K.

 . Increasing U.S. natural gas production--30-percent growth projected for 1997

 . Increasing worldwide oil production--34,000 barrels a day added by 2000

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Thousands of dollars)                             1996                 1995

<S>                                           <C>                      <C> 
Income contribution* ......................    $   101,831               29,506 
    United States .........................         50,384                4,841
    International .........................         51,447               24,665 
                                                                               
Total assets ..............................      1,347,425            1,149,433 
    United States .........................        400,964              317,422 
    International .........................        946,461              832,011 
                                                                               
Capital expenditures ......................        373,984              231,718 
    United States .........................        184,651               71,186 
    International .........................        189,333              160,532
                                                                               
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil and liquids                                                          
  produced -                                       
  barrels a day ...........................         53,210               57,015
    United States .........................         11,645               13,736
    International .........................         41,565               43,279
                                                                               
Natural gas sold -                                                             
  MCF a day ...............................        220,633              251,726 
    United States .........................        155,017              189,250 
    International .........................         65,616               62,476
</TABLE> 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Before special items.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Murphy is engaged in exploration and production operations throughout the
world. Operations in the U.S. are centered in the Gulf of Mexico, where the
Company is a significant operator and where new production is expected to result
in a 30-percent increase in U.S. natural gas production in 1997. The Company
also explores for and produces light oil, heavy oil, and natural gas in western
Canada, with a substantial ownership of heavy oil reserves providing an
important source of the Company's growing crude oil production profile. Murphy's
Canadian activities also include an interest in the world's largest synthetic
crude oil operation and interests in two oil fields under development offshore
eastern Canada--Hibernia and Terra Nova--that will add significant new oil
production over the next several years. The Company has long been active in the
U.K. North Sea, and oil production there is set to double by the end of 1998
when the Mungo/Monan and Schiehallion fields are placed on stream. The Company
also has producing properties in Ecuador and conducts an ongoing exploration
program in other parts of the world, with offshore China and the Falkland
Islands currently among the areas of particular interest.

    The Company's exploration and production activities contributed earnings
before special items of $101.8 million in 1996, or 88 percent of total Company
earnings from operating segments, compared to $29.5 million a year ago. The
increase was due primarily to a 59-percent increase in the average sales price
for U.S. natural gas to $2.60 an MCF, one of the highest in the industry, and
higher crude oil prices worldwide. Partial offsets were lower crude oil and
natural gas production. Production of crude oil and liquids decreased seven
percent to 53,210 barrels a day, and natural gas sales declined 12 percent to
220.6 million cubic feet a day. The decline in natural gas sales was primarily
in the U.S., where new production from recent discoveries is expected to boost
1997 production to over 200 million cubic feet a day. On an energy equivalent
basis, the Company's 1996 production totaled 89,982 barrels a day.

    The combination of increasing natural gas production and cost-reduction
efforts, including a sale of 48 high-cost onshore producing properties during
1996, is expected to reduce the Company's per-barrel U.S. extraction

4
<PAGE>
 
costs (production costs and depreciation, depletion, and amortization) by 12
percent in 1997 following an 11-percent reduction in 1996. 

     Capital expenditures for exploration and production totaled $374 million in
1996 compared to $231.7 million in 1995, and accounted for nearly 90 percent of
the Company's total capital expenditures for the year. Exploration expenditures
increased 115 percent, reflecting increased activity in the Gulf of Mexico,
Canada, and the U.K. Development expenditures were up 42 percent primarily due
to higher levels of spending on projects that will contribute to the new
production of natural gas commencing in 1997 and crude oil beginning in 1998.

    Capital expenditures for exploration and production activities are budgeted
to increase another eight percent in 1997, reflecting the Company's belief that
this segment of our business represents the best opportunity for extraordinary
growth. Murphy's exploration efforts are focused on those areas where we have
established production and a technology-driven data base, and emphasize a
risk-balanced program that includes prospects having the potential for
significant reserve additions. The Company also has a growing international
frontier program under way that seeks to identify and acquire high-interest
ownership positions in quality prospects early in the exploration cycle of
emerging basins.

    As shown in the schedules on page 45, proved reserves of crude oil and
liquids increased 1 million barrels in 1996, and natural gas reserves increased
16.6 billion cubic feet. Reserve additions in the U.S. totaled 4.5 million
barrels of oil and 104.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Sale of reserves in
the U.S. represents the onshore property disposition. In the U.K., approval to
develop the Schiehallion field added 14.5 million barrels of oil. On an energy
equivalent basis, Murphy's reserves totaled 337.6 million barrels at the end of
1996 compared to 333.8 million barrels at year-end 1995.

    A review geographically of the Company's principal exploration and
production activities is presented in the sections that follow. The Company's
working interest percentage is shown, generally following the name of each field
or block, and unless otherwise indicated, average daily production rates are net
to the Company after deduction for royalty interests. The terms crude oil
production and oil production include natural gas liquids where applicable.

[GRAPH--INCOME CONTRIBUTION--EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION]

[GRAPH--CAPITAL EXPENDITURES--EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION]

[GRAPH--NET HYDROCARBONS PRODUCTION]

                                                                       5
<PAGE>

UNITED STATES

 . Highly successful 1996 exploration program

 . Discoveries to boost natural gas production to record levels in 1997

 . Declining cost structure

    Average U.S. crude oil production totaled 11,645 barrels a day in 1996, down
15 percent from 1995, and natural gas production totaled 155 million cubic feet
a day, a decrease of 18 percent from a year ago. The onshore property sale
accounted for nearly all of the decline in oil production and about 20 percent
of the decrease in natural gas sales. The remainder was due to normal production
declines in several of the Company's older fields. New drilling in existing
fields provided a partial offset.

    The Gulf of Mexico is the Company's principal area of interest in the U.S.,
and 1996 was highlighted by successful infield drilling programs on certain
producing properties and a high rate of success in exploratory drilling.

    An infield drilling program based on 3-D seismic data in South Timbalier
Block 63 (100%), one of the Company's principal producing properties, resulted
in six well completions during 1996. Another well was completed and placed on
stream shortly after year-end, and additional drilling is planned for 1997. In
the Ship Shoal Block 222 field (40-44.4%), another infield drilling program
based on 3-D seismic data led to drilling four successful wells during 1996, and
additional drilling is also planned for 1997.

    The field declines in 1996 were primarily at Ship Shoal Block 113A (100%)
and Viosca Knoll Blocks 203 and 204 (66.7%). While further modest declines in
these fields are likely in 1997, the Company's current projects will push 1997
U.S. natural gas production into record territory. Infield drilling programs and
new production from discoveries in Mobile Block 863 (11.5%), West Cameron Block 
521 (50%), and

[GULF OF MEXICO MAP]

                                                                               6
<PAGE>
 
Eugene Island Block 322 (50%) will make important contributions, but the most
significant sources of the new U.S. production in the near-term are Viosca Knoll
Block 783 (30%) and West Cameron Block 631 (60%).

    Viosca Knoll Block 783, known as the Tahoe field, is located in 1,500 feet
of water and its subsea development is being accomplished in phases. Overall
performance of the first phase, which came on stream in early 1994, has been
excellent, and development of the second phase commenced in the fourth quarter
of 1995. A horizontal well drilled in 1995 was completed and placed on stream in
August 1996. Three additional horizontal wells have been drilled and are
currently being completed, with full production from the second phase expected
in April 1997. Natural gas production from the field is expected to reach 40
million cubic feet a day in the second quarter of 1997 compared to eight million
in 1996.

    In West Cameron Block 631, a December 1995 discovery well was followed by a
second discovery in early 1996. Platform construction and upgrading of an
existing processing facility to handle gross natural gas production of 200
million cubic feet a day was completed by the end of 1996, and the two wells
were placed on stream in February 1997. A third well to capture updip reserves
and to test deeper objectives is scheduled for the first quarter of 1997, and
other prospects on the block will be tested later in the year. Production from
this field is expected to average over 40 million cubic feet a day by the end of
the second quarter of 1997.

   Production at Mobile Block 863 and West Cameron Block 521 is expected to 
commence in the first quarter of 1997.

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

                                                                              7
<PAGE>
 
[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

[GRAPH--NET CRUDE OIL AND NGL PRODUCTION]

[GRAPH--NATURAL GAS SALES]

Initial combined production rates are projected at 10 million cubic feet a day.
Development of two gas wells drilled during 1996 in Eugene Island Block 322 was
in progress in early 1997, with first production scheduled for the second
quarter at a rate of 11 million cubic feet a day. An oil discovery in the
adjacent Eugene Island Block 323 (50%) will require further evaluation.
Additional prospects on Block 323 are also scheduled for testing in 1997.

    Other exploratory drilling of interest during 1996 included a well drilled
on the Destin Dome Block 56 unit (33%), which includes 11 leases covering 63,360
acres located approximately 40 miles south of Pensacola, Florida. Two wells
drilled in prior years have proven an accumulation of natural gas reserves in
the Norphlet formation, and 64 billion cubic feet of natural gas attributable to
these wells are included in the Company's reserves. The 1996 well was drilled to
further delineate the unit's reserve potential and encountered 236 feet of
natural gas in excellent reservoir quality Norphlet sandstone that tested at a
gross rate of 41 million cubic feet a day. Further reserve additions await
approval of a development plan, which was filed in November 1996.

    Successful exploratory wells were also drilled on Ship Shoal Block 239 (20%)
and Vermilion Block 216 (37.5%), while unsuccessful wells were drilled on
Matagorda Island Block 567 (100%) and West Cameron Block 603 (75%). Murphy
participated in the two 1996 federal lease sales held in the Gulf of Mexico and
acquired 75- to 100-percent interests in 20 blocks. Eight of the blocks, which
cover four prospects, are in water depths ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet.

8
<PAGE>
 
CANADA

 . Hibernia and Terra Nova to add 20,000 barrels a day of new oil production

 . Increasing heavy oil production through use of thermal technology

 . Long-life production provided by ownership in Syncrude


    Canada is the Company's largest source of crude oil production, and
development projects under way will provide significant new production during
the next several years. Murphy's Canadian oil production, which is currently all
from western Canada, totaled 22,296 barrels a day in 1996, effectively unchanged
from a year ago. Light oil production decreased 13 percent to 4,463 barrels a
day, while heavy oil increased nine percent to 9,670 barrels a day. The increase
in heavy oil production was due primarily to an aggressive drilling program in
the Company-operated Cactus Lake, Lindbergh, and Senlac areas. Although gross
production of synthetic crude oil was essentially the same as a year ago, net
volumes to the Company were down eight percent to 8,163 barrels a day due to an
increase in net profit royalties caused by higher oil prices. Natural gas
production of 43 million cubic feet a day was up five percent from a year ago.
The 1996 production volumes for both heavy oil and natural gas were Company
records.

    The Company conducted an active development program in 1996, with primary
emphasis placed on heavy oil and natural gas. Development of the Company's
substantial heavy oil reserve base is expected to continue to add incremental
production through use of various thermal technologies. Thermal projects are
yielding higher production rates per well-stream and enhanced recovery rates of 
reserves in place.

[MAP OF WESTERN CANADA]

                                                                              9
<PAGE>
 
[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

    Murphy's exploration program in Canada during 1996 also focused on heavy oil
and natural gas, and included seven successful heavy oil wells and six
successful natural gas wells. Exploratory drilling in 1997 will include wells
in the Foothills prospects of northeastern British Columbia and in the Northwest
Territories.

    The Company's synthetic crude oil production results from a five-percent
interest in the Syncrude project, the world's largest oil sands mining and
upgrading operation. This project, which is located in the province of Alberta
in the Athabasca oil sands area near Fort McMurray, is Canada's largest single
source of crude oil. Syncrude combines the technologies of mining, extraction,
and upgrading to convert oil sands into synthetic crude oil. During 1996, the
Syncrude owners approved development of the North mine, which will replace the
east side of the Base mine by 1999. The increased bitumen production from the
mine will support a project to increase plant capacity to 81 million barrels of
synthetic crude oil a year, up from 74 million of current capacity. New
technology utilizing truck and shovel mining and hydrotransport will contribute
to the continuing downward trend in Syncrude's operating costs. In addition,
regulatory applications were filed in 1996 to develop the new Aurora mine, which
will provide a rich source of bitumen to replace the west side of the Base mine
starting in 2001. This will permit further plant expansion to 94 million barrels
of synthetic crude oil a year.

    In addition to operations in western Canada, the Company also has interests



10
<PAGE>
 
in the two oil fields currently under development in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin off
the eastern coast of Canada. Construction of production facilities for the
Hibernia oil field (6.5%) continued throughout 1996. First production from this
field is expected to occur in late 1997, with a seven-year peak production
plateau of 135,000 gross barrels of oil a day reached in 1999. Gross recoverable
reserves are estimated to be 615 million barrels. The central production
facility for the Hibernia field is a Gravity Base Structure (GBS)--the first to
be constructed to resist the impact of an iceberg. During 1996, construction of
the GBS and hookup of the topside modules were completed. Mating of the GBS and
topsides occurred in early 1997, and tow-out of the completed structure is
scheduled for the summer of 1997. In June 1996, the owners of the Terra Nova oil
field (12%), located approximately 20 miles southeast of Hibernia, submitted a
Development Plan Application for the field. Development of the field will be
accomplished through utilization of floating production system technology with
"ice-avoidance" criteria, rather than the "ice-resistance" criteria used for the
GBS at Hibernia. Gross recoverable reserves for Terra Nova are estimated to be
between 300 and 400 million barrels of oil. Project sanction is expected in
1997, and first production could be as early as 1999, with a five-year peak
production plateau of 100,000 gross barrels a day reached a year later. The
Company also has a 25-percent interest in a 34,000-acre exploration license
located between Hibernia and Terra Nova, and a 3-D seismic survey is planned for
1997.

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

[MAP OF OFFSHORE EASTERN CANADA]

                                                                              11
<PAGE>
 
UNITED KINGDOM

 . Ninian and "T" Block produce over 13,000 barrels of oil a day

 . Mungo/Monan and Schiehallion fields will add another 14,000 barrels a day

    The Company's U.K. operations continued to be an important source of our
crude oil production during 1996, and as in Canada, development projects are
under way that will result in significant new additions to the Company's
production profile.

    At the Ninian field (13.8%), crude oil production averaged 5,969 barrels of
oil a day in 1996 compared to 6,784 barrels in 1995. Production from "T" Block
(11.3%) averaged 7,056 barrels of oil a day in 1996 compared with 8,172 barrels
in 1995. "T" Block is being developed in phases, and production from the second
phase commenced in 1996 from two wells. A third well was being drilled at
year-end, and two additional wells are planned for 1997.

    The Company also produces natural gas from the Amethyst field (7.4%), and in
1996 production averaged 14.7 million cubic feet a day compared to 10.7 million
in 1995. Development of a 1995 discovery in the nearby Flowers South area is
planned for 1997.

    The Company's new U.K. production will come from the Mungo/Monan fields
(12.7%) and the Schiehallion field (5.9%), and at its peak will add over 14,000
barrels a day to the Company's crude oil production. The Mungo/Monan fields are
being developed jointly with five other oil and gas fields as part of the
Eastern Trough Area Project. First production is expected by mid-1998, with peak
gross production estimated at 68,000 barrels of oil a day in 1999. Formal U.K.
government approval for development of the Schiehallion field was received in
April 1996. Construction of a floating production storage and offloading vessel
began prior to sanction and was ongoing at year-end. Development drilling began
in October 1996 and is planned to continue well beyond first production, which
is also expected by mid-1998. Peak gross production rates in excess of 100,000
barrels of oil a day are expected in 1999. 

[UNITED KINGDOM MAP]

12
<PAGE>
 
OTHER INTERNATIONAL

 . Delineation of oil fields in Ecuador completed in 1996

 . Oil discovered on Block 04/36 in Bohai Bay, China

 . International frontier program added new concessions

    The Company had a 20-percent interest in risk-service contracts covering
Block 16 and the Tivacuno field in Ecuador. At the insistence of the Ecuadoran
government, the risk-service contracts have been converted into production-
sharing contracts effective January 1, 1997. The risk-service contracts allowed
for cost recovery before any government revenue-sharing. Under the new
contracts, the government takes a share of production before any cost recovery,
based on percentages that vary with the level of production. During 1996, all
remaining fields in Block 16 were brought on stream, and delineation drilling of
all fields is now completed. Infield drilling will continue throughout 1997.
Construction at the Southern Production Facilities, which had been deferred, has
resumed with completion expected in early 1998. The Company's share of
production from Ecuador averaged 6,005 barrels of oil a day in 1996 compared to
5,274 barrels in 1995. Current field deliverability exceeds 40,000 barrels a
day, but guaranteed export pipeline capacity is not always available for volumes
exceeding 33,000 barrels a day.

    In China, Murphy participated in a well that discovered oil on Block 04/36
(45%) in Bohai Bay. The well tested at a combined gross rate in excess of 6,000
barrels of oil a day from two zones below 11,000 feet. Two appraisal wells are
scheduled to be drilled in 1997, the first of which was spudded in January.
Seismic activity, which is currently being conducted on other structures on the
block, will likely result in further exploratory drilling.

    During 1996, the Company acquired a 25-percent interest in six contiguous
blocks covering over 400,000 acres in an unexplored sedimentary basin north of
the Falkland Islands. The work commitment consists of a 2-D seismic program,
which has commenced, and the drilling of two exploratory wells. Offshore
Northwest Ireland, a new 2-D seismic survey was acquired in 1996 over License
5/94 (25%), which consists of an 11-block area covering 650,000 acres. The
seismic data is being evaluated to identify future exploratory drilling
locations along this Atlantic Margin frontier play.

    In early 1997, the Company also obtained a 35-percent working interest in
two exploration permits covering 345,000 acres off the north coast of Spain,
Fragata East and Fragata West. A 3-D seismic program is planned on this new
acreage in 1997.

[CHINA MAP]

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MURPHY WORLDWIDE

 . Operations conducted in the U.S., U.K. and Canada

 . Structural change under way in the industry

 . Murphy will participate where enhanced returns on assets can be obtained

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     REFINING, MARKETING & TRANSPORTATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Thousands of dollars)                                1996              1995  
<S>                                              <C>                <C> 
Income contribution*.......................      $   14,102             2,052  
    United States .........................           1,773            (3,767)  
    International .........................          12,329             5,819  
                                                                              
Total assets ..............................         739,072           680,315 
    United States .........................         503,791           494,577 
    International .........................         235,281           185,738 
                                                                              
Capital expenditures ......................          42,880            53,602  
    United States .........................          20,868            27,565   
    International .........................          22,012            26,037  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crude oil processed -                                                         
  barrels a day ...........................         157,886           155,503
    United States .........................         126,586           125,157
    International .........................          31,300            30,346   
                                                                              
Products sold -                                                               
  barrels a day ...........................         169,973           161,911 
    United States .........................         136,104           130,394 
    International .........................          33,869            31,517   
                                                                              
Average gross                                                                 
  margin on products                                                          
  sold - dollars a barrel                                                     
    United States .........................      $      .25               .46
    United Kingdom ........................            2.08              2.26 
</TABLE> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Before special items.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Murphy has downstream operations in the United States, the United Kingdom,
and Canada. In the U.S., operations are conducted in two separate regions. In
the southeastern region of the U.S., generally referred to as the Gulf Coast
market, a 100,000-barrel-a-day refinery at Meraux, Louisiana produces petroleum
products for distribution in an 11-state marketing area that stretches from
Louisiana to Virginia. Operations in the upper-Midwest include a 35,000-
barrel-a-day refinery at Superior, Wisconsin and a marketing system that covers
a six-state area. Operations in the U.K. include a 30-percent interest in a
108,000-barrel-a-day refinery at Milford Haven, Wales and a marketing area that
covers most of England and part of southern Wales. Murphy also has ownership
interests in four crude oil pipeline systems in western Canada, including two
systems that supply Canadian crude oil to connecting lines at the U.S. border.

    As was the case a year ago, 1996 was a difficult year for refining and
marketing companies operating in the U.S. and Europe, and Murphy was no
exception. In the U.S., the Company's downstream operations reported earnings of
$1.8 million in 1996 compared to a loss of $3.8 million in 1995. The current
year included a $9.2 million after-tax benefit related to crude oil swap
agreements. Operations in the U.K. earned $6.2 million in 1996 compared to $.3
million a year ago. The earnings contribution from Canadian operations totaled
$6.1 million in 1996 compared to $5.5 million in 1995.

    While disappointing, the continuation of the difficult operating environment
did serve to quicken the pace of structural change in the industry, as numerous
consolidations and alliances were announced during 1996. Murphy participated in
the change by reaching agreement with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Wal-Mart) to
construct service stations on property leased from Wal-Mart, exploring an
innovative method of supplying gasoline to customers.

14
<PAGE>
 
    Murphy is committed to improving the return on assets deployed in downstream
operations. Execution on this commitment may take the form of participation in
the industry consolidation process, but most certainly will involve a
continuation of our resolve to maximize the value of existing assets through
cost-efficient operations while limiting further investment to available
downstream cash flow.

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

[GRAPH--INCOME CONTRIBUTION--REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION]

[GRAPH--CAPITAL EXPENDITURES--REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION]

[GRAPH--REFINED PRODUCTS SOLD]

                                                                              15
<PAGE>
 
UNITED STATES

 . U.S. systems operated at a high level of reliability and efficiency in 1996

 . Agreement reached to construct service stations on property leased from 
  Wal-Mart


REFINING

    Through focus on reliability and safety, the Meraux refinery posted a second
consecutive throughput record in 1996, processing an average of 93,929 barrels
of crude oil a day, compared to 91,940 barrels a day in 1995. Crude processed
through the refinery was four percent heavier and 23 percent higher in sulfur
content than any previous crude slate. During 1996, most of the crude purchased
for the Meraux refinery was foreign-sourced and supplied through short-term
contracts and spot purchases.

    The Superior refinery posted runs of 32,657 barrels of crude oil a day, down
slightly from 1995, but sufficient to boost Murphy's total U.S. refining
throughput to a record high of 126,586 barrels a day. The Superior refinery
produced light products and asphalt by primarily running a blend of
Canadian-sourced sweet, synthetic, and asphaltic crudes; the remaining crudes
were from the Williston Basin.

    Refining capital expenditures in the U.S. were down 42 percent from a year
ago, with the primary focus shifting from environmental projects to improvements
in reliability and efficiency. These efforts yielded excellent results in 1996.
The principal cat cracker at Meraux operated at 98 percent of capacity for the
year, and onstream efficiencies for other process units at both refineries
ranged from 95 percent to 100 percent.

MARKETING

    Murphy's U.S. marketing operations are conducted in 11 southeastern states
and six upper-midwestern states where products are sold under the SPUR(R) and
Murphy USA brands. The southeastern system is anchored by the Company's Meraux
refinery, located on the Mississippi River, and includes 34 terminals, 22 of
which are either wholly or jointly owned. The terminals are supplied by barge or
pipeline, including a jointly owned line that connects with two common carrier
pipelines. In addition, products are shipped by barge or pipeline into the
wholesale cargo market. The upper-midwestern distribution system is centered
around the Superior refinery and includes 20 light products terminals, two of
which are wholly owned, that are supplied by pipeline. Company-owned asphalt
terminals at Crookston, Minnesota and Rhinelander, Wisconsin, which are supplied
by truck, complement asphalt supply at Superior. Asphalt sales strengthened in
1996, with a record volume of 1.6 million barrels

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

16
<PAGE>
 
sold through Company terminals. Reflecting a dedication to safety, during 1996
the Company completed six years without a lost-time accident in terminal
operations.

    Products sold and the initial distribution channels utilized are presented
in the following table. Included in the terminal sales volumes are 16,433
barrels a day sold through branded stations.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Barrels a day)                        Terminals                       Cargo
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Gasoline.........................         44,261                      18,446
 Kerosine.........................          2,330                       7,517
 Diesel/heating oil...............         23,252                      16,129
 Residuals........................              -                      15,415
 Asphalt..........................          4,510                           -
 LPG/other........................              -                       4,498
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           74,353                      62,005
=============================================================================

    The Company believes that the agreement with Wal-Mart, combining retail
shopping with retail gasoline sales, contributes to one-stop shopping
convenience for consumers by providing a handy outlet for high-quality,
value-priced gasoline. In the U.K., this concept has been highly successful and
changed the way gasoline is marketed. Stations at SAM'S Club locations in
Chattanooga, Tennessee and Greenville, South Carolina are open, and others are
expected to be completed during 1997.

    At other stations, a program to install credit card readers at gasoline
dispensers and to add car wash systems is ongoing. National-brand fast food
alliances with Burger King(R), Blimpie(R), and TCBY(R) are under way at several
sites. The Company also continued to dispose of nonstrategic stations in 1996,
but ended the year with 527 branded stations, a net addition of 13.

[UNITED STATES MAP]

                                                                       17
<PAGE>
 
UNITED KINGDOM

 . Changing conditions will require restructuring of the U.K. downstream industry


REFINING

    During 1996, Murphy processed an average of 31,300 barrels of crude oil a
day at the jointly owned Milford Haven refinery, up three percent from 1995. The
refinery utilizes North Sea crudes primarily purchased in the spot market.

    Refining capital expenditures were down 32 percent from 1995. Completion of
the high-pressure distillate hydrotreater project dominated capital spending in
1996. The unit, which was placed on stream in August, allows the refinery to
meet regulations requiring the sulfur content of diesel fuel to be no more than
 .05 percent.

MARKETING

    Murphy's distribution system for refined products in the U.K. includes three
rail-fed terminals owned by the Company and eight terminals owned by others,
where products are received in exchange for deliveries from the Company's
terminals.

    The U.K. retail market experienced a turbulent year in 1996. In January, the
country's largest retailer began to match the pricing structure of supermarkets.
An intense seven-month price war followed during which approximately 10 percent
of the service stations in the U.K. closed. Murphy elected not to fully match
the competition's pricing practices and emphasized profitability over market
share. As a result, retail sales declined 16 percent to 6,997 barrels a day in
1996. While retail margins declined 24 percent from a year ago, cost reduction
efforts allowed the Company's retail system to operate at a profit in 1996.
Those efforts included closing 14 uneconomic stations during the year. Refined
products in excess of


[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

18
<PAGE>
 
retail marketing requirements are sold in the spot market. In order to reduce
exposure to spot market prices, the Company increased contract sales to
customers and promoted wholesale terminal sales during 1996. The Company's
three terminals continued to operate profitably during 1996.

RESTRUCTURING

   During 1996, the Company participated in negotiations to merge our U.K.
downstream operations with those of two other companies. Although we elected in
early 1997 to withdraw from those negotiations, we continue to believe that the
U.K. downstream business has undergone a fundamental change and that an adequate
return on assets can best be restored through industry restructuring. Murphy
will participate in the process where it makes sense to do so.



[UNITED KINGDOM MAP]

[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

19
<PAGE>
 
CANADA

 . Expanded pipeline systems to handle increase in heavy oil production


The Company's western Canadian pipelines, which gather and transport oil through
four systems, experienced a five-percent increase in total throughput in 1996.
Throughput on the Murphy-operated Manito (52.5%) and Cactus Lake/Bodo
(13.1%/41.3%) heavy oil systems, both connected to the Interprovincial Pipeline,
were up a combined six percent, as nearby heavy oil production continued to
increase. For 1996, Manito averaged 49,555 barrels a day, and Cactus Lake/Bodo
averaged 34,675. In late 1996, the Company completed the 40-mile North-Sask dual
pipeline (36%), which is expected to deliver an additional 10,000 barrels a day
into the Manito system from areas to the north and east. The new volume required
expansion of the Manito system, including a 16-mile loop in the southern
segment, and new tankage at the Kerrobert terminal. Throughput on the
cross-border Milk River pipeline (100%) increased by 23 percent to 82,750
barrels a day, as demand for Canadian crude continues to increase in the
Billings, Montana refining area. The capacity of the Milk River line was
increased in 1996 to handle up to 118,000 barrels a day. The Wascana pipeline
system (100%), also a cross-border line, experienced a 38-percent


[PICTURE APPEARS HERE]

20
<PAGE>

 
decline in throughput in 1996 to 16,150 barrels a day. The line connects to the
Rocky Mountain area of the U.S., and the decline of U.S. crude production
feeding that area has reversed, thereby reducing the demand for Canadian
imports.

    Earnings from crude oil trading were up 15 percent over 1995 due to an
increase in heavy oil volumes traded. The Company also operates a fleet of
trucks that transport crude oil and natural gas liquids, and earnings from these
activities were up on higher volumes. Sales of refined products at the Company's
seven Thunder Bay, Ontario service stations increased seven percent in 1996, but
margins were squeezed by price competition in the area.

[GRAPH--CANADIAN PIPELINE THROUGHPUTS]


[WESTERN CRUDE OIL PIPELINE SYSTEMS MAP]



                                                                       21
<PAGE>
 
FINANCIAL REVIEW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars except per share data)             1996            1995            1994            1993               1992
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>               <C> 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR/1/
Sales and other operating revenues/2/..............  $2,008,450       1,612,500       1,580,962       1,556,281          1,526,672
Net cash provided by continuing operations/2/......     472,480         309,878         312,251         347,731            276,363
Income (loss) from continuing operations/2/........     125,956        (127,919)         89,347          73,453             54,130
Income (loss) before extraordinary item
  and cumulative effect of changes in
  accounting principles/2/.........................     137,855        (118,612)        106,628          86,798             86,616
Net income (loss)..................................     137,855        (118,612)        106,628         102,136            105,565
Per Common share
   Income (loss) from continuing operations/2/.....        2.80           (2.85)           1.99            1.64               1.20
   Income (loss) before extraordinary item
      and cumulative effect of changes in
      accounting principles/2/.....................        3.07           (2.64)           2.37            1.94               1.93
   Net income (loss)...............................        3.07           (2.64)           2.37            2.28               2.35
   Cash dividends..................................        1.30            1.30            1.30            1.25               1.20
Percentage return on
   Average stockholders' equity....................        12.2            (9.3)            8.6             8.4                8.8
   Average borrowed and invested capital...........        10.4            (7.9)            8.0             8.4                9.7
   Average total assets/2/.........................         6.2            (5.2)            4.8             5.1                5.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR/2/
Exploration and production.........................  $  373,984         231,718         286,348         520,086            138,129
Refining, marketing, and transportation............      42,880          53,602          94,697          86,885             68,073
Corporate..........................................       1,192           1,831           4,876           4,034              1,477
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     $  418,056         287,151         385,921         611,005            207,679
==================================================================================================================================
FINANCIAL CONDITION AT YEAR-END
Current ratio/2/...................................        1.10            1.22            1.14            1.27               1.84
Working capital/2/.................................  $   56,128          87,388          61,750         109,666            354,777
Net property/2/....................................   1,556,830       1,377,455       1,558,716       1,402,448            943,677
Total assets/2/....................................   2,243,786       2,098,466       2,297,459       2,156,272          1,928,936
Long-term obligations/2,3/.........................     201,828         193,146         172,289         109,164             24,755
Stockholders' equity...............................   1,027,478/4/    1,101,145       1,270,679       1,222,350          1,200,088
   Per share.......................................       22.90           24.56           28.34           27.28              26.76
Long-term obligations/2,3/ - percent of
  capital employed.................................        16.4            14.9            11.9             8.2                2.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

/1/Includes effects on income of special items in 1996, 1995, and 1994 that are
   detailed in Management's Discussion and Analysis, page 23. Also, special
   items in 1993 and 1992 resulted in increases to net income of $39,050, $.87 a
   share, and $59,296, $1.32 a share, respectively.
/2/Prior year amounts have been restated for discontinued operations.
/3/Includes nonrecourse debt at December 31, 1996, 1995, 1994, and 1993 of
   $180,957, $171,499, $122,638, and $87,509, which was 14.7 percent, 13.3
   percent, 8.5 percent, and 6.6 percent, respectively, of capital employed.
/4/Reflects $172,561 charge for distribution of common stock of Deltic Timber
   Corporation to stockholders.

[GRAPH--INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE SPECIAL ITEMS]

[GRAPH--NET CASH PROVIDED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS]

[GRAPH--STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AT YEAR-END]

22
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   Consolidated net income for 1996 was $137.9 million, $3.07 a share, compared
to a net loss in 1995 of $118.6 million, $2.64 a share. In 1994, the Company
earned $106.6 million, $2.37 a share. As reviewed in Note B to the consolidated
financial statements, on December 31, 1996 the Company completed a spin-off to
its stockholders of the common stock of its farm, timber, and real estate
subsidiary, and activities of this segment have been accounted for as
discontinued operations. Net income for 1996 included earnings from the
discontinued operations of $11.9 million, $.27 a share. Discontinued operations
earned $9.3 million, $.21 a share, in 1995 and $17.3 million, $.38 a share, in
1994. Results of continuing operations for the three years ended December 31,
1996 also included certain special items that resulted in a net gain of $22.2
million, $.49 a share, in 1996; a net charge of $152 million, $3.39 a share, in
1995; and a net gain of $20.3 million, $.45 a share in 1994. The 1995 special
items included an after-tax charge of $168.4 million, $3.75 a share, from a
write-down of assets determined to be impaired under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 121 (SFAS No. 121).

   Excluding the special items, income from continuing operations totaled
$103.8 million, $2.31 a share, in 1996, an increase of $79.7 million over 1995.
Earnings from the Company's exploration and production operations increased
$72.3 million, and income from the refining, marketing, and transportation
segment improved $12.1 million. The cost of corporate activities increased $4.7
million compared to 1995. In 1995, income from continuing operations before
special items was $24.1 million, $.54 a share, a decrease of $44.9 million
compared to 1994. Earnings from exploration and production operations declined
$15.7 million, and income from refining, marketing, and transportation was down
$28.2 million. The cost of corporate activities increased $1 million compared to
1994.

   In the following table, the Company's results of operations for the three
years ended December 31, 1996 are presented by segment. Special items, which can
obscure underlying trends of operating results and affect comparability between
years, are set out separately. A review of the information presented follows the
table.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)                                                        1996       1995       1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C> 
Exploration and production
   United States........................................................     $ 50.4        4.8       18.1
   Canada...............................................................       27.6       21.7       15.1
   United Kingdom.......................................................       14.7        6.4        6.0
   Ecuador..............................................................       13.8        2.7       (2.4)
   Other international..................................................       (4.7)      (6.1)       8.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              101.8       29.5       45.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing, and transportation
   United States........................................................        1.8       (3.8)      17.7
   United Kingdom.......................................................        6.2         .3        5.2
   Canada...............................................................        6.1        5.5        7.3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               14.1        2.0       30.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate                                                                     (12.1)      (7.4)      (6.4)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before special items..................      103.8       24.1       69.0
Gain on sale of U.S. onshore producing properties.......................       17.7        -          -
Net loss from modifications to foreign crude oil contracts..............        (.6)       -          -
Refund and settlement of income tax matters.............................        5.1       13.6        6.4
Impairment of long-lived assets.........................................        -       (168.4)       -
Provision for reduction-in-force........................................        -         (4.2)       -
Adjustment of estimates for self-insured liabilities....................        -          7.0        -
Settlement of DOE matters...............................................        -          -         13.9
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations................................      126.0     (127.9)      89.3
Income from discontinued farm, timber, and real estate operations.......       14.0        9.3       17.3
Costs of spin-off transaction...........................................       (2.1)       -          -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                                            $137.9     (118.6)     106.6
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

   EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION - Earnings from exploration and production
operations before special items were $101.8 million in 1996, $29.5 million in
1995, and $45.2 million in 1994. The improvement in 1996 earnings was due to a
59-percent increase in the average sales price for U.S. natural gas and higher
crude oil sales prices worldwide. A seven-percent reduction in crude oil and
liquids production and a 12-percent decline in natural gas sales provided
partial offsets. The decrease in 1995 was due to a 14-percent decline in the
average sales price for U.S. natural gas and a 54-percent increase in
exploration expenses. Partial offsets were an 11-percent increase in crude oil
and liquids production and higher crude oil sales prices.

[GRAPH--INCOME CONTRIBUTION FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BY FUNCTION]

                                                                              23
<PAGE>
 
   The results of operations for oil and gas producing activities for each of
the last three years are shown by major operating area on pages 46 and 47. A
summary of oil and gas revenues is presented in the following table.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)               1996    1995     1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>  
United States
   Crude oil .................     $ 86.1    82.2     73.7
   Natural gas................      147.1   112.8    136.1
Canada
   Crude oil .................       81.6    68.3     54.2
   Natural gas................       17.3    14.5     19.7
   Synthetic oil..............       63.3    55.7     52.7
United Kingdom
   Crude oil .................      102.1    92.6     77.8
   Natural gas................       14.4     9.8      9.0
Ecuador - crude oil...........       35.0    25.9      7.9
Other ........................        7.8    11.3     17.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                        $554.7   473.1    448.7
==============================================================
</TABLE> 

[GRAPH--RANGE OF U.S. CRUDE OIL SALES PRICES]

[GRAPH--RANGE OF U.S. NATURAL GAS SALES PRICES]

   Daily production rates and weighted average sales prices are shown on page
49.

   Worldwide crude oil and liquids production averaged 53,210 barrels a day in
1996, 57,015 in 1995, and 51,328 in 1994. Crude oil and liquids production in
the U.S. declined 15 percent in 1996, with the reduction primarily due to the
sale of onshore producing properties effective July 1, 1996. In 1995, production
was up three percent compared to 1994, as new drilling more than offset normal
reservoir depletion. Canadian production declined two percent in the current
year compared to a seven-percent increase in 1995. Production of heavy oil
increased nine percent in 1996 following a 30-percent increase in 1995, with the
increases due to an accelerated program to develop the Company's heavy oil
reserves. The Company's net interest in production of synthetic crude oil in
Canada declined eight percent in 1996 due to an increase in the net profits
royalty rate resulting from higher crude oil prices. Murphy's working interest
in the gross production of the Syncrude project was essentially unchanged at
approximately 10,000 barrels a day. The Company's average production from the
U.K. declined 12 percent in 1996 compared to an 11-percent increase in 1995.
Production from "T" Block in the North Sea was down 14 percent. In 1995, "T"
Block production increased 47 percent compared to 1994, when the field was being
brought up to full production. Production from the Ninian field in the North Sea
declined 12 percent in 1996 following a 14-percent decrease in 1995. Production
in Ecuador increased 14 percent as new fields were added during 1996. In 1995,
production averaged 5,274 barrels a day compared to 1,967 in 1994, the initial
year of production.

   Worldwide sales of natural gas averaged 220.6 million cubic feet a day in
1996, 251.7 million in 1995, and 256.3 million in 1994. Sales of natural gas in
the U.S. declined 18 percent in 1996. Sale of the onshore producing properties
accounted for approximately 20 percent of the decrease, with the remainder due
to reduced deliverability in certain of the Company's larger fields. Natural gas
sales were at record levels in Canada, increasing five percent. Natural gas
sales were up 43 percent in the U.K., but declined 33 percent in Spain, where
production ceased at the end of 1996. In 1995, a three-percent decline in U.S.
sales was partially offset by an eight-percent increase in Canadian sales.

   As previously indicated, worldwide crude oil prices strengthened during 1996.
In the U.S., Murphy's 1996 average monthly sales prices for crude oil and
condensate ranged from $17.41 a barrel to $24.32, and averaged $20.31 for the
year, a 22-percent increase compared to 1995. In Canada, the average sales price
for light oil was $19.97 a barrel in 1996, an increase of 21 percent. Heavy oil
prices averaged $14.27 a barrel, up 18 percent compared to a year ago. The
average sales price for synthetic crude oil averaged $21.20 in 1996, up 23
percent. U.K. sales prices averaged $21.08 in 1996, an increase of 24 percent
from a year ago. Sales prices averaged $15.96 in Ecuador, up 22 percent. In
1995, average crude oil prices were up eight percent in both the U.S. and the
U.K. In Canada, average sales prices were up 13 percent for light oil, 15
percent for heavy oil, and nine percent for synthetic crude oil when compared to
1994. Sales prices in Ecuador were up eight percent in 1995.

   Average monthly natural gas sales prices in the U.S. ranged from $2.01 an MCF
to $3.68 during 1996. For the year, prices averaged $2.60 an MCF compared to
$1.64 a year ago. The average 1996 sales price for natural gas in Canada
increased 13 percent. Prices increased two percent in the U.K. and were
essentially unchanged in Spain. Average natural gas sales prices in 1995 were
down 14 percent in the U.S. and 32 percent in Canada. Prices in the U.K. and
Spain increased four percent and 13 percent, respectively, in 1995.

   Based on 1996 volumes and deducting taxes at marginal rates, each $1 a barrel
and $.10 an MCF fluctuation in price would have affected annual exploration and
production earnings by $11 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Consolidated
net income could have been affected differently because of contrary or corollary
effects on other business segments.

   Production costs were $160.5 million in 1996, $167.5 million in 1995, and
$162.1 million in 1994. These amounts are shown by major operating area on pages
46 and 47. Cost per equivalent barrel of production during the last three years
were as follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars per equivalent barrel)         1996    1995     1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>     <C>      <C> 
United States.................         $ 3.31    3.24     3.31
Canada
    Excluding synthetic oil...           3.95    3.55     3.56
    Synthetic oil.............          12.72   12.17    12.09
United Kingdom................           6.00    5.88     5.77
Ecuador.......................           4.96    6.01     8.21
Worldwide - excluding
  synthetic oil...............           4.09    3.90     3.94
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

24
<PAGE>
 
   The increase in the cost per equivalent barrel in the U.S. in 1996 was
attributable to lower production volumes. The 1996 increase in Canada, excluding
synthetic oil, was due to production mix, with light oil production declining
and heavy oil increasing. The increase in the cost per equivalent barrel for
Canadian synthetic oil in 1996 was due to lower net production volumes resulting
from the increase in royalty barrels. Based on the Company's interest in
Syncrude's gross production, per-barrel cost declined three percent in 1996. In
1996, higher per-barrel cost in the U.K. was due to lower production volumes. In
1995, the increase was due to repairs to a Ninian production platform offset in
part by a favorable impact from higher "T" Block production. Cost in Ecuador
decreased in each year due to higher production volumes.

   Exploration expenses for each of the last three years are shown in total in
the following table, and amounts are reported by major operating area on pages
46 and 47. Certain of the expenses are included in the capital expenditure
totals for exploration and production activities.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)               1996    1995     1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>     <C>      <C> 
Included in capital
  expenditures
    Dry hole costs............      $28.5    30.9     16.6
    Geological and
       geophysical costs......       24.1    16.2      9.5
    Other costs...............        7.9     8.0      5.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------
                                     60.5    55.1     31.7
Undeveloped lease
  amortization................        9.7    10.7     11.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------
         Total                      $70.2    65.8     42.7
=============================================================
</TABLE> 

[GRAPH--EXPLORATION EXPENSES]

   Depreciation, depletion, and amortization related to exploration and
production operations totaled $147.6 million in 1996, $182.7 million in 1995,
and $161.5 million in 1994. The decrease in 1996 was partially due to lower
production volumes. In addition, a write-down of assets under SFAS No. 121,
which was adopted effective October 1, 1995, resulted in a reduction in
depreciation, depletion, and amortization in 1996 of $12.9 million ($10.5
million after tax). Depreciation, depletion, and amortization increased in 1995
primarily due to higher production volumes partially offset by a reduction of
$2.4 million ($2 million after tax) caused by the asset write-down.

   REFINING, MARKETING, AND TRANSPORTATION - Earnings from refining, marketing,
and transportation operations before special items were $14.1 million in 1996,
$2 million in 1995, and $30.2 million in 1994. Operations in the U.S. earned
$1.8 million in 1996 compared to a loss of $3.8 million in 1995. The year 1996
included a $9.2 million after-tax benefit related to crude oil swap agreements
compared to a $3.9 million after-tax charge in 1995. U.S. operations earned
$17.7 million in 1994. Operations in the U.K. earned $6.2 million in 1996
compared to $.3 million in 1995. Asset write-downs taken in 1995 under SFAS No.
121 resulted in reductions in depreciation, depletion, and amortization of $4.6
million ($3.1 million after tax) in 1996 and $1.5 million ($1 million after tax)
in 1995. U.K. operations earned $5.2 million in 1994. Canadian operations
contributed $6.1 million to 1996 earnings compared to $5.5 million in 1995 and
$7.3 million in 1994.

   Unit margins (sales realizations less costs of crude, other feedstocks,
refining, and transportation to point of sale) averaged $.25 a barrel in the
U.S. in 1996, $.46 in 1995, and $1.07 in 1994. The 1996 margin included $.14
attributable to crude oil swap agreements. U.S. product sales were up four
percent in 1996 following an eight-percent increase in 1995. Margins in the U.S.
continued to be under pressure throughout 1996, and for the year the average
unit margin was down 46 percent following a 57-percent decline in 1995. Margins
continued to be depressed at the end of 1996, and in early 1997, the Company was
experiencing losses in its U.S. downstream operations.

   Margins in the U.K. averaged $2.08 a barrel in 1996, $2.26 in 1995, and
$2.17 in 1994. Sales of petroleum products increased eight percent following a
22-percent decline in 1995, with year-to-year changes primarily in cargo sales.
As was the case in 1995, sales through the Company's branded outlets were under
pressure during 1996, as competition with supermarkets continued. Unit margins
have also declined in the U.K. in early 1997.

   Based on sales volumes for 1996 and deducting taxes at marginal rates, each
$.42 a barrel ($.01 a gallon) fluctuation in unit margins would have affected
annual refining and marketing profits by $16.5 million. Consolidated net income
could have been affected differently because of contrary or corollary effects on
other business segments.

   The improvement in earnings from purchasing, transporting, and reselling
crude oil in Canada in 1996 was due to increases in crude trading volumes and
margins and higher pipeline throughputs. In 1995, the effect of higher pipeline
throughputs was more than offset by lower crude trading volumes and margins.

   CORPORATE - This segment includes interest income and expense and corporate
overhead not allocated to operating functions. The increase in the loss in 1996
was due to increases in the cost of awards under the Company's incentive plans.
In 1995, the loss increased as a result of higher interest expense.

   SPECIAL ITEMS - Net income for the last three years included certain special
items reviewed below; the quarter in which each of the items occurred is
indicated. Certain other quarterly information is presented on page 29. 

 .  Gain on sale of U.S. onshore producing properties - An after-tax gain of
   $17.7 million was recorded in the third quarter of 1996 from the sale of 48
   onshore producing oil and gas properties in the U.S.

                                                                              25
<PAGE>
 
[GRAPH--CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IN 1996]

 .  Net loss from modifications to foreign crude oil contracts - A net loss of
   $.6 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1996 resulting from
   modifications to contracts related to crude oil production in Ecuador and
   Gabon. (see Note Q to the consolidated financial statements).

 .  Refund and settlement of income tax matters - A gain of $5.1 million for
   settlement of income tax matters in Canada was recorded in the fourth quarter
   of 1996. A gain of $4.9 million for refund of U.S. income taxes was recorded
   in the third quarter of 1995. Other gains for settlement of income tax
   matters included $3.2 million and $3.5 million in the third and fourth
   quarters, respectively, of 1995 for the U.K., $2 million in the fourth
   quarter of 1995 for Gabon, and $6.4 million in the second quarter of 1994 for
   the U.K.

 .  Impairment of long-lived assets - An after-tax provision of $168.4 million
   was recorded in the fourth quarter of 1995 for the write-down of assets
   determined to be impaired under provisions of SFAS No. 121 (see Note C to the
   consolidated financial statements).

 .  Provision for reduction-in-force - An after-tax provision of $4.2 million was
   recorded in the fourth quarter of 1995 for the cost of enhanced early
   retirement and severance programs.

 .  Adjustment of estimates for self-insured liabilities - An after-tax gain of
   $7 million was recorded in the first quarter of 1995 from an adjustment of
   amounts previously reserved relating to matters for which the Company is
   self-insured.

 .  Settlement of DOE matters - An after-tax gain of $13.9 million was recorded
   in the third quarter of 1994 upon settlement of a dispute with the U.S.
   Department of Energy (DOE) concerning DOE regulations in effect from 1973 to
   1981 (see Note Q to the consolidated financial statements).

   The income (loss) effects of special items are summarized by segment in the
following table for the three years ended December 31, 1996.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)                1996    1995*    1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>     <C>        <C> 
Exploration and production
    United States..............     $17.7    (1.1)       -
    Canada.....................       5.1       -        -
    United Kingdom.............         -   (18.4)     6.4
    Ecuador....................      (8.8) (100.0)       -
    Other international........       8.2     (.6)       -
- -----------------------------------------------------------
                                     22.2  (120.1)     6.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing,
  and transportation
    United Kingdom                      -   (35.6)       -
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Corporate                               -     3.7     13.9
- -----------------------------------------------------------
        Total                       $22.2  (152.0)    20.3
===========================================================
</TABLE> 
*Includes after-tax effect of asset write-down under SFAS No. 121 as follows:
 exploration and production--U.S., $6; U.K., $24.2; Ecuador, $100; other
 international, $2.6; refining, marketing, and transportation--U.K., $35.6.

   Certain of the special items had a significant effect on the Company's
consolidated effective income tax rates, which were 42 percent in 1996, 14
percent in 1995, and 30 percent in 1994 (see Note G to the consolidated
financial statements).

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

   As shown in the selected financial information on page 22, capital
expenditures were $418.1 million in 1996 compared to $287.2 million in 1995 and
$385.9 million in 1994. These amounts included $60.5 million, $55.1 million, and
$31.7 million of exploration expenditures that were expensed. Capital
expenditures for exploration and production activities totaled $374 million in
1996, almost 90 percent of the Company's total capital expenditures for the
year. Exploration and production capital expenditures in 1996 included $22.6
million for acquisition of undeveloped leases, $140.1 million for exploration
activities, and $211.3 million for development projects. Development
expenditures included $44.2 million for the Hibernia oil field, offshore
Newfoundland, $25.6 million each for the Mungo/Monan and Schiehallion fields in
the U.K. North Sea, and $11.7 million for oil fields in Ecuador. Exploration and
production capital expenditures are shown by major operating area on pages 46
and 47. Amounts shown under "Other" in 1996 included $6.6 million for
exploration costs offshore China, of which $4.8 million was for a well that
discovered oil on Block 04/36 in Bohai Bay and has been capitalized pending
further evaluation expected to occur in 1997.

   Refining, marketing, and transportation expenditures, detailed in the
following table, were $42.9 million in 1996, or 10 percent of total capital
expenditures, compared to $53.6 million in 1995 and $94.7 million in 1994.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)               1996    1995     1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>     <C>      <C> 
Refining
    United States..............     $13.2    22.9     72.4
    United Kingdom.............      12.2    17.9      2.1
- ------------------------------------------------------------
         Total refining              25.4    40.8     74.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Marketing
    United States..............       7.5     4.6      6.8
    United Kingdom.............       1.3     4.6     10.1
    Canada.....................         -       -       .1
- ------------------------------------------------------------
         Total marketing              8.8     9.2     17.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation
    United States..............        .3      .1      1.0
    Canada.....................       8.4     3.5      2.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------
         Total transportation         8.7     3.6      3.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------
         Total                      $42.9    53.6     94.7
============================================================
</TABLE> 

   Refining expenditures in the U.S. were primarily for capital projects
necessary to keep the refineries operating within industry standards. Refining
expenditures in the U.K. included $10.6 million to complete construction of a
distillate desulfurization unit commenced in

26
<PAGE>
 
1995. Marketing expenditures included the costs of sites and new service
stations, and improvements and normal replacements at existing stations and
terminals.

CASH FLOWS

   Cash provided by continuing operations was $472.5 million in 1996, $309.9
million in 1995, and $312.3 million in 1994. Such amounts included cash provided
from special items of $14.7 million in 1995 and $5.3 million in 1994. Special
items reduced cash flow in 1996 by $12.8 million. Changes in operating working
capital other than cash and cash equivalents provided cash of $77.1 million in
1996, but required cash of $36.6 million in 1995 and $18.9 million in 1994. Cash
provided by continuing operations was further reduced by expenditures for
refinery turnarounds and abandonment of oil and gas properties totaling $10.8
million in 1996, $13.8 million in 1995, and $55.3 million in 1994. Additional
borrowings under nonrecourse debt arrangements provided $23.1 million of cash in
1996, $59.5 million in 1995, and $42.8 million in 1994. Other long-term
borrowings provided $28.1 million of cash in 1994.

   Capital expenditures required $418.1 million of cash in 1996, $287.2 million
in 1995, and $385.9 million in 1994. Other significant cash outlays during the
three years included $11.4 million in 1996, $35.6 million in 1995, and $11
million in 1994 for reductions of debt. Cash used for dividends to stockholders
was nearly $58.3 million each year.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

   Year-end working capital totaled $56.1 million in 1996, $87.4 million in
1995, and $61.8 million in 1994. The current level of working capital does not
fully reflect the Company's liquidity position, as the relatively low historical
costs assigned to inventories under LIFO accounting were $120.3 million below
current costs at December 31, 1996. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 1996
totaled $109.7 million compared to $60.9 million a year ago and $68.8 million at
year-end 1994.

   Long-term obligations increased $8.7 million and were $201.8 million at
year-end, 16 percent of total capital employed, and included $181 million of
nonrecourse debt incurred in connection with acquisition and development of
proved properties. Long-term obligations totaled $193.1 million at the end of
1995 compared to $172.3 million at year-end 1994. Stockholders' equity was $1
billion at the end of 1996 compared to $1.1 billion a year ago and $1.3 billion
at the end of 1994. The decrease in 1996 was caused by the spin-off of the
Company's farm, timber, and real estate subsidiary to stockholders at year-end.
The decrease in 1995 was primarily attributable to the asset write-down upon
adoption of SFAS No. 121. A summary of transactions in the equity accounts is
presented on page 34.

   The primary sources of the Company's liquidity are internally generated
funds, access to outside financing, and working capital. The Company relies on
internally generated funds to finance the major portion of its capital and other
expenditures, but maintains lines of credit with banks and borrows as necessary
to meet spending requirements. Current financing arrangements are set forth in
Note E to the consolidated financial statements. The Company does not anticipate
any problem in meeting future requirements for funds.

   The Company had commitments of $243 million for capital projects in progress
at December 31, 1996.

ENVIRONMENTAL

   The Company's worldwide operations are subject to numerous laws and
regulations intended to protect the environment and/or impose remedial
obligations. In addition, the Company is involved in personal injury claims,
allegedly caused by exposure to or by the release or disposal of materials
manufactured or used in the Company's operations. The Company operates or has
previously operated certain sites or facilities, including refineries, oil and
gas fields, service stations, and terminals, for which known or potential
obligations for environmental remediation exist.

   Under the Company's accounting policies, liabilities for environmentally
related obligations are recorded when such obligations are probable and the cost
can be reasonably estimated. If there is a range of reasonably estimated costs,
the most likely amount will be recorded, or if no amount is most likely, the
minimum of the range. Recorded liabilities are reviewed quarterly and adjusted
as needed. Actual cash expenditures often occur a number of years after
recognition of the liabilities.

   The Company's reserve for remedial obligations, which is included in
"Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets,
contains certain amounts that are based on anticipated regulatory approval of
proposed remediation of former refinery waste sites. If regulatory authorities
require more costly alternatives than the proposed processes, future
expenditures could exceed the amount reserved by up to an estimated $2 million.

   The Company has received notices from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency that it is a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) at five Superfund sites
and has been assigned responsibility by defendants at another Superfund site.
The potential total cost to all parties to perform necessary remedial work at
these sites is substantial; however, current information indicates that the
Company is a "de minimus" party, with assigned or potentially assigned
responsibility of less than two percent at all but one of the sites. At that
site, the Company has not determined either its potentially assigned
responsibility percentage or its potential total remedial cost. The Company has
recorded a

                                                                              27
<PAGE>
 
reserve of $.1 million for Superfund sites, and due to currently available
information on one site and the minor percentages involved on the other sites,
the Company does not expect that its related remedial costs will be material to
its financial condition or its results of operations. Additional information may
become known in the future that would alter this assessment, including any
requirement to bear a pro rata share of costs attributable to nonparticipating
PRP's or indications of additional responsibility by the Company.

   Although the Company is not aware of any environmental matters that might
have a material effect on its financial condition, there is the possibility that
additional expenditures could be required at currently unidentified sites, and
new or revised regulatory requirements could necessitate additional expenditures
at known sites. Such expenditures could materially affect the results of
operations in a future period.

   The Company believes that certain environmentally related liabilities and
prior environmental expenditures are either covered by insurance or will be
recovered from other sources. The outcome of potential insurance recoveries is
the subject of ongoing litigation, including the appeal of a judgment awarded
the Company in 1995. Since no assurance can be given that the judgment will be
upheld upon appeal or that recoveries from other sources will occur, the Company
has not recognized a benefit for these potential recoveries at December 31,
1996.

   The Company's refineries also incur costs to handle and dispose of
hazardous wastes and other chemical substances on a recurring basis. These costs
are generally expensed as incurred and amounted to $4.3 million in 1996.

   In addition to remediation and other recurring expenditures, Murphy commits a
significant amount of its capital expenditure program for compliance with
environmental laws and regulations. Such capital expenditures were approximately
$42 million in 1996 and are expected to be $35 million in 1997.

OTHER MATTERS

 .   Impact of Inflation - General inflation was moderate during the last three
    years in most countries where the Company operates; however, the Company's
    revenues and capital and operating costs are influenced to a larger extent
    by specific price changes in the oil and gas and allied industries than by
    changes in general inflation. Crude oil and petroleum product prices
    generally reflect the balance between supply and demand, with crude oil
    prices being particularly sensitive to OPEC production levels and/or
    attitudes of traders concerning supply and demand in the near future.
    Natural gas prices are affected by supply and demand (which to a significant
    extent is weather-related) and by the fact that delivery of supplies is
    generally restricted to specific geographical areas. The 1996 increases in
    crude oil and natural gas sales prices have resulted in upward pressure on
    amounts paid by the Company for goods and services, particularly in offshore
    operations.

 .   Proposed Merger - In late 1996, the Company entered into a Memorandum of
    Understanding to merge its U.K. refining and marketing operations with those
    of two other oil companies. On March 13, 1997, the Company elected to
    withdraw from further participation in the merger negotiations.

 .   Other - The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on net income and the
    Company's use of derivative financial instruments are reviewed in Notes H
    and M, respectively, to the consolidated financial statements.

OUTLOOK

   In planning for 1997, prices for the Company's products remain uncertain.
U.S. natural gas prices and worldwide crude oil prices have declined sharply in
early 1997. In addition, the Company's U.S. downstream operations were incurring
losses subsequent to year-end. In such an environment, constant reassessment of
spending plans is required. The Company's capital expenditure budget for 1997
was prepared during the fall of 1996 and provides for expenditures of $462
million. A major portion of this amount, $402 million or 87 percent, is
allocated for exploration and production. Geographically, about 37 percent of
the exploration and production budget is designated for the U.S.; 29 percent for
Canada, including $54 million for further development of the Hibernia and Terra
Nova oil fields; 24 percent for the U.K., including $65 million for development
costs related to the Schiehallion and Mungo/Monan oil fields; five percent for
continuing development of oil fields in Ecuador; and the remaining five percent
for other overseas operations. Refining, marketing, and transportation capital
expenditures for 1997 are budgeted at $58 million, including $48 million in the
U.S. and $5 million each in the U.K. and Canada. Capital and other expenditures
are under constant review, and these budgeted amounts may be adjusted to reflect
changes in estimated cash flow.

   As reviewed in Note Q to the consolidated financial statements,
forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are made in reliance upon the
safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

28
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
QUARTERLY INFORMATION

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    1996/1/
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            First           Second         Third           Fourth
(Millions of dollars except per share amounts)            Quarter          Quarter       Quarter          Quarter           Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>            <C> 
Sales and other operating revenues/2/................      $415.4            497.1         525.0            571.0        2,008.5
Income from continuing operations
  before income taxes/2/.............................        37.5             40.4          70.5             68.0          216.4
Income from continuing operations/2/.................        20.3             24.8          40.5             40.4          126.0
Income from discontinued operations/2/...............         3.7              3.3           1.8              3.1           11.9
Net income...........................................        24.0             28.1          42.3             43.5          137.9
Per Common share
    Income from continuing operations/2/.............         .45              .55           .90              .90           2.80
    Income from discontinued operations/2/...........         .09              .07           .04              .07            .27
    Net income.......................................         .54              .62           .94              .97           3.07
    Cash dividends...................................        .325             .325          .325             .325           1.30
Market Price
    High.............................................          44               46 3/8        49               56 1/2         56 1/2
    Low..............................................          40 3/4           42 5/8        42 1/4           47 1/4         40 3/4

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    1995/1/
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales and other operating revenues/2/................      $382.0            424.7         398.1            407.7        1,612.5
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  before income taxes/2/.............................        17.8             33.3          (1.0)          (198.8)        (148.7)
Income (loss) from continuing operations/2/..........        11.3             17.9           6.2           (163.3)        (127.9)
Income from discontinued operations/2/...............         4.7              2.7           1.4               .5            9.3
Net income (loss)....................................        16.0             20.6           7.6           (162.8)        (118.6)
Per Common share
    Income (loss) from continuing operations/2/......         .25              .40           .14            (3.64)         (2.85)
    Income from discontinued operations/2/...........         .11              .06           .03              .01            .21
    Net income (loss)................................         .36              .46           .17            (3.63)         (2.64)
    Cash dividends...................................        .325             .325          .325             .325           1.30
Market Price
    High.............................................          45 3/8           44 3/8        42 3/8           42 1/2         45 3/8
    Low..............................................          40 3/8           40 7/8        38 3/8           37 1/2         37 1/2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE> 
/1/The effects of special gains (losses) on quarterly net income are reviewed in
   Management's Discussion and Analysis. Quarterly totals, in millions of
   dollars, and the effect per Common share of these special items are reported
   in the following table.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          First           Second         Third           Fourth
                                                        Quarter          Quarter       Quarter          Quarter           Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>      
    1996 
    Quarterly totals.................................        $  -                -            17.7            4.5           22.2
    Per Common share.................................           -                -             .39            .10            .49
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1995
    Quarterly totals.................................        $7.0                -             8.1         (167.1)        (152.0)
    Per Common share.................................         .16                -             .18          (3.73)         (3.39)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE> 
/2/Each quarterly period in 1995 and the first two quarters of 1996 have been
   restated for discontinued operations.

Market prices of Common Stock are as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.
There were 4,093 stockholders of record at December 31, 1996.


                                                                              29
<PAGE>
 
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Preparation and integrity of the accompanying consolidated financial
statements and other financial data are the responsibility of management. The
statements were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles appropriate in the circumstances and include some amounts based on
informed estimates and judgments, with consideration given to materiality.

     Management is also responsible for maintaining a system of internal
accounting controls designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance
that financial information is objective and reliable by ensuring that all
transactions are properly recorded in the Company's accounts and records,
written policies and procedures are followed, and assets are safeguarded. The
system is also supported by careful selection and training of qualified
personnel. When establishing and maintaining such a system, judgment is required
to weigh relative costs against expected benefits. Effectiveness of the controls
is monitored by the Company's audit staff, which independently and
systematically evaluates and formally reports on the adequacy and effectiveness
of components of the system.

    Our independent auditors, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, have audited the
consolidated financial statements. Their audit was conducted in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and provides an independent opinion about
the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements. When performing
their audit, KPMG Peat Marwick LLP considers the Company's internal control
structure to the extent they deem necessary to issue their opinion on the
financial statements. The Board of Directors appoints the independent auditors;
ratification of the appointment is solicited annually from the shareholders.

    Annually the Board of Directors appoints an Audit Committee to perform an
oversight role for the financial statements. This Committee is composed solely
of directors who are not employees of the Company. The Committee meets
periodically with representatives of management, the Company's audit staff, and
the independent auditors to review the Company's internal controls, the quality
of its financial reporting, and the scope and results of audits. The independent
auditors and the Company's audit staff have unrestricted access to the
Committee, without management's presence, to discuss audit findings and other
financial matters.


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Murphy Oil Corporation:

    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Murphy Oil
Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and
the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.

    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Murphy Oil
Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

    As discussed in Note C to the consolidated financial statements, in 1995 the
Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of.

KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Shreveport, Louisiana
March 4, 1997

30
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars except per share amounts)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31                                                                  1996                1995*             1994*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                <C>                <C>                 <C> 
REVENUES
Sales ........................................................................     $1,916,599           1,571,929         1,540,550
Other operating revenues......................................................         91,851              40,571            40,412
Interest, income from equity companies, and other nonoperating revenues.......         13,726              19,280            29,754
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total revenues                                                                  2,022,176           1,631,780         1,610,716
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Crude oil, products, and related operating expenses...........................      1,483,914           1,218,083         1,179,826
Exploration expenses, including undeveloped lease amortization................         70,206              65,755            42,741
Selling and general expenses..................................................         66,402              63,788            62,884
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization.....................................        182,381             221,871           194,999
Impairment of long-lived assets...............................................              -             198,988                 -
Provision for reduction-in-force..............................................              -               6,610                 -
Interest expense..............................................................         13,120              14,428            12,398
Interest capitalized..........................................................        (10,202)             (9,015)           (9,842)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total costs and expenses                                                        1,805,821           1,780,508         1,483,006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes..................        216,355            (148,728)          127,710
Federal and state income taxes (benefits).....................................         43,860              (6,233)           25,627
Foreign income taxes (benefits)...............................................         46,539             (14,576)           12,736
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing operations                                              125,956            (127,919)           89,347
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DISCONTINUED FARM, TIMBER, AND REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS
Income from discontinued operations...........................................         13,999               9,307            17,281
Costs of spin-off transaction.................................................         (2,100)                  -                 -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total discontinued operations                                                       11,899               9,307            17,281
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS)                                                                  $  137,855            (118,612)          106,628
====================================================================================================================================


PER COMMON SHARE
Continuing operations.........................................................     $     2.80               (2.85)             1.99
Discontinued operations.......................................................            .27                 .21               .38
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                                                  $     3.07               (2.64)             2.37
====================================================================================================================================

Average Common shares outstanding                                                  44,977,110          44,866,699        44,882,182
====================================================================================================================================

</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

See notes to consolidated financial statements, page 35.

                                                                              31
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31                                                                                         1996                 1995*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                                                           <C>                   <C> 
ASSETS
Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents.............................................................    $  109,707               60,853
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
      of $15,267 in 1996 and $5,766 in 1995...............................................       319,661              230,208
    Inventories
        Crude oil and raw materials.......................................................        42,811               52,417
        Finished products.................................................................        44,310               61,433
        Materials and supplies............................................................        44,234               40,063
    Prepaid expenses......................................................................        29,820               28,141
    Deferred income taxes.................................................................        19,626               17,392
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total current assets..........................................................       610,169              490,507
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation,
  depletion, and amortization of $2,573,606 in 1996 and $2,647,143 in 1995................     1,556,830            1,377,455
Deferred charges and other assets.........................................................        76,787               85,764
Net investment in discontinued operations.................................................             -              144,740
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              $2,243,786            2,098,466
====================================================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
    Current maturities of long-term obligations...........................................    $   13,635               10,632
    Accounts payable......................................................................       406,583              288,935
    Withholdings and collections due governmental agencies................................        45,640               35,626
    Other accrued liabilities.............................................................        50,790               46,678
    Income taxes..........................................................................        37,393               21,248
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total current liabilities.....................................................       554,041              403,119
Notes payable and capitalized lease obligations...........................................        20,871               21,647
Nonrecourse debt of a subsidiary..........................................................       180,957              171,499
Deferred income taxes.....................................................................       127,319              103,549
Reserve for dismantlement costs...........................................................       152,528              144,893
Reserve for major repairs.................................................................        29,776               11,417
Deferred credits and other liabilities....................................................       150,816              141,197
Stockholders' equity
    Cumulative Preferred Stock, par $100, authorized 400,000 shares, none issued..........             -                    -
    Common Stock, par $1.00, authorized 80,000,000 shares, issued 48,775,314 shares.......        48,775               48,775
    Capital in excess of par value........................................................       509,008              507,758
    Retained earnings.....................................................................       550,699              643,699
    Currency translation adjustments......................................................        22,573                4,568
    Unamortized restricted stock awards...................................................        (1,298)                (592)
    Treasury stock........................................................................      (102,279)            (103,063)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total stockholders' equity                                                         1,027,478            1,101,145
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              $2,243,786            2,098,466
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

See notes to consolidated financial statements, page 35.

32
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31                                                                     1996            1995*           1994*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>             <C>              <C> 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Income (loss) from continuing operations............................................    $125,956        (127,919)         89,347
Adjustments to reconcile above income (loss) to net cash provided
  by operating activities
   Depreciation, depletion, and amortization........................................     182,381         221,871         194,999
   Impairment of long-lived assets..................................................           -         198,988               -
   Provisions for major repairs.....................................................      24,797          25,375          22,571
   Expenditures for major repairs and dismantlement costs...........................     (10,839)        (13,820)        (55,284)
   Exploratory expenditures charged against income..................................      60,532          55,055          31,696
   Amortization of undeveloped leases...............................................       9,674          10,700          11,045
   Deferred and noncurrent income tax charges (credits).............................      28,464         (46,961)         21,259
   Pretax gains from disposition of assets..........................................     (34,369)         (3,136)           (916)
   Other - net......................................................................       5,889          17,201          (1,058)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                         392,485         337,354         313,659
   (Increase) decrease in operating working capital other than cash
     and cash equivalents...........................................................      77,111         (36,609)        (18,877)
   Net recoveries on insurance claim to repair hurricane damage.....................           -           7,619          14,673
   Other adjustments related to continuing operations...............................       2,884           1,514           2,796
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided by continuing operations....................................     472,480         309,878         312,251
    Net cash provided by discontinued operations....................................      18,158          13,061          24,931
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided by operating activities                                          490,638         322,939         337,182
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures requiring cash.................................................    (418,056)       (287,151)       (385,921)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment................................      55,536           8,281           4,417
Other continuing operations - net...................................................      (1,128)        (10,158)        (17,375)
Investing activities of discontinued operations.....................................     (17,402)         (8,596)        (10,313)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net cash required by investing activities                                         (381,050)       (297,624)       (409,192)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to notes payable and capitalized lease obligations........................           -               -          28,076
Reductions of notes payable and capitalized lease obligations.......................        (776)        (28,004)         (3,336)
Additions to nonrecourse debt of a subsidiary.......................................      23,089          59,489          42,793
Reduction of nonrecourse debt of a subsidiary.......................................     (10,628)         (7,604)         (7,614)
Cash dividends paid.................................................................     (58,294)        (58,257)        (58,232)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net cash provided (required) by financing activities                               (46,609)        (34,376)          1,687
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                               2,277             201             242
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents................................      65,256          (8,860)        (70,081)
(Increase) decrease applicable to discontinued operations...........................     (16,402)            913              82
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations.......      48,854          (7,947)        (69,999)
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at January 1.....................      60,853          68,800         138,799
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at December 31                       $109,707          60,853          68,800
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

See notes to consolidated financial statements, page 35.


                                                                              33
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years Ended December 31                                                                   1996            1995                1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>               <C>                 <C>   
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK - par $100, authorized
  400,000 shares, none issued                                                        $        -              -                   -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK - par $1.00, authorized 80,000,000 shares,
  issued 48,775,314 shares at beginning and end of year                                 48,775          48,775              48,775
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL IN EXCESS OF PAR VALUE
Balance at beginning of year......................................................     507,758         507,797             507,292
Exercise and surrender of stock options...........................................         450              40                 226
Restricted stock transactions.....................................................         800             (79)                279
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Capital in excess of par value at end of year                                       509,008         507,758             507,797
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year......................................................     643,699         820,568             772,172
Net income (loss) for the year....................................................     137,855        (118,612)            106,628
Distribution of common stock of Deltic Timber Corporation to stockholders.........    (172,561)              -                   -
Cash dividends - $1.30 a share....................................................     (58,294)        (58,257)            (58,232)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Retained earnings at end of year                                                    550,699         643,699             820,568
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS
Balance at beginning of year......................................................       4,568          (2,403)             (1,514)
Translation gains (losses) during the year........................................      18,005           6,971                (889)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Currency translation adjustments at end of year                                      22,573           4,568              (2,403)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNAMORTIZED RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
Balance at beginning of year......................................................        (592)           (993)               (660)
Stock awards......................................................................      (1,023)              -                (800)
Amortization, forfeitures, and changes in price of Common Stock...................         317             401                 467
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Unamortized restricted stock awards at end of year                                   (1,298)           (592)               (993)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TREASURY STOCK
Balance at beginning of year......................................................    (103,063)       (103,065)           (103,715)
Exercise and surrender of stock options...........................................         543              67                 308
Awarded restricted stock, net of forfeitures......................................         241             (65)                342
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Treasury stock at end of year - 3,912,971 shares of Common Stock in 1996,
    3,942,800 shares in 1995, and 3,942,868 shares in 1994, at cost                   (102,279)       (103,063)           (103,065)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                          $1,027,478       1,101,145           1,270,679
==================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

See notes to consolidated financial statements, page 35.

34
<PAGE>
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE A - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business - Murphy Oil Corporation is an international oil and gas
company that conducts business through various operating subsidiaries. Oil and
natural gas is produced in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. North Sea, and Ecuador.
The Company also conducts exploration activities in numerous countries and has
an interest in a Canadian synthetic crude oil operation, the world's largest.
The Company operates two oil refineries in the U.S. and shares ownership in a
U.K. refinery. Murphy markets petroleum products under various brand names in
the U.S., the U.K., and Canada and trades and transports crude oil in Canada.

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Murphy Oil Corporation and all majority-owned subsidiaries.
Investments in affiliates in which the Company has 20- to 50-percent ownership
are accounted for by the equity method. Other investments are generally carried
at cost. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated.

Cash Equivalents - Short-term investments (which include government securities
or other securities with government securities as collateral) that have a
maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase are classified as
cash equivalents.

Inventories - Inventories of crude oil and refined products are generally valued
at cost applied on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, which in the aggregate is
lower than market. Materials and supplies are valued at the lower of average
cost or estimated value.

Property, Plant, and Equipment - The Company uses the successful efforts method
of accounting for exploration and development expenditures. Leasehold
acquisition costs are capitalized. When proved reserves are found on an
undeveloped property, leasehold cost is reclassified to proved properties.
Significant undeveloped leases are reviewed periodically, and a valuation
allowance is provided for any estimated decline in value. Cost of all other
undeveloped leases is amortized over the estimated average holding period of the
leases. Costs of exploratory drilling are initially capitalized, but if proved
reserves are not found, the costs are subsequently expensed. All other
exploratory costs are charged to expense as incurred. Development costs are
capitalized, including the cost of unsuccessful development wells.

In 1995 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of. Under SFAS No. 121, oil and gas properties are
evaluated by field for potential impairment; other long-lived assets are
evaluated on a specific asset basis or in groups of similar assets, as
applicable. An impairment is recognized when the undiscounted estimated future
net cash flows of an evaluated asset are less than the carrying value of the
asset. Previously, worldwide undiscounted future net cash flows for oil and gas
properties were compared annually to net capitalized cost of proved properties
to determine if an impairment had occurred. As warranted by events, significant,
high-cost properties were assessed for permanent impairment based on discounted
future net cash flows.

Depreciation and depletion of producing oil and gas properties are provided
under the unit-of-production method. Developed reserves are used to compute unit
rates for unamortized development costs, and proved reserves are used for
unamortized leasehold costs. Estimated dismantlement, abandonment, and site
restoration costs, net of salvage value, are considered in determining
depreciation and depletion. Depreciation of refining and marketing facilities is
calculated using the composite straight-line method. Other properties are
depreciated by individual unit based on the straight-line method.

Gains and losses on disposals or retirements that are significant or include an
entire depreciable or depletable property unit are included in income. Costs of
dismantling oil and gas production facilities and site restoration are charged
against the related reserve. All other dispositions, retirements, or
abandonments are reflected in accumulated depreciation, depletion, and
amortization.

Provisions are made for refinery turnarounds by monthly charges to expense.
Costs incurred are charged against the reserve. All other maintenance and repair
costs are charged to expense. Renewals and betterments are capitalized.

Environmental Liabilities - A provision for environmentally related obligations
is recorded by a charge to expense when it is determined that the Company's
liability for an environmental assessment and/or cleanup is probable and the
cost can be reasonably estimated. Related expenditures are charged against the
reserve. Environmental remediation liabilities have not been discounted to
reflect the time value of future expected payments. Environmental expenditures
that have future economic benefit are capitalized.

Income Taxes - The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for
income taxes. Under this method, the provision for income taxes includes amounts
currently payable and amounts deferred as tax assets and liabilities based on
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases
of existing assets and liabilities and measured using the enacted tax rates that
are assumed will be in effect when the differences reverse. Provision for
petroleum revenue taxes payable to the U.K. government is based on the estimated
effective tax rate over the life of certain U.K. properties.

Foreign Currency Translation - Local currency is the functional currency used
for recording operations in Canada and Spain and the majority of activities in
the U.K. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency used to record all other
operations. Gains or losses that result from translating accounts from foreign
functional currencies into U.S. dollars are included in "Currency Translation
Adjustments" in "Stockholders' Equity." Gains or losses that result from
specific transactions in a currency other than the functional currency are
included in income.

Derivatives - Financial instruments (generally crude oil swaps) that reduce the
financial exposure of U.S. refinery operations to unfavorable market movements
related to

                                                                              35
<PAGE>
 
anticipated crude oil purchases are accounted for as hedges. Gains and losses on
these contracts are included in costs in the periods that the hedged oil
purchases occur. A loss is recognized if the estimated cost of the future crude
purchases, including settlement costs of these contracts, exceeds the estimated
net realizable value of the related finished products. Foreign exchange
contracts that reduce the financial exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates are accounted for as hedges. These contracts, which relate to
existing obligations or commitments, generally involve the exchange of one
currency for another at a future date. Gains and losses are recognized in income
or as adjustments to the carrying amounts when the hedged transactions occur.

Excise Taxes on Refined Products - Taxes collected on the sales of refined
products and remitted to governmental agencies are not included in revenues or
costs and expenses.

Net Income per Common Share - This amount is computed by dividing net income for
each reporting period by the weighted average number of Common and Common
equivalent (stock options when dilutive) shares outstanding during the period.

Use of Estimates - In the preparation of financial statements of the Company in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, management has made a
number of estimates and assumptions related to the reporting of assets and
liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses.
Actual results may differ from the estimates.

NOTE B - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On December 31, 1996, Murphy completed a tax-free spin-off to its stockholders
of all the common stock of its wholly owned farm, timber, and real estate
subsidiary Deltic Farm & Timber Co, Inc. (reincorporated as "Deltic Timber
Corporation"). The spin-off resulted in a net charge of $172,561,000 to
"Retained Earnings" in 1996. As a result of the transaction, activities of the
farm, timber, and real estate segment have been accounted for as discontinued
operations, with prior periods restated to conform to the 1996 presentation.
Selected operating results for these activities, presented as net amounts in the
Consolidated Statements of Income, were as follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars except
    per share amounts)                        1996      1995       1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C> 
Revenues.................................  $87,746    79,433     88,447
Income tax provisions....................    8,878     5,394     11,909
Income from operations...................   13,999     9,307     17,281
Costs of spin-off transaction............   (2,100)        -          -
Income from operations per share ........      .31       .21        .38
Costs of spin-off transaction per share..     (.04)        -          -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

Components of net assets of discontinued farm, timber, and real estate
activities, presented as a net amount in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at
December 31, 1995, were as follows.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                                             1995 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>      
Current assets..............................................   $ 29,612 
Property and equipment - net................................    109,777 
Other noncurrent assets.....................................     25,998 
Current liabilities.........................................    (12,491)
Noncurrent liabilities......................................     (8,156)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net investment in discontinued operations..............   $144,740 
========================================================================
</TABLE> 

NOTE C - ACCOUNTING CHANGE

Effective October 1, 1995, the Company adopted SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of. The
effects of this accounting change were a reduction in the carrying value of
property, plant, and equipment by $198,988,000 and an after-tax reduction of
income by $168,367,000, $3.75 a share. The asset impairments resulted from
management's expectation of a continuation into the foreseeable future of the
low-price environment for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products that
confronted the oil and gas industry throughout most of 1995. The carrying values
for assets determined to be impaired were adjusted to fair values based on
estimated future net cash flows for such assets, discounted at a market rate of
interest. Properties determined to be impaired were certain oil and gas assets
(Ecuadoran fields; two U.K. North Sea fields; four U.S. fields, primarily in the
Gulf of Mexico; and a Spanish property) and U.K. refining and marketing assets.

NOTE D - PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Investment                Investment
(Thousands of dollars)      December 31, 1996         December 31, 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Cost       Net           Cost/1/    Net/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>        <C>            <C>          <C> 
Exploration and
  production..........   $3,215,266 1,139,324/2/   3,163,843    975,801/2/
Refining..............      639,152   264,588        601,869    257,497 
Marketing.............      169,905    96,506        160,234     92,734 
Transportation........       75,582    39,715         67,258     34,315 
Corporate and other...       30,531    16,697         31,394     17,108 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         $4,130,436 1,556,830      4,024,598  1,377,455 
==========================================================================
</TABLE> 
/1/ Restated for discontinued operations.
/2/ Includes $17,989 in 1996 and $17,239 in 1995 related to administrative
    assets and support equipment.

The Company leases land, service stations, and other facilities under operating
leases. Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases
are not material. Commitments for capital expenditures were approximately
$243,000,000 at December 31, 1996.

NOTE E - FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

At December 31, 1996, the Company had committed credit facilities with two major
banks totaling an equivalent US $200,000,000 for a combination of U.S. dollar
and Canadian dollar borrowings. In addition, the Company had a committed
facility of US $114,496,000 with another major

36
<PAGE>
 
bank that is only subject to drawdown based on the availability of loan
guarantees from the Canadian government. Depending upon the credit facility,
borrowings bear interest at prime or various cost of fund options. Facility fees
are due at varying rates on certain of the commitments. The facilities expire at
dates ranging from 1997 through 1999. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, U.S. dollar
and Canadian dollar commercial paper totaling an equivalent US $114,496,000 and
US $110,296,000, supported by a bank credit facility, was classified as
long-term nonrecourse debt. In addition, the Company had lines of credit with
banks at December 31, 1996, totaling an equivalent US $160,432,000 for a
combination of U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar borrowings. No amounts were
outstanding at December 31, 1996, and these lines could be withdrawn at any
time.

At year-end 1996, the Company had a shelf registration on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission that would permit the offer and sale of
$250,000,000 in debt securities. No securities had been issued as of December
31, 1996.

NOTE F - LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31                                              1996      1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C> 
Notes payable to bank, 10.1%, due 2004                $ 20,000    20,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized lease obligations due 1997-2021; 6%, 8%        875     1,651
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonrecourse debt of a subsidiary
  Guaranteed credit facility with bank              
       Commercial paper, 2.80% to 5.46%,            
          $45,096 payable in Canadian dollars,      
          supported by credit facility, due 1998.....  114,496   110,296
  Loan payable to Canadian government, interest-    
    free, due 1999-2008, payable in Canadian dollars.   37,944    19,055
  Promissory note, 6.25%, due 1997-1998,            
    payable in Canadian dollars......................   42,148    52,776
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Subtotal                                 194,588   182,127
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Total..................................  215,463   203,778
Current maturities...................................  (13,635)  (10,632)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total long-term obligations             $201,828   193,146
================================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

Amounts becoming due for the four years after 1997 are: 1998, $28,521,000; 1999,
$3,799,000; 2000, $3,799,000; and 2001, $12,556,000.

The nonrecourse guaranteed credit facility was arranged to finance expenditures
for the Hibernia oil field. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, the
Canadian government has unconditionally guaranteed repayment of amounts drawn
under/supported by the credit facility to lenders that possess qualifying
Participation Certificates. The Company has obtained the maximum borrowing
available under the Primary Guarantee Facility at December 31, 1996. The Company
also has other loan guarantee commitments from the Canadian government. The
amount guaranteed declines quarterly beginning the earlier of January 1, 2002 or
two years after cumulative production reaches 25 million barrels; no guaranteed
financing is available after January 1, 2016. A guarantee fee of .5 percent is
payable annually in arrears to the Canadian government. Since the Company
intends to refinance outstanding debt under the guaranteed credit facility, the
debt is not reflected as becoming due in 1998.

The 6.25-percent promissory note of Cdn $55,970,000 (US $42,148,000 at a hedged
exchange rate) is payable to the province of Alberta and is secured by a
debenture, which mortgages the Company's interest in the Syncrude project and
its production therefrom. The province's right to recover the principal and
interest on the note is limited to the mortgaged property and funds available
from that production.

NOTE G - INCOME TAXES

The components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
and income tax expense (benefit) were as follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                        1996      1995/1/    1994/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>        <C> 
Income (loss) from continuing
  operations before income taxes
     United States......................  $104,888    (5,574)    76,505
     Foreign............................   111,467  (143,154)    51,205
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $216,355  (148,728)   127,710
================================================================================
Income tax expense (benefit)
     Continuing operations
          Federal - Current/2/..........  $ 16,445     5,619     (3,952)
                    Deferred............    15,837   (20,800)    23,593
                    Noncurrent..........     8,762     9,008      3,708
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            41,044    (6,173)    23,349
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          State   - Current                  2,816       (60)     2,278
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Foreign - Current.............    46,130    22,929     15,398
                    Deferred............     4,095   (19,580)       183
                    Noncurrent..........    (3,686)  (17,925)    (2,845)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            46,539   (14,576)    12,736
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total continuing operations.    90,399   (20,809)    38,363
     Discontinued operations............     8,878     5,394     11,909
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $ 99,277   (15,415)    50,272
================================================================================
</TABLE> 
/1/Restated for discontinued operations.
/2/Net of benefits of $1,035 in 1996, $4,273 in 1995, and $1,923 in 1994 for
   alternative minimum tax credit.

Noncurrent taxes relate to petroleum revenue taxes payable to the U.K.
government ($2,774,000 and $6,330,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995 and
classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as "Deferred Credits and Other
Liabilities") and to matters not resolved with various taxing authorities. The
significant components of deferred income tax expense (benefit) attributable to
income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 were as follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                        1996      1995*        1994*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>        <C> 
Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the
   effects of the component listed below
   on deferred tax assets and liabilities
   at the beginning of each year).......    $17,754    (36,053)   23,794
Estimated tax credit carryforward
   (increase) decrease..................      2,178     (4,327)      (18)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total deferred tax expense (benefit)  $19,932    (40,380)   23,776
================================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.
                                                                              37
<PAGE>
 
Following is a reconciliation of the U.S. statutory income tax rate to the
Company's effective rates on income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1996      1995*        1994*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>          <C> 
U.S. statutory income tax rate...............   35%      (35)%       35%
Foreign asset impairment with no tax benefit.    -        24          -
Foreign income subject to foreign
   taxes at greater than U.S. statutory rate.    7         7          3
Refund and settlement of foreign taxes.......   (1)       (5)        (5)
Refund and settlement of U.S. taxes..........    -        (5)        (3)
State income taxes...........................    1         -          1
Other, net...................................    -         -         (1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Effective income tax rates                42%      (14)%       30%
================================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

An analysis of the Company's deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at
December 31, 1996 and 1995 showing the tax effects of significant temporary
differences follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                                  1996       1995/1/
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C> 
Deferred tax assets
     Property and leasehold costs................  $  58,185     60,540
     Reserves for dismantlements and major repairs    60,404     52,766
     Federal alternative minimum
        tax credit carryforward/2/...............      6,065      8,243
     Postretirement and other employee benefits..     20,486     17,413
     Other deferred tax assets...................     30,524     30,082
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Total gross deferred tax assets.......    175,664    169,044
     Less valuation allowance....................    (33,609)   (34,597)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Net deferred tax assets                   142,055    134,447
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities
     Property, plant, and equipment..............    (43,198)   (49,071)
     Accumulated depreciation,
        depletion, and amortization..............   (184,445)  (147,018)
     Other deferred tax liabilities..............    (22,105)   (24,928)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Total gross deferred tax liabilities     (249,748)  (221,017)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Net deferred tax liabilities            $(107,693)   (86,570)
================================================================================
</TABLE> 
/1/Restated for discontinued operations.
/2/Available to reduce future U.S. federal income taxes over an indefinite 
   period.

In management's judgment, the net deferred tax assets in the preceding table
will more likely than not be realized as reductions of future taxable income or
by utilizing available tax planning strategies. The valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets decreased $988,000 in 1996 after decreasing $4,718,000 in
1995; the change in each year offset the change in certain deferred tax assets.
Any subsequent reductions of the valuation allowance will be reported as
reductions of income tax expense assuming no offsetting change in the deferred
tax asset.

The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability of $9,075,000 related to
undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries at December 31, 1996,
because the earnings are considered permanently invested.

Income tax returns are subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and tax
authorities of other countries. In 1996, 1995, and 1994, the Company recorded
benefits to income of $5,120,000, $13,603,000, and $6,365,000, respectively,
from settlement of various U.S. and foreign tax issues related to prior years.
The Company believes that adequate accruals have been made for unsettled issues.

NOTE H - CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Cumulative translation gains and losses are included in "Stockholders' Equity."
At December 31, 1996, components of the net cumulative gain of $22,573,000 were
gains (losses) of $42,388,000 for pounds sterling, $(21,143,000) for Canadian
dollars, and $1,328,000 for all other currencies. Comparability of net income
was not significantly affected by exchange rate fluctuations in 1996, 1995, or
1994.

NOTE I - STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

The Company has a Stockholder Rights Plan, which provides for each Common
stockholder to receive a dividend of one Right for each share of the Company's
Common Stock held. The Rights will expire on December 6, 1999, unless earlier
redeemed or exchanged. The Rights will detach from the Common Stock and become
exercisable following a specified period of time, subject to extension, after
the date of the first public announcement that a person or group of affiliated
or associated persons (other than certain persons) has become the beneficial
owner of 15 percent or more of the Company's Common Stock. The Rights have
certain antitakeover effects and will cause substantial dilution to a person or
group that attempts to acquire the Company without conditioning the offer on a
substantial number of Rights being acquired. The Rights are not intended to
prevent a takeover, but rather are designed to enhance the ability of the Board
of Directors to negotiate with an acquiror on behalf of all shareholders. Other
terms of the Rights are set forth in, and the foregoing description is qualified
in its entirety by, the Rights Agreement between the Company and Harris Trust
Company of New York, as Rights Agent.

NOTE J - INCENTIVE PLANS

The Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) permits annual awards of
shares of the Company's Common Stock to executives and other key employees.
Under the Plan, the Executive Compensation and Nominating Committee (the
Committee) is authorized to grant: (1) stock options (nonqualified or
incentive), (2) stock appreciation rights (SAR), and (3) restricted stock
awards. Total annual shares granted may not exceed .5 percent of shares
outstanding at the end of the preceding year; any allowed shares not granted may
be awarded in future years. The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 to account
for stock-based compensation plans. Accordingly, costs of options and restricted
stock are accrued over the vesting/performance periods and adjusted for
subsequent changes in fair market value of the shares. Compensation cost charged
against income for stock-based compensation was $5,566,000 in 1996, $222,000 in
1995, and $1,457,000 in 1994, and there were no significant modifications of
outstanding awards in the last three years. Had compensation cost of the
Company's stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value
of the instruments at the grant dates using the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the
Company's net income and earnings per share would be the following pro forma
amounts.

38
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars except per share data)            1996       1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C> 
Net income         - As reported.................    $137,855   (118,612)
                     Pro forma...................     138,570   (118,979)

Earnings per share - As reported.................    $   3.07      (2.64)
                     Pro forma...................        3.08      (2.65)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

 .  Stock options - For each option granted under the Plan, The Committee fixes
   the option price at no less than fair market value on the date of the grant
   and fixes the option term, not to exceed 10 years from date of grant. Each
   option granted to date has been for 10 years and nonqualified, with an option
   price no less than the fair market value on the grant date, and each grantee
   is permitted to surrender options for equivalent value of stock at the date
   of surrender. One half of each grant may be exercised or surrendered after
   two years and the remainder after three years.

   For the pro forma net income calculation in the preceding table, the fair
   value of each option on the date of grant was estimated using the
   Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following assumptions for awards
   in 1996 and 1995, respectively: dividend yields of 3.20 percent and 3.04
   percent; expected volatility of 17.64 percent and 19.76 percent; risk-free
   interest rates of 5.26 percent and 7.45 percent; and expected lives of five
   years. Using these assumptions, the weighted-average grant-date fair values
   per share of options granted in 1996 and 1995 were $7.27 and $10.21,
   respectively.

   Changes in options outstanding, including shares issued under a prior plan,
   were as follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Average
                                                      Number      Exercise
                                                   of Shares         Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                             <C>            <C> 
   Outstanding January 1, 1994....................   377,017        $36.72
   Granted........................................    69,500         39.94
   Surrendered....................................   (54,950)        34.86
   Forfeited/expired..............................   (51,837)        41.18
- ------------------------------------------------------------
   Outstanding December 31, 1994..................   339,730         37.00
   Granted........................................   142,000         43.94
   Surrendered....................................   (33,250)        35.86
   Forfeited/expired..............................   (23,250)        39.20
- ------------------------------------------------------------
   Outstanding December 31, 1995..................   425,230         39.28
   Granted........................................   168,000         42.44
   Surrendered....................................  (105,006)        36.47
   Forfeited......................................   (47,625)        42.82
- ------------------------------------------------------------
   Outstanding December 31, 1996                     440,599         40.77
==========================================================================
   Exercisable December 31, 1994..................   147,480        $36.32
   Exercisable December 31, 1995..................   198,355         36.31
   Exercisable December 31, 1996..................   153,223         36.92
==========================================================================
</TABLE> 

   Additional information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 1996
   follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Range of            No. of   Avg. Life     Avg.    No. of      Avg.
   Exercise Prices    Options    in Years    Price   Options     Price
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                <C>       <C>         <C>      <C>        <C> 
   $27.13 to $40.00   169,099         5.6   $37.14   145,223    $36.68
   $41.00 to $43.94   271,500         8.5    43.04     8,000     41.30
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   $27.13 to $43.94   440,599         7.4   $40.77   153,223    $36.92
=========================================================================
</TABLE> 

 .  SAR - SAR may be granted in conjunction with or independent of stock options;
   the Committee determines when SAR may be exercised and the price. No SAR have
   been granted.

 .  Restricted stock - Shares of restricted stock were granted in 1992, 1994, and
   1996, with vesting for each grant contingent upon the Company's achieving
   specific financial objectives at the end of a five-year performance period.
   Additional shares may be awarded if objectives are exceeded, but the grant
   may be forfeited if objectives are not met. During the performance period,
   the grantee may vote and receive dividends on the shares, but shares are
   subject to transfer restrictions and are all or partially forfeited if a
   grantee terminates, depending upon the reason. The grantee may be reimbursed
   by the Company for personal income tax liability on the value of stock
   awarded. For the pro forma net income calculation, the fair value per share
   of restricted stock granted in 1996 was $42.44, the grant-date market price
   of the stock. On December 31, 1996, the performance period ended for shares
   granted in 1992; based on financial objectives achieved, 50 percent of
   eligible shares granted in 1992 were awarded and the remaining shares were
   forfeited.

   Changes in restricted stock outstanding were as follows.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Number of shares)                         1996      1995       1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                     <C>       <C>        <C> 
   Balance at beginning of year...........  38,011    40,511     27,511
   Granted................................  24,250         -     20,000
   Awarded................................ (10,563)        -          -
   Forfeited.............................. (15,186)   (2,500)    (7,000)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Balance at end of year                   36,512    38,011     40,511
==========================================================================
</TABLE> 

 .  Cash awards - The Company has an Incentive Compensation Plan that provides
   for annual cash awards to officers, directors, and key employees based on
   actual results for a year compared to financial performance objectives
   established at the beginning of that year. The Plan is administered by the
   Committee. Provisions of $3,100,000, $400,000, and $1,200,000 were recorded
   in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively, in anticipation of future awards.

NOTE K - EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE BENEFITS 

Retirement Plans - The Company has noncontributory defined benefit retirement
plans that cover substantially all employees. Benefits are based on years of
service and final-pay or career-average-pay formulas as defined by the plans.
The Company also has a nonqualified supplemental plan for directors and
supplemental plans that provide benefits to employees whose defined benefits
under their retirement plan formula cannot be fully funded because of statutory
limitations on the amount of benefits that may be paid from qualified plans. As
part of a reduction-in-force program, special termination benefits were offered
certain U.S. employees in 1995; a curtailment gain resulted from reduced future
service cost for employees accepting the offer.

Retirement expense (credit) and its components for 1996, 1995, and 1994 are
shown in the following table.

                                                                              39
<PAGE>
 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Plans
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                        1996      1995       1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>        <C> 
Service cost - benefits earned during
  the year...............................  $ 3,191     3,266      3,736
Interest accrued on benefits earned
  in prior years.........................   11,609    10,984     10,465
Actual return on plan assets.............  (21,641)  (32,876)    (3,761)
Net amortization and deferral............    4,739    18,456    (10,900)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Retirement expense reduction*.......   (2,102)     (170)      (460)
Special termination benefits.............        -     7,005          -
Curtailment gain.........................        -    (2,494)         -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net retirement expense (credit)       $(2,102)    4,341       (460)
===========================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Major assumptions were discount rates of 7.00% for 1996, 7.50% for 1995, and
 6.75% for 1994 and assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets of 8.50% for
 each year.

Net retirement expense (credit) included in "Income from Discontinued
Operations" in the Consolidated Statements of Income was $(69,000) in 1996,
$(12,000) in 1995, and $(3,000) in 1994.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-U.S. Plans
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                        1996      1995       1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>        <C> 
Service cost - benefits earned during
  the year................................  $1,528     1,482      1,537
Interest accrued on benefits earned
  in prior years..........................   2,620     2,173      2,404
Actual return on plan assets..............  (5,011)   (3,652)      (894)
Net amortization and deferral.............     910       811     (2,323)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Retirement expense*                    $   47       814        724
==========================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Major assumptions were discount rates of 7.50%-9.50% in 1996 and 1995, and
 6.50%-7.50% in 1994 and assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets of
 7.50%-9.50% in 1996 and 1995, and 6.50%-7.50% in 1994.

Amounts contributed to U.S. funded plans are actuarially determined and are at
least the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974. Amounts contributed to non-U.S. plans are based on local laws. The
supplemental plans are unfunded, and accumulated benefits exceeded assets in one
funded plan in 1995. Accumulated benefits in excess of assets in these plans
were $5,501,000 in 1996 and $5,906,000 in 1995; these amounts have been netted
in the following table, which sets forth the combined funded status of plans and
amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               U.S. Plans          Non-U.S. Plans
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                                                                  1996         1995        1996        1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>           <C>          <C>         <C> 
Present value of accumulated benefits based on years of
 service, applicable pay formula, and present pay levels
   Vested.........................................................................  $138,428      142,238      27,991      24,060
   Nonvested......................................................................     5,494        7,023         120         188
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Accumulated benefit obligation/1/...........................................   143,922      149,261      28,111      24,248
Provision for future pay increases................................................    15,592       17,514       6,298       6,645
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Projected benefit obligation/1/.............................................   159,514      166,775      34,409      30,893
Plan assets - at market value/2/..................................................   185,355      181,791      44,935      38,574
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligation.......................    25,841       15,016      10,526       7,681
Unrecognized net asset from transition to SFAS No. 87/3/..........................   (13,529)     (15,667)     (2,143)     (2,268)
Unrecognized net loss (gain) from unfavorable (favorable) actuarial experience....    (4,740)       7,302     (14,612)    (11,417)
Unrecognized prior service cost...................................................     1,421        1,861       2,718       2,655
Additional minimum liability......................................................      (360)        (474)          -           -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Prepaid (accrued) retirement cost                                             $  8,633        8,038      (3,511)     (3,349)
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

/1/Major assumptions for U.S. plans were discount rates of 7.50% for 1996 and
   7.00% for 1995 and future pay rate increases of 4.60% for 1996 and 1995.
   Major assumptions for non-U.S. plans were discount rates of 7.50%-9.50% for
   1996 and 1995 and future pay rate increases of 6.00%-7.00% for 1996 and 1995.
/2/Primarily includes listed stocks and bonds, government securities, U.S.
   agency bonds, corporate bonds, and group annuity contracts.
/3/Being amortized over periods of 14 to 19.2 years.

Prepaid retirement cost of $1,299,000 was included in "Net Investment in
Discontinued Operations" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1995.

Thrift Plans - Most employees of the Company in the U.S. and Canada may
participate in thrift plans by allotting up to a specified percentage of their
base pay. The Company matches contributions at a stated percentage of each
employee's allotment based on length of participation in the plans. Company
contributions to these plans were $2,784,000 in 1996, $2,952,000 in 1995, and
$2,707,000 in 1994, including $190,000 in 1996, $157,000 in 1995, and $144,000
in 1994 that were included in "Income from Discontinued Operations" in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Postretirement Benefits - In the U.S., the Company sponsors plans that provide
health care benefits and life insurance benefits for most retired employees.
Costs are accrued for these plans during the service lives of covered employees.
Retirees contribute a portion of the self-funded cost of health care benefits;
the Company contributes the remainder. The Company pays premiums for life
insurance coverage, arranged through an insurance company. The health care plan
is funded on a pay-as-you-go basis. The Company has the right to modify the
benefits and/or cost-sharing provisions.

Based on actuarial computations, postretirement expense and its components for
1996, 1995, and 1994 were as follows.

40
<PAGE>

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                        1996      1995       1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C> 
Service cost..............................  $  714       548        895
Amortization of net actuarial loss........      17       476        347 
Interest cost.............................   2,175     2,706      2,733
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Postretirement expense                 $2,906     3,730      3,975
========================================================================
</TABLE> 

Postretirement expense included in "Income from Discontinued Operations" in the
Consolidated Statements of Income was $433,000 in 1996, $466,000 in 1995, and
$485,000 in 1994.

A summary follows of postretirement benefit obligations recorded at December 31,
1996 and 1995. Calculation of the amount of accumulated unfunded postretirement
benefit obligations (APBO) was based on discount rates of 7.50 percent and 7.00
percent in 1996 and 1995.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                                  1996       1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>         <C> 
APBO - Retirees....................................  $18,450     27,595
       Fully eligible active participants..........    2,680      2,443
       Other active participants...................    7,931      8,622
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Total unfunded APBO............   29,061     38,660
Unrecognized net actuarial loss....................      611     (7,765)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Accrued APBO obligations         $29,672     30,895
============================================================================
</TABLE> 

Accrued APBO obligations were included in "Deferred Credits and Other
Liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets except for $3,352,000 included
in "Net Investment in Discontinued Operations" at December 31, 1995. The
decrease in accrued APBO obligations at December 31, 1996, was due to the
spin-off of Deltic Timber Corporation.

In determining the APBO at December 31, 1996, health care inflation cost was
assumed to increase at an annual rate of 7.5 percent, gradually decreasing to
4.5 percent in 2002 and thereafter. A one-percent increase in the assumed health
care cost trend would increase the 1996 postretirement benefit expense by 8.2
percent and the APBO at December 31, 1996 by 6.5 percent.

NOTE L - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

Cash income taxes paid, net of refunds, were $43,051,000, $24,638,000, and
$29,999,000 in 1996, 1995, and 1994. Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized,
was $1,659,000, $5,434,000, and $1,873,000 in 1996, 1995, and 1994.

(Increases) decreases in noncash operating working capital for each of the three
years ended December 31, 1996 were:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                        1996      1995*      1994*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>    
Accounts receivable.....................  $(89,453)    7,203    (51,356)
Inventories.............................    22,558   (18,192)       240
Prepaid expenses........................    (1,679)    7,131       (288)
Deferred income tax assets..............    (2,234)   (2,551)     3,538
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   131,774   (23,987)    29,994
Current income tax liabilities..........    16,145    (6,213)    (1,005)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          $ 77,111   (36,609)   (18,877)
========================================================================
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

NOTE M - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company utilizes derivative transactions on a limited basis to manage
well-defined risks related to commodity prices and foreign currency exchange
rates. The Company does not hold any derivatives for trading purposes.

Occasionally, the Company uses derivative agreements to reduce the financial
exposure of its U.S. refinery operations to unfavorable market movements related
to anticipated crude oil purchases. Under each agreement, the Company receives
or pays a cash settlement at maturity based on the differential between the
agreement price and an actual future crude oil price. At December 31, 1996, the
Company had swap agreements that mature in 1997 for 1,500,000 barrels at prices
ranging from $19.33 to $19.95 a barrel.

The Company has foreign exchange contracts to manage certain foreign exchange
risks. At December 31, 1996, the Company had hedging contracts to buy 
Cdn $55,970,000, fixing the U.S. dollar costs for certain Canadian dollar
nonrecourse debt. The Company also had a hedging contract to sell 
US $12,000,000, fixing the Canadian dollar revenues from the sale of Canadian
crude in U.S. dollars.

NOTE N - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of
financial instruments held by the Company at December 31, 1996 and 1995. The
fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could
be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The table
excludes cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, investments and
noncurrent receivables, trade accounts payable, and accrued expenses, all of
which had fair values approximating carrying amounts.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                1996                      1995*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Carrying or   Estimated      Carrying or  Estimated
                                Notional        Fair         Notional       Fair
(Thousands of dollars)            Amount       Value           Amount      Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>              <C>        <C> 
Financial liabilities
   Long-term obligations
     including current
     maturities.............. $(215,463)   (203,848)        (203,778)  (199,265)
Off-balance-sheet exposures
   Crude oil swaps...........         -       6,166                -     (7,965)
   Financial guarantees and
     letters of credit.......   (38,800)    (38,800)         (41,000)   (41,000)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
*Restated for discontinued operations.

The carrying amounts of financial liabilities in the preceding table are
included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under "Current Maturities of Long-
Term Obligations," "Notes Payable and Capitalized Lease Obligations," and
"Nonrecourse Debt of a Subsidiary." The following methods and assumptions were
used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which
it is practicable to estimate that value. 

 . Long-term obligations including current maturities - The fair value is
  estimated based on current rates offered the Company for debt of the same
  maturities.

 . Crude oil swaps - The fair value is an estimate of the amount, based on quotes
  from brokers, that the Company


                                                                              41
<PAGE>
 
  would receive (pay) at the reporting date to cancel the contracts. The
  estimated fair value of crude oil swap contracts at December 31, 1995 was
  fully reserved in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a part of "Deferred
  Credits and Other Liabilities."

 . Financial guarantees and letters of credit - The fair value is based on the
  estimated cost to settle these obligations.

NOTE O - CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISKS

The Company's primary credit risk is from trade accounts receivable. These
receivables arise mainly from sales of crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum
products to a large number of customers in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The
credit history and financial condition of potential customers are reviewed
before credit is extended, security may be obtained then or later, routine
follow-up evaluations are made, and an allowance for doubtful accounts is
maintained, generally based upon a risk evaluation of specific customers. The
Company also has certain off-balance-sheet financial instruments (see Note N to
the consolidated financial statements). The Company controls the credit risks on
these instruments through credit approvals and monitoring procedures and
believes such risks are minimal, as counterparties to the transactions generally
are major financial institutions. At December 31, 1996, the Company had no
significant concentration of credit risk outside the oil and gas industry.

NOTE P - OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Inventories valued at cost under the LIFO method totaled $63,783,000 and
$94,779,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively. These amounts were
$120,290,000 and $70,040,000, respectively, less than such inventories would
have been valued using the FIFO method. Net gains (losses) from foreign currency
transactions were $(175,000) in 1996, $82,000 in 1995, and $51,000 in 1994.

NOTE Q - CONTINGENCIES                        

The Company's operations and earnings have been and may be affected by various
forms of governmental action both in the U.S. and throughout the world. Examples
of such governmental action include, but are by no means limited to: tax
increases and retroactive tax claims; restrictions on production; import and
export controls; price controls; currency controls; allocation of supplies of
crude oil and petroleum products and other goods; expropriation of property;
restrictions and preferences affecting issuance of oil and gas or mineral
leases; laws and regulations intended for the protection and/or remediation of
the environment; promotion of safety; and laws and regulations affecting the
Company's relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, stockholders, and
others. Because governmental actions are often motivated by political
considerations, may be taken without full consideration of their consequences,
and may be taken in response to actions of other governments, it is not
practical to attempt to predict the likelihood of such actions, the form the
actions may take, or the effect such actions may have on the Company.

DOE Matters - In 1994 the Company and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
entered into a Consent Order that settled the last remaining issues related to
DOE regulations that were in effect from 1973 to 1981. The settlement resulted
in a $21,034,000 benefit ($13,871,000 after tax), which was recorded in
"Interest, Income from Equity Companies, and Other Nonoperating Revenues" in the
Consolidated Statement of Income for 1994.

Foreign Crude Oil Contracts - In August 1996, the Ecuadoran government notified
the Company that its contractual arrangement for production of crude oil in
Ecuador must be modified to give the government a larger share of future oil
revenues. As a result, the Company's risk-service contract was replaced by a
production-sharing contract effective January 1, 1997. While the state oil
company, PetroEcuador, has acknowledged that amounts are owed under the former
contract and has indicated its intention to pay, the Company considered the
circumstances surrounding the contract replacement and recorded an $8,876,000
provision for doubtful accounts at December 31, 1996. The Company believes that
it will ultimately realize the net receivable of $13,976,000 at December 31,
1996, but only $2,700,000 of this amount had been collected through February
1997.

In late 1996, the Company negotiated a settlement of abandonment obligations
with other joint owners of former oil properties in Gabon. As a result of this
settlement, the Company recorded a net gain of $8,201,000 in 1996 to adjust for
the dismantlement reserve no longer required.

Environmental Matters - The Company's environmental contingencies are reviewed
in Management's Discussion and Analysis under the section entitled
"Environmental" on page 27.

Forward-Looking Statements - Certain statements in this Annual Report, including
statements of the Company's expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs, are
forward-looking statements that are dependent on certain events, risks, and
uncertainties that may be outside of the Company's control. These
forward-looking statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and
developments could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
statements due to a number of factors including those described in the context
of such forward-looking statements as well as those contained in the Company's
January 15, 1997 Form 8-K on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Other Matters - The Company and its subsidiaries are engaged in a number of
other legal proceedings, all of which the Company considers routine and
incidental to its business and none of which is considered material. In the
normal course of its business activities, the Company is required under certain
contracts with various governmental authorities and others to provide letters of
credit that may be drawn upon if the Company fails to perform under those
contracts. At December 31, 1996, the Company had contingent liabilities of
$21,600,000 on outstanding letters of credit and $17,200,000 under certain
financial guarantees.

42
<PAGE>
 
NOTE R - BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Information about business segments and geographic operations is summarized in
the following tables. Excise taxes on petroleum products of $550,116,000,
$521,250,000, and $524,464,000 for the years 1996, 1995, and 1994 were excluded
from revenues and costs and expenses. Intracompany and affiliated company
transfers are at market prices. Companies accounted for by the equity method are
primarily engaged in the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars)                     1996        1995/1,2/   1994/1/ 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>         <C>
REVENUES FOR THE YEAR                                                          
Exploration and production                                                     
   United States....................     $  265,223     205,604     215,533
   Canada...........................        167,258     139,133     127,122
   United Kingdom...................        130,989     110,789      90,312 
   Ecuador..........................         34,977      26,096       7,905 
   Other international..............          8,799      11,885      16,860 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            607,246     493,507     457,732   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing, and transportation                                        
   United States....................      1,267,029   1,010,967     908,705   
   Canada...........................         24,627      22,589      26,885   
   United Kingdom...................        317,941     254,746     306,297   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1,609,597   1,288,302   1,241,887   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          2,216,843   1,781,809   1,699,619   
Intrasegment transfers elimination..       (208,393)   (169,309)   (118,657)  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total operating revenues......      2,008,450   1,612,500   1,580,962   
Corporate...........................         13,726      19,280      29,754   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $2,022,176   1,631,780   1,610,716   
================================================================================
                                                                               
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR                                           
Exploration and production..........     $  205,734     (97,583)     68,386   
Refining, marketing, and                                                       
  transportation....................         23,361     (42,670)     50,642   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Operating income (loss).......        229,095    (140,253)    119,028   
Nonoperating (charges) credits                                                 
   Income of equity companies.......          1,286       1,348       1,129   
   Income taxes.....................        (90,399)     20,809     (38,363) 
   Corporate revenues                                                        
    (expenses) - net................        (14,026)     (9,823)      7,553  
   Income from discontinued                                                  
    operations......................         11,899       9,307      17,281  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net income (loss)                  $  137,855    (118,612)    106,628   
================================================================================
                                                                               
NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR                                                 
Exploration and production                                                     
   United States....................     $   68,063       3,755      18,128   
   Canada...........................         32,747      21,669      15,097   
   United Kingdom...................         14,729     (11,934)     12,409  
   Ecuador..........................          4,874     (97,320)     (2,392) 
   Other international..............          3,542      (6,755)      8,376  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            123,955     (90,585)     51,618  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing, and transportation                                        
   United States....................          1,773      (3,767)     17,674   
   Canada...........................          6,143       5,544       7,298
   United Kingdom...................          6,186     (35,294)      5,231   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             14,102     (33,517)     30,203   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate                                   (12,101)     (3,817)      7,526   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Income (loss) from continuing                                               
    operations......................        125,956    (127,919)     89,347   
Income from discontinued operations.         11,899       9,307      17,281   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $  137,855    (118,612)    106,628   
================================================================================
                                                                               
ASSETS AT YEAR-END                                                             
Exploration and production                                                     
   United States....................     $  400,964     317,422     386,830   
   Canada...........................        552,745     502,830     415,318   
   United Kingdom...................        307,016     248,493     320,143   
   Ecuador..........................         72,462      64,406     147,643   
   Other international..............         14,238      16,282      22,468   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1,347,425   1,149,433   1,292,402   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing, and transportation                                        
   United States....................        503,791     494,577     500,467   
   Canada...........................         83,497      56,786      55,578   
   United Kingdom...................        151,784     128,952     156,884   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            739,072     680,315     712,929   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate                                   157,289     123,978     148,676   
Net investment in discontinued                                                 
 operations.........................              -     144,740     143,452   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $2,243,786   2,098,466   2,297,459   
================================================================================
                                                                               
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT, AND                                              
 EQUIPMENT FOR THE YEAR                                                      
Exploration and production                                                     
   United States....................     $  149,739      36,064      59,847   
   Canada...........................         91,610      93,612     105,355   
   United Kingdom...................         55,929      27,527      29,063   
   Ecuador..........................         11,732      17,553      52,808   
   Other international..............          4,442       1,907       7,579   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            313,452     176,663     254,652   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing, and transportation                                        
   United States....................         20,868      27,565      80,272    
   Canada...........................          8,468       3,561       2,234   
   United Kingdom...................         13,544      22,476      12,191   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             42,880      53,602      94,697   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate                                     1,192       1,831       4,876   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $  357,524     232,096     354,225   
================================================================================
                                                                               
DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION, AND                                                   
 AMORTIZATION EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR                                           
Exploration and production                                                     
   United States....................     $   60,560      89,669      93,057   
   Canada...........................         30,768      26,707      25,088   
   United Kingdom...................         40,768      50,426      38,601   
   Ecuador..........................          8,945      10,728       3,808   
   Other international..............          6,581       5,195         946   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            147,622     182,725     161,500   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, marketing, and transportation                                        
   United States....................         26,443      25,862      19,928   
   Canada...........................          1,637       1,549       1,573   
   United Kingdom...................          3,767       9,062       9,589   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             31,847      36,473      31,090   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate                                     2,912       2,673       2,409   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         $  182,381     221,871     194,999   
================================================================================
</TABLE>

/1/  Restated for discontinued operations.      
/2/  As set forth in Note C to the consolidated financial statements, the 
     effects from adoption of SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of 
     Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, were:
        Operating income (loss) - a loss of $198,988, $150,301 related to 
         exploration and production and $48,687 to refining, marketing, and  
         transportation.                                                     
        Net income (loss) - a loss of $168,367, $132,798 related to exploration 
         and production ($5,986 United States, $24,197 United Kingdom, $100,000
         Ecuador, and $2,615 other international) and $35,569 related to
         refining, marketing, and transportation - United Kingdom.

                                                                              43
<PAGE>

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                                
The following schedules are presented in accordance with Statement of Financial 
Accounting Standards No. 69 (SFAS No. 69), Disclosures about Oil and Gas        
Producing Activities. The schedules provide users with a common base for        
preparing estimates of future cash flows and comparing reserves among companies.
Additional background information follows concerning four of the schedules.     
                                                                                
SCHEDULES 1 AND 2 - ESTIMATED NET PROVED OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES     
Reserves of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids and natural gas are  
estimated by the Company's engineers and adjusted to reflect contractual        
arrangements and royalty rates in effect at each year-end. Many assumptions and 
judgmental decisions are required to estimate reserves. Quantities reported are 
considered reasonable, but are subject to future revisions, some of which may be
substantial, as additional information becomes available. Such additional       
knowledge may result from: reservoir performance, new geological and geophysical
data, additional drilling, technological advancements, price changes, and other 
economic factors.                                                               
                                                                                
Regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission define proved        
reserves as those volumes of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids and 
natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable    
certainty are recoverable from known reservoirs under existing economic and     
operating conditions. Proved developed reserves are volumes expected to be      
recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. 
Proved undeveloped reserves are volumes expected to be recovered as a result of 
additional investments for drilling new wells on acreage offsetting productive  
units, recompleting existing wells, and/or installing facilities to collect and 
transport volumes produced.                                                     
                                                                                
Production quantities shown are net volumes withdrawn from reservoirs. These may
differ from quantities sold due to inventory changes and, especially in the case
of natural gas, volumes consumed for fuel and/or shrinkage from extraction of   
natural gas liquids. Such differences were insignificant for crude oil and      
liquids, but amounted to approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet in 1996, .5       
billion in 1995, and .7 billion in 1994 for natural gas.                        
                                                                                
The Company has no proved reserves attributable to either long-term supply      
agreements with foreign governments or investees accounted for by the equity    
method.                                                                         
                                                                                
Synthetic oil reserves in Canada are attributable to the Syncrude project, using
an estimated average gross production rate through the year 2025 of 202,400     
barrels a day less estimated net profit royalty. Proved reserves could change if
the future average production rate varies from the estimated rate or the        
operating permit is extended.                                                   
                                                                                
SCHEDULE 4 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
Results of operations from exploration and production activities by geographic
area are reported on this schedule as if these activities were a separate
corporate entity rather than part of an operation that also refines crude oil
and sells refined products. Results of oil and gas producing activities include
certain special items that are reviewed in Management's Discussion and Analysis
(see page 25), and should be considered in conjunction with the Company's
overall performance.

SCHEDULE 6 - STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS RELATING  
TO PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES                                                  
SFAS No. 69 requires calculation of future net cash flows using a 10-percent    
annual discount factor and year-end (1996 and 1995) prices, costs, and statutory
tax rates, except for known future changes such as contracted prices and        
legislated tax rates. Future net cash flows from the Company's interest in      
synthetic oil are excluded.                                                     
                                                                                
The reported value of proved reserves is not necessarily indicative of either   
fair market value or present value of future cash flows because prices, costs,  
and governmental policies do not remain static; appropriate discount rates may  
vary; and extensive judgment is required to estimate the timing of production.  
Other logical assumptions would likely have resulted in significantly different 
amounts. Average crude oil prices at year-end 1996 used for this calculation    
were $24.64 a barrel for the U.S., $21.90 for Canadian light, $12.95 for        
Canadian heavy, $23.35 for Hibernia, $24.06 for the U.K., and $18.10 for        
Ecuador. Average natural gas prices were $3.69 an MCF for the U.S., $1.92 for   
Canada, and $2.46 for the U.K. Oil and natural gas prices have declined sharply 
in early 1997.                                                                  
                                                                                
Schedule 6 also presents the principal reasons for change in the standardized   
measure of discounted future net cash flows for each of the three years ended   
December 31, 1996.                                                              
                                                                                
[GRAPH--ESTIMATED NET PROVED OIL RESERVES]

[GRAPH--ESTIMATED NET PROVED NATURAL GAS RESERVES]

[GRAPH--ESTIMATED NET PROVED HYDROCARBON RESERVES]

44
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

SCHEDULE 1 - ESTIMATED NET PROVED OIL RESERVES                                                                                     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Crude Oil, Condensate, and Natural Gas Liquids    
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Synthetic
                                       United              United                                            Oil--
(Millions of barrels)                  States   Canada*    Kingdom     Ecuador      Gabon     Total         Canada         Total    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>          <C>            <C>  
PROVED                                                                                                                             
January 1, 1994......................    20.0     36.4       26.7       33.6        1.9        118.6          83.8         202.4   
Revisions of previous estimates......     4.3      2.8       (2.5)       2.1       (1.5)         5.2          18.3          23.5   
Purchases............................       -       .5        5.2          -          -          5.7             -           5.7   
Extensions and discoveries...........     5.1      2.7          -          -          -          7.8             -           7.8   
Production...........................    (4.9)    (4.5)      (4.9)       (.7)       (.4)       (15.4)         (3.3)        (18.7)  
Sales................................       -      (.4)         -          -          -          (.4)            -           (.4)  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1994....................    24.5     37.5       24.5       35.0          -        121.5          98.8         220.3   
Revisions of previous estimates......     3.9        -         .7       (3.5)         -          1.1            .7           1.8   
Purchases............................      .2      2.0          -          -          -          2.2             -           2.2   
Extensions and discoveries...........     1.0      3.6       20.3          -          -         24.9             -          24.9   
Production...........................    (5.0)    (5.1)      (5.5)      (1.9)         -        (17.5)         (3.3)        (20.8)  
Sales................................       -     (1.7)         -          -          -         (1.7)            -          (1.7)  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995....................    24.6     36.3       40.0       29.6          -        130.5          96.2         226.7   
Revisions of previous estimates......      .5       .6         .2          -          -          1.3           3.2           4.5   
Extensions and discoveries...........     4.0      3.8       14.6          -          -         22.4             -          22.4   
Production...........................    (4.3)    (5.2)      (4.8)      (2.2)         -        (16.5)         (3.0)        (19.5)  
Sales................................    (6.1)     (.3)         -          -          -         (6.4)            -          (6.4)  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996                        18.7     35.2       50.0       27.4          -        131.3          96.4         227.7   
================================================================================================================================
                                                                                                                                   
PROVED DEVELOPED                                                                                                                   
January 1, 1994......................    13.2     22.4       20.8          -        1.9         58.3          83.8         142.1   
December 31, 1994....................    15.2     23.6       19.2        3.8          -         61.8          80.5         142.3   
December 31, 1995....................    21.3     22.4       19.5        7.8          -         71.0          69.9         140.9   
December 31, 1996....................    16.3     21.4       16.8       10.1          -         64.6          66.9         131.5   
================================================================================================================================  
</TABLE> 
*Excludes 24.7 million barrels of crude oil to be added to proved reserves as
 development of the Hibernia oil field proceeds.          

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

SCHEDULE 2 - ESTIMATED NET PROVED NATURAL GAS RESERVES                                                                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            
                                                        United                      United                                   
(Billions of cubic feet)                                States        Canada       Kingdom         Spain       Total        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>          <C>             <C>        <C>   
PROVED                                                                                                                    
January 1, 1994......................................    429.0         182.7         31.2          10.6        653.5      
Revisions of previous estimates......................     20.2          (2.9)         2.1           1.2         20.6      
Purchases............................................        -            .5            -             -           .5      
Extensions and discoveries...........................     53.2          11.0            -             -         64.2      
Production...........................................    (72.1)        (13.8)        (3.7)         (4.6)       (94.2)     
Sales................................................      (.2)          (.8)           -             -         (1.0)     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          
December 31, 1994....................................    430.1         176.7         29.6           7.2        643.6      
Revisions of previous estimates......................      3.8          (5.2)         1.9            .6          1.1      
Purchases............................................      2.8           5.8            -             -          8.6      
Extensions and discoveries...........................     64.1           2.0         19.8             -         85.9      
Production...........................................    (69.3)        (15.2)        (3.9)         (4.0)       (92.4)     
Sales................................................        -          (4.0)           -             -         (4.0)     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          
December 31, 1995....................................    431.5         160.1         47.4           3.8        642.8      
Revisions of previous estimates......................     19.8          (5.1)         2.1          (1.2)        15.6      
Extensions and discoveries...........................     85.0          15.6            -             -        100.6      
Production...........................................    (58.3)        (15.8)        (5.6)         (2.6)       (82.3)     
Sales................................................    (13.6)         (3.7)           -             -        (17.3)     
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------          
December 31, 1996                                        464.4         151.1         43.9             -        659.4      
====================================================================================================================   

PROVED DEVELOPED                                                                                                          
January 1, 1994......................................    239.1         158.0         28.1          10.6        435.8      
December 31, 1994....................................    221.6         165.0         29.6           7.2        423.4      
December 31, 1995....................................    229.0         150.0         27.6           3.8        410.4      
December 31, 1996....................................    291.1         146.0         25.4             -        462.5      
====================================================================================================================      
</TABLE> 

                                                                              45
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE 3 - COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PROPERTY ACQUISITION, EXPLORATION, 
AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 United                            Synthetic
                                                                United             King-     Ecua-             Sub-    Oil--
(Millions of dollars)                                           States   Canada     dom        dor    Other   total   Canada   Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>      <C>     <C>         <C>      <C>     <C>  <C>       <C> 
Property acquisition costs
   Unproved...................................................  $ 16.9      5.7       -          -        -    22.6        -    22.6
   Proved.....................................................       -        -       -          -        -       -        -       -
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total acquisition costs.................................    16.9      5.7       -          -        -    22.6        -    22.6
Exploration costs.............................................   107.7     10.3    13.2          -      8.9   140.1        -   140.1
Development costs.............................................    60.1     75.7    56.1       11.7        -   203.6      7.7   211.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total capital expenditures                                 184.7     91.7    69.3       11.7      8.9   366.3      7.7   374.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charged to expense                                                     
   Dry hole expense...........................................    17.3      1.7     9.5          -        -    28.5        -    28.5
   Geophysical and other costs................................    17.6      6.1     3.9          -      4.4    32.0        -    32.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total charged to expense                                    34.9      7.8    13.4          -      4.4    60.5        -    60.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenditures capitalized                                        $149.8     83.9    55.9       11.7      4.5   305.8      7.7   313.5
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 


Schedule 4 - Results of Operations for Oil and Gas Producing Activities

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             United                            Synthetic
                                                            United             King-      Ecua-            Sub-    Oil--
(Millions of dollars)                                       States   Canada     dom        dor    Other   total   Canada   Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>    <C> 
Revenues
   Crude oil and natural gas liquids
        Transfers to consolidated operations .............  $ 71.8     57.6    34.4          -       -    163.8     44.6   208.4  
        Sales to unaffiliated enterprises.................    14.3     24.0    67.7       35.0       -    141.0     18.7   159.7  
   Natural gas............................................   147.1     17.3    14.4          -     7.8    186.6        -   186.6   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Total oil and gas revenues...................   233.2     98.9   116.5       35.0     7.8    491.4     63.3   554.7
   Other operating revenues...............................    32.0/1/   5.0    14.5          -     1.0     52.5        -    52.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Total revenues                                  265.2    103.9   131.0       35.0     8.8    543.9     63.3   607.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and deductions
   Production costs.......................................    45.4     30.8    34.7       10.9      .7    122.5     38.0   160.5 
   Exploration expenses...................................    34.9      7.8    13.4          -     4.4     60.5        -    60.5 
   Undeveloped lease amortization.........................     6.5      3.0      .1          -      .1      9.7        -     9.7 
   Depreciation, depletion, and amortization..............    60.5     25.2    40.8        8.9     6.6    142.0      5.6   147.6 
   Impairment of long-lived assets........................       -        -       -          -       -        -        -       - 
   Selling and general expenses...........................    12.7      5.2     3.0         .2     1.3     22.4       .1    22.5 
   (Gain) loss from modifications to foreign crude oil                                                                           
    contracts.............................................       -        -       -        8.8    (8.2)      .6        -      .6 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total costs and deductions                       160.0     72.0    92.0       28.8     4.9    357.7     43.7   401.4 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             105.2     31.9    39.0        6.2     3.9    186.2     19.6   205.8 
Income tax provisions (benefits)..........................    37.1     11.3    24.3        1.2      .4     74.3      7.5    81.8 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results of operations/2/                                    $ 68.1     20.6    14.7        5.0     3.5    111.9     12.1   124.0
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 
/1/Includes pretax gain of $27.9 on sale of onshore properties.
/2/Excludes corporate overhead and interest.

46
<PAGE>
 
SCHEDULE 3 - COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PROPERTY ACQUISITION, EXPLORATION,
AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            1995                        
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              United                          Synthetic          
                                                            United              King-   Ecua-            Sub-     Oil--           
(Millions of dollars)                                       States   Canada      dom     dor    Other   total    Canada  Total   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>   <C>        <C>     
Property acquisition costs                                                                                                       
   Unproved...............................................  $  7.0      3.0       .1       -       .2    10.3         -   10.3   
   Proved.................................................     2.5      4.7        -       -        -     7.2         -    7.2   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
      Total acquisition costs.............................     9.5      7.7       .1       -       .2    17.5         -   17.5   
Exploration costs.........................................    41.7      7.5      6.8       -      9.3    65.3         -   65.3   
Development costs.........................................    20.0     76.8     25.6    17.6      1.6   141.6       7.3  148.9   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
      Total capital expenditures                              71.2     92.0     32.5    17.6     11.1   224.4       7.3  231.7   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Charged to expense                                                                                                               
   Dry hole expense.......................................    25.9      2.9       .7       -      1.4    30.9         -   30.9   
   Geophysical and other costs............................     9.2      2.9      4.3       -      7.8    24.2         -   24.2   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
      Total charged to expense                                35.1      5.8      5.0       -      9.2    55.1         -   55.1   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Expenditures capitalized                                    $ 36.1     86.2     27.5    17.6      1.9   169.3       7.3  176.6   
==============================================================================================================================   
</TABLE> 

SCHEDULE 4 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES   

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                               1995                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                               United                          Synthetic          
                                                             United              King-   Ecua-            Sub-     Oil--           
(Millions of dollars)                                        States   Canada      dom     dor    Other   total    Canada  Total  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
<S>                                                          <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>   <C>        <C>    
Revenues                                                                                                                         
   Crude oil and natural gas liquids                                                                                             
        Transfers to consolidated operations..............  $  67.8     45.7     20.9       -        -   134.4      34.9  169.3  
        Sales to unaffiliated enterprises.................     14.4     22.6     71.7    25.9        -   134.6      20.8  155.4  
   Natural gas............................................    112.8     14.5      9.8       -     11.3   148.4         -  148.4  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
             Total oil and gas revenues...................    195.0     82.8    102.4    25.9     11.3   417.4      55.7  473.1  
   Other operating revenues...............................     10.6        -      8.4      .2       .6    19.8        .6   20.4  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
            Total revenues                                    205.6     82.8    110.8    26.1     11.9   437.2      56.3  493.5    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
Costs and deductions                                                                                                              
   Production costs.......................................     53.5     27.0     36.1    11.6       .1   128.3      39.2  167.5    
   Exploration expenses...................................     35.1      5.8      5.0       -      9.2    55.1         -   55.1    
   Undeveloped lease amortization.........................      6.9      2.3        -       -      1.5    10.7         -   10.7    
   Depreciation, depletion, and amortization..............     89.7     21.9     50.4    10.7      5.3   178.0       4.7  182.7    
   Impairment of long-lived assets........................      9.2        -     38.5   100.0      2.6   150.3         -  150.3    
   Selling and general expenses...........................     14.1      5.6      3.5      .1      1.4    24.7        .1   24.8    
   (Gain) loss from modifications to foreign crude oil                                                                 
    contracts.............................................        -        -        -       -        -       -         -      -    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
            Total costs and deductions                        208.5     62.6    133.5   122.4     20.1   547.1      44.0  591.1    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               (2.9)    20.2    (22.7)  (96.3)    (8.2) (109.9)     12.3  (97.6)   
Income tax provisions (benefits)..........................     (6.6)     6.3    (10.8)    1.0     (1.4)  (11.5)      4.5   (7.0)   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    
Results of operations/2/                                    $   3.7     13.9    (11.9)  (97.3)    (6.8)  (98.4)      7.8  (90.6)   
================================================================================================================================   
</TABLE> 

SCHEDULE 3 - COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PROPERTY ACQUISITION, EXPLORATION, 
AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           1994                                  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                United                         Synthetic         
                                                             United               King-    Ecua-          Sub-     Oil--         
(Millions of dollars)                                        States    Canada      dom      dor   Other  total    Canada    Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>   <C>      <C>      <C> 
Property acquisition costs                                 
   Unproved................................................ $   6.8       2.5        -        -       -    9.3         -      9.3
   Proved..................................................       -      22.2      4.4        -       -   26.6         -     26.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total acquisition costs..............................     6.8      24.7      4.4        -       -   35.9         -     35.9
Exploration costs..........................................    49.2      11.7     11.6        -     4.4   76.9         -     76.9
Development costs..........................................    23.4      68.7     18.2     52.8     5.1  168.2       5.3    173.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total capital expenditures                               79.4     105.1     34.2     52.8     9.5  281.0       5.3    286.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charged to expense                                                                                                               
   Dry hole expense........................................    11.4       2.4      2.8        -       -   16.6         -     16.6
   Geophysical and other costs.............................     8.2       2.6      2.4        -     1.9   15.1         -     15.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total charged to expense                                 19.6       5.0      5.2        -     1.9   31.7         -     31.7
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenditures capitalized                                    $  59.8     100.1     29.0     52.8     7.6  249.3       5.3    254.6
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

SCHEDULE 4 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               1994                              
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                United                           Synthetic          
                                                             United               King-    Ecua-            Sub-     Oil-- 
(Millions of dollars)                                        States    Canada      dom      dor   Other    total    Canada  Total  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>      <C>   <C>        <C> 
Revenues                                                                                                                         
   Crude oil and natural gas liquids                       
        Transfers to consolidated operations .............. $  60.3      27.7        -        -       -     88.0      30.6  118.6
        Sales to unaffiliated enterprises..................    13.4      26.5     77.8      7.9     5.9    131.5      22.1  153.6
   Natural gas.............................................   136.1      19.7      9.0        -    11.7    176.5         -  176.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Total oil and gas revenues....................   209.8      73.9     86.8      7.9    17.6    396.0      52.7  448.7
   Other operating revenues................................     5.7        .5      3.5        -     (.7)     9.0         -    9.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total revenues                                    215.5      74.4     90.3      7.9    16.9    405.0      52.7  457.7
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and deductions                                       
   Production costs........................................    55.5      24.3     32.1      5.9     4.3    122.1      40.0  162.1
   Exploration expenses....................................    19.6       5.0      5.2        -     1.9     31.7         -   31.7
   Undeveloped lease amortization..........................     8.2       2.8        -        -       -     11.0         -   11.0
   Depreciation, depletion, and amortization...............    93.1      19.9     38.5      3.8     1.0    156.3       5.2  161.5
   Impairment of long-lived assets.........................       -         -        -        -       -        -         -      -
   Selling and general expenses............................    13.8       4.6      3.1       .1     1.3     22.9        .1   23.0
   (Gain) loss from modifications to foreign crude oil                                                                   
       contracts...........................................       -         -        -        -       -        -         -      -  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total costs and deductions                        190.2      56.6     78.9      9.8     8.5    344.0      45.3  389.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               25.3      17.8     11.4     (1.9)    8.4     61.0       7.4   68.4
Income tax provisions (benefits)...........................     7.2       7.8     (1.0)      .5       -     14.5       2.3   16.8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results of operations/2/                                    $  18.1      10.0     12.4     (2.4)    8.4     46.5       5.1   51.6
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

/2/Excludes corporate overhead and interest.                               

                                                                              47
<PAGE>

SCHEDULE 5 - CAPITALIZED COSTS RELATING TO OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              Synthetic
                                          United                United                                            Oil--
(Millions of dollars)                     States    Canada     Kingdom       Ecuador      Other     Subtotal     Canada       Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>           <C>   
December 31, 1996
Unproved oil and gas properties......   $   86.2      33.4         1.8             -        8.7        130.1          -       130.1
Proved oil and gas properties........    1,384.1     659.5/1/    703.5         178.8          -      2,925.9      126.5     3,052.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Gross capitalized costs........    1,470.3     692.9       705.3         178.8        8.7      3,056.0      126.5     3,182.5
Accumulated depreciation,
  depletion, and amortization
    Unproved oil and gas properties..      (45.3)    (16.8)        (.9)            -       (3.9)       (66.9)         -       (66.9)
    Proved oil and gas properties/2/.   (1,102.4)   (264.1)     (490.6)       (123.5)         -     (1,980.6)     (13.7)   (1,994.3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net capitalized costs             $  322.6     412.0       213.8          55.3        4.8      1,008.5      112.8     1,121.3
===================================================================================================================================

December 31, 1995
Unproved oil and gas properties......   $   88.5      28.8         7.9             -        4.0        129.2          -       129.2
Proved oil and gas properties........    1,405.9     599.5/1/    582.4         167.1      122.9      2,877.8      119.3     2,997.1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Gross capitalized costs........    1,494.4     628.3       590.3         167.1      126.9      3,007.0      119.3     3,126.3
Accumulated depreciation,
  depletion, and amortization
    Unproved oil and gas properties..      (55.3)    (15.7)        (.8)            -       (3.8)       (75.6)         -       (75.6)
    Proved oil and gas properties/2/.   (1,186.2)   (254.0)     (412.5)       (114.5)    (116.2)    (2,083.4)      (8.8)   (2,092.2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net capitalized costs             $  252.9     358.6       177.0          52.6        6.9        848.0      110.5       958.5
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

/1/ Includes costs of $212.4 in 1996 and $166.2 in 1995 related to oil fields
    under development offshore Newfoundland.
/2/ Does not include reserve for dismantlement costs of $152.5 in 1996 and
    $144.9 in 1995.

SCHEDULE 6 - STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS RELATING 
TO PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES/1/

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                    United                United                                
(Millions of dollars)                                               States     Canada/2/ Kingdom   Ecuador     Other        Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                               <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>     <C>
December 31, 1996
Future cash inflows............................................   $2,218.3      960.7    1,270.3     495.2         -      4,944.5
Future development costs.......................................     (158.1)    (112.3)    (153.4)    (52.4)        -       (476.2)
Future production and abandonment costs........................     (349.6)    (286.5)    (399.3)   (243.2)        -     (1,278.6)
Future income taxes............................................     (551.7)    (119.1)    (203.2)    (68.8)        -       (942.8)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Future net cash flows.....................................    1,158.9      442.8      514.4     130.8         -      2,246.9
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows.........     (346.3)    (164.7)    (166.5)    (48.4)        -       (725.9)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows     $  812.6      278.1      347.9      82.4         -      1,521.0
=================================================================================================================================

December 31, 1995
Future cash inflows............................................   $1,525.3      691.2      824.3     391.2      10.4      3,442.4
Future development costs.......................................     (191.5)    (156.2)    (112.1)    (57.3)        -       (517.1)
Future production and abandonment costs........................     (402.9)    (281.3)    (303.0)   (139.0)     (2.3)    (1,128.5)
Future income taxes............................................     (281.4)     (43.1)    (100.5)    (13.9)     (1.0)      (439.9)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Future net cash flows.....................................      649.5      210.6      308.7     181.0       7.1      1,356.9
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows.........     (222.0)    (100.7)     (91.1)    (89.7)       .2       (503.3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows     $  427.5      109.9      217.6      91.3       7.3        853.6
=================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

/1/ Excludes discounted future net cash flows from synthetic oil of $168.6 at
    December 31, 1996.
/2/ Excludes future net cash flows attributable to 24.7 million barrels of crude
    oil to be added to proved reserves as development of the Hibernia oil field
    proceeds.

Following are the principal sources of change in the standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows for the years shown.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)                                                          1996                1995                 1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                  <C>                  <C> 
Net changes in prices, production costs, and development costs..........   $  643.2                81.3               (225.7)
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net of production costs....     (324.9)             (226.2)              (161.1)
Net change due to extensions and discoveries............................      450.8               298.1                 86.1
Net change due to purchases and sales of proved reserves................     (121.4)                7.5                 35.9
Development costs incurred..............................................      201.5               132.8                173.9
Accretion of discount...................................................      115.6                76.1                 73.3
Revisions of previous quantity estimates................................       54.8                25.4                 46.3
Net change in income taxes..............................................     (352.2)             (153.0)                53.6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Net increase......................................................      667.4               242.0                 82.3
Standardized measure at January 1.......................................      853.6               611.6                529.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standardized measure at December 31                                        $1,521.0               853.6                611.6
============================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

48
<PAGE>
 
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             1996          1995       1994        1993         1992
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>          <C> 
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Net crude oil and condensate production - barrels a day
   United States........................................................   10,614        12,772     12,503      12,864       12,586
   Canada - light oil...................................................    3,774         4,417      4,775       4,546        3,972
            heavy oil...................................................    9,670         8,864      6,840       7,449        5,366
            synthetic oil...............................................    8,163         8,832      9,065           -            -
   United Kingdom.......................................................   12,918        14,588     13,389       6,342        5,931
   Ecuador..............................................................    6,005         5,274      1,967           -            -
   Other international..................................................        -           117      1,038       1,550        1,350
Net natural gas liquids production - barrels a day
   United States........................................................    1,031           964        852         863          768
   Canada...............................................................      689           740        748         697          847
   United Kingdom.......................................................      346           447        151           -            -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                                                53,210        57,015     51,328      34,311       30,820
===================================================================================================================================
Net natural gas sold - thousands of cubic feet a day
   United States........................................................  155,017       189,250    195,555     215,471      188,068
   Canada...............................................................   43,031        40,907     37,945      36,792       30,328
   United Kingdom.......................................................   15,247        10,671     10,138      13,074       12,802
   Spain ...............................................................    7,338        10,898     12,620       9,571       19,402
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total                                                               220,633       251,726    256,258     274,908      250,600
===================================================================================================================================
Total hydrocarbons produced - equivalent barrels/1/ a day                  89,982        98,969     94,038      80,129       72,587
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated net hydrocarbon reserves - million equivalent barrels/1,2/        337.6         333.8      327.6       311.3        210.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average sales prices/3/
   Crude oil and condensate - dollars a barrel
      United States.....................................................   $20.31         16.61      15.36       16.60        18.85
      Canada/4/ - light oil.............................................    19.97         16.45      14.61       15.01        16.69
                  heavy oil.............................................    14.27         12.10      10.56        9.84        11.02
                  synthetic oil.........................................    21.20         17.28      15.92           -            -
      United Kingdom....................................................    21.08         16.96      15.77       16.63        18.86
      Ecuador...........................................................    15.96         13.03      12.07           -            -
      Other international...............................................        -         15.12      14.80       14.14        18.85
   Natural gas liquids - dollars a barrel
      United States.....................................................    17.00         12.62      12.19       13.36        14.71
      Canada/4/.........................................................    13.69          9.70       9.21        9.59         9.74
      United Kingdom....................................................    18.54         13.99      12.16           -            -
   Natural gas - dollars a thousand cubic feet
      United States.....................................................     2.60          1.64       1.91        2.10         1.75
      Canada/4/.........................................................     1.10           .97       1.42        1.22         1.01
      United Kingdom/4/.................................................     2.58          2.53       2.43        2.31         2.86
      Spain/4/..........................................................     2.89          2.88       2.55        2.64         2.58
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net wells completed
   Oil wells - United States............................................      3.7           3.0        2.6         3.0          4.9
               Canada...................................................     41.6          29.6       20.7        24.3         19.1
               Other....................................................      3.6           3.7        2.7         2.0           .3
   Gas wells - United States............................................     14.7           3.6        4.0         8.5          5.1
               Canada...................................................     33.9           2.3       14.5         4.1          2.4
               Other....................................................        -            .2         .4           -           .5
   Dry holes - United States............................................      3.9           1.9        4.1         6.5          5.2
               Canada...................................................      6.5           5.9        6.5         6.9          2.6
               Other....................................................      1.2            .6         .5          .6          2.0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Total                                                                109.1          50.8       56.0        55.9         42.1
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

/1/ Natural gas converted on an energy equivalent basis of 6:1.
/2/ At December 31.
/3/ Includes intracompany and affiliated company transfers at market prices.
/4/ U.S. dollar equivalent.

                                                                              49
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         1996          1995         1994          1993         1992
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C> 
REFINING
Crude capacity* of refineries - barrels per stream day                167,400       167,400      167,400       167,400      167,400
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inputs/yields at refineries - barrels a day
   Crude - Meraux, Louisiana.....................................      93,929        91,940       78,252        78,732       80,842
           Superior, Wisconsin...................................      32,657        33,217       30,592        30,358       26,207
           Milford Haven, Wales..................................      31,300        30,346       32,038        27,991       24,245
   Other feedstocks..............................................       6,315         8,280        8,731        10,350       12,857
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total inputs                                                    164,201       163,783      149,613       147,431      144,151
===================================================================================================================================
   Gasoline......................................................      69,658        73,964       67,746        66,460       67,710
   Kerosine......................................................      14,965        15,113       16,989        16,024       13,338
   Diesel and home heating oils..................................      43,514        39,351       35,553        34,356       32,848
   Residuals.....................................................      19,756        19,641       15,444        16,441       18,474
   Asphalt, LPG, and other.......................................      12,513        10,158       10,077         9,627        7,133
   Fuel and loss.................................................       3,795         5,556        3,804         4,523        4,648
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total yields                                                    164,201       163,783      149,613       147,431      144,151
===================================================================================================================================
Average cost of crude inputs to refineries - dollars a barrel
   United States.................................................     $ 21.05         17.34        15.81         16.81        18.93
   United Kingdom................................................       21.66         17.59        16.32         17.44        19.84
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARKETING
Products sold - barrels a day
   United States - Gasoline......................................      62,476        63,364       60,327        61,577       59,128
                   Kerosine......................................       9,831         9,945       11,911        11,682       10,855
                   Diesel and home heating oils..................      39,374        33,495       30,172        29,252       26,446
                   Residuals.....................................      15,415        14,775       10,454        11,812       12,339
                   Asphalt, LPG, and other.......................       9,008         8,815        7,754         6,519        5,611
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      136,104       130,394      120,618       120,842      114,379
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   United Kingdom - Gasoline.....................................      13,919        14,277       16,601        13,270       13,549
                    Kerosine.....................................       4,353         4,387        6,044         4,660        2,724
                    Diesel and home heating oils.................       8,981         6,647        9,200         7,525        7,112
                    Residuals....................................       4,351         4,993        5,157         5,068        6,245
                    LPG and other................................       2,011           930        3,264         1,996        1,861
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       33,615        31,234       40,266        32,519       31,491
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Canada                                                                 254           283          246           234          172
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total products sold                                             169,973       161,911      161,130       153,595      146,042
===================================================================================================================================
Average gross margin on products sold - dollars a barrel
   United States.................................................     $   .25           .46         1.07           .82          .48
   United Kingdom................................................        2.08          2.26         2.17          3.08         2.67
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Branded retail outlets*
   United States.................................................         527           514          588           606          643
   United Kingdom................................................         424           465          470           428          391
   Canada........................................................           7             7            8             8            7
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline throughputs of crude oil - barrels a day - Canada            183,130       173,720      159,517       151,722      118,050
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOCKHOLDER AND EMPLOYEE DATA
Common shares outstanding* (thousands)...........................      44,862        44,833       44,832        44,808       44,844
Number of stockholders of record*................................       4,093         4,873        4,778         5,265        6,522
Number of employees*.............................................       1,339         1,794        1,767         1,803        1,787
Average number of employees......................................       1,679         1,786        1,778         1,787        1,857
Salaries, wages, and benefits (thousands)........................     $95,583        96,035       93,216        90,734       92,486
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
*At December 31.

50
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

                  Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13
      (1996 Annual Report to Security Holders, Which is Incorporated in 
                                This Form 10-K)
       Providing a Narrative of Graphic and Image Material Appearing on
                      Pages 2 Through 50 of Paper Format

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Map Narrative
- ----------       -------------
<S>              <C> 
     6           Gulf of Mexico - The locations and areal extent of acreage 
                    leased by the Company in the Gulf of Mexico (offshore Texas,
                    Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) are shown.
                    Additionally, each lease is categorized as either: (1)
                    producing or under development; (2) nonproducing; or (3)
                    nonproducing--acquired in 1996.

     9           Western Canada - The locations and areal extent of acreage
                    leased by the Company in British Columbia, Alberta,
                    Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are shown. Specific areas of
                    production are identified by type of production--natural
                    gas, light oil, heavy oil, and oil sands. Additionally,
                    nonproducing acreage held by the Company is identified.

    11           Offshore Eastern Canada - The locations of the Hibernia and
                    Terra Nova oil fields, in the North Atlantic Ocean east of
                    Newfoundland in which the Company holds interests, are
                    shown. Also depicted is the Company's exploration license in
                    the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, midway between the Hibernia and
                    Terra Nova fields.

    12           United Kingdom - The locations and areal extent of producing
                    and nonproducing acreage under license by the Company are
                    shown in the U.K. sector of the North Sea, the West of
                    Shetlands area of the Atlantic Ocean, and offshore Northwest
                    Ireland. Blocks on which the Company has significant oil
                    and/or natural gas production, or significant ongoing
                    development projects, are specifically identified.

    13           China - The location and areal extent of jointly owned Block
                    04/36 in Bohai Bay, offshore Northeast China, are shown.
                    Identified areas include the Block 04/36 discovery area
                    (including locations for the discovery well and two
                    appraisal wells planned for 1997), other exploration
                    prospects on Block 04/36, and nearby onshore production of
                    other companies.

    17           United States - The locations of the Company's refineries in
                    Superior, Wisconsin and Meraux, Louisiana are shown along
                    with depictions of the predominant routes and means of
                    moving crude oil to the refineries, the routes and means of
                    moving finished products from the refineries into marketing
                    areas, the terminal facilities used to store and/or
                    distribute products to wholesalers and consumers, and the
                    areal extent of the Company's marketing territories in 11
                    states in the Southeast and six states in the upper-Midwest.

</TABLE> 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Map Narrative (Continued)
- ----------       -------------
<S>              <C> 
    19           United Kingdom - The Company's jointly owned refinery in
                    Milford Haven, Wales is shown along with depictions of the
                    normal route and means of moving crude oil to the refinery,
                    the routes and means of moving finished products from the
                    refinery into U.K. marketing areas, the locations of
                    terminal facilities used to store and/or distribute products
                    to wholesalers and consumers, and the areal extent of the
                    Company's marketing territory, which covers most of England
                    and southern Wales.

    21           Western Crude Oil Pipeline Systems - The locations are shown
                    in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan of major Canadian crude
                    oil pipelines and two pipeline systems that are partially
                    owned and operated by the Company and deliver heavy oil into
                    one of the major pipelines. In addition, the locations are
                    shown of: (a) two Company-owned pipelines that transport
                    crude oil to the U.S. border for further movement to
                    refining centers in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado through
                    pipelines owned by others; and (b) a partially owned
                    pipeline system in Montana and Wyoming.


                 Picture Narrative
                 -----------------

     2           Claiborne P. Deming, President and Chief Executive Officer of
                    Murphy Oil Corporation, is pictured.

     7           A picture of the West Cameron Block 631 production platform 
                    located in 325 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico 125 
                    miles south of Cameron, Louisiana is shown. The Company
                    began producing natural gas from this field in February
                    1997, and net production will amount to over 40 million
                    cubic feet a day by mid-1997.

     8           A jack-up drilling rig is pictured drilling a successful well
                    on Destin Dome Block 57 in the Gulf of Mexico in 1996. The
                    well tested at a gross rate of 41 million cubic feet of
                    natural gas a day. A plan of development for the Destin Dome
                    Block 56 unit was filed with the Minerals Management Service
                    in 1996.

    10           A picture of three drilling rigs is shown in the Cactus Lake 
                    heavy oil field in Saskatchewan. The rigs were used to drill
                    horizontal wells that allow oil production of two to ten
                    times that of vertical wells. Thermal processes (steam
                    injection) will further enhance heavy oil production from
                    this and nearby heavy oil fields in 1997.

    10           A night view is shown of the processing and upgrading facility
                    at Syncrude Canada Ltd. near Fort McMurray, Alberta. This
                    plant's capacity will be increased to 81 million barrels of
                    synthetic crude oil production a year by the time the new
                    North mine becomes operational in 1999.
</TABLE> 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Picture Narrative (Contd.)
- ----------       -----------------
<S>              <C> 
    11           Two pictures are shown of the components of the Hibernia
                    floating production facility that were mated in early 1997.
                    One picture shows the topsides module, and the other shows
                    the floating Gravity Base Structure. The mated facility will
                    be towed to the production site during the summer in
                    anticipation of first oil production by the end of 1997.

    15           A view is shown of the Murphy USA gasoline station built in 
                    1996 near a SAM'S Club store in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
                    Several more Murphy USA stations will be opened in 1997 on
                    land leased from Wal-Mart in the Company's southeastern
                    marketing area.

    16           A view is shown from the eastern edge of the Company's 100,000
                    -barrel-a-day refinery at Meraux, Louisiana; the refinery
                    established a record for crude oil processed per day in
                    1996, primarily due to high onstream rates for the
                    refinery's principal units.

    18           A view is shown of the completed high-pressure distillate 
                    hydrotreater unit at the 30-percent owned Milford Haven,
                    Wales refinery. The hydrotreater unit enables the refinery
                    to meet new specifications for low-sulfur diesel fuel sold
                    in the U.K. market.

    19           A recently redeveloped station in Cross Hands, Wales is 
                    depicted; this station is one of 126 Company-owned stations
                    operating in the U.K. at the end of 1996.

    20           Construction of the new 40-mile North-Sask dual pipeline is
                    shown. The pipeline provides the Company an additional
                    source of heavy oil for the Manito pipeline system, and also
                    allows more consistent and economical transportation of the
                    Company's heavy oil production from the Tangleflags field.


                 Graph Narrative
                 ---------------

     5           INCOME CONTRIBUTION* - EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION 
                    Scale - 0 to 120 (millions of dollars).
<CAPTION> 

                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995       1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----       ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>       <C> 
                    Income*                                     35.9       36.9        45.2       29.5      101.8
                                                                ====       ====        ====       ====      =====
</TABLE> 
                        *Before special items.
                    This is a vertical bar graph with each year's value printed
                    above the appropriate bar.



                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Graph Narrative (Continued)
- ----------       ---------------

     5           CAPITAL EXPENDITURES - EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION 
                    Scale - 0 to 600 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>         <C> 
                    Proved Property Acquisitions (top)          13.9      259.7        26.6        7.2           -
                    Development Costs                           36.8      195.8       173.5      148.9       211.3
                    Exploration Costs (bottom)                  87.4       64.6        86.2       75.6       162.7
                                                               -----      -----       -----      -----       -----
                       Totals                                  138.1      520.1       286.3      231.7       374.0
                                                               =====      =====       =====      =====       =====
</TABLE> 
                    This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                    printed above the appropriate bar.

     5           NET HYDROCARBONS PRODUCTION
                    Scale 0 to 120 (thousands of barrels a day on an energy 
                    equivalent basis).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>          <C> 
                    Other International (top)                    4.6        3.2         5.1        7.2         7.2
                    United Kingdom                               8.1        8.5        15.2       16.8        15.8
                    Canada                                      15.2       18.8        27.8       29.7        29.5
                    United States (bottom)                      44.7       49.6        45.9       45.3        37.5
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                       Totals                                   72.6       80.1        94.0       99.0        90.0
                                                                ====       ====        ====       ====        ====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.

     8           CRUDE OIL AND NGL PRODUCTION
                    Scale 0 to 70 (thousands of barrels a day).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>          <C> 
                    Other International (top)                    1.3        1.6         3.0        5.4         6.0
                    United Kingdom                               5.9        6.3        13.5       15.0        13.3
                    Canada - Synthetic Oil                         -          -         9.1        8.9         8.2
                    Canada - Other Oil                          10.2       12.7        12.4       14.0        14.1
                    United States (bottom)                      13.4       13.7        13.3       13.7        11.6
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                       Totals                                   30.8       34.3        51.3       57.0        53.2
                                                                ====       ====        ====       ====        ====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.

     8           NATURAL GAS SALES
                    Scale 0 to 320 (millions of cubic feet a day).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C> 
                    Spain (top)                                 19.4        9.5        12.6       10.9         7.3
                    United Kingdom                              12.8       13.1        10.1       10.7        15.3
                    Canada                                      30.3       36.8        38.0       40.9        43.0
                    United States (bottom)                     188.1      215.5       195.6      189.2       155.0
                                                               -----      -----       -----      -----       -----
                       Totals                                  250.6      274.9       256.3      251.7       220.6
                                                               =====      =====       =====      =====       =====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.


                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Graph Narrative (Continued)
- ----------       ---------------

    15           INCOME CONTRIBUTION* - REFINING, MARKETING, AND
                 TRANSPORTATION
                    Scale 0 to 40 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C> 
                    Income*                                      8.0       31.5        30.2        2.0        14.1
                                                                ====       ====        ====        ===        ====
</TABLE> 
                         *Before special items.
                    This is a vertical bar graph with each year's value printed
                    above the appropriate bar.

    15           CAPITAL EXPENDITURES - REFINING, MARKETING, AND
                 TRANSPORTATION
                    Scale 0 to 120 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C> 
                    Transportation (top)                         6.0        3.6         3.2        3.5         8.7
                    Marketing                                   14.1       16.9        17.0        9.2         8.8
                    Refining (bottom)                           48.0       66.4        74.5       40.9        25.4
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                       Totals                                   68.1       86.9        94.7       53.6        42.9
                                                                ====       ====        ====       ====        ====
</TABLE> 
                    This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                    printed above the appropriate bar.

    15           REFINED PRODUCTS SOLD
                    Scale 0 to 200 (thousands of barrels a day).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C> 
                    United Kingdom (top)                        31.5       32.5        40.3       31.2        33.6
                    United States (bottom)                     114.5      121.1       120.8      130.7       136.4
                                                               -----      -----       -----      -----       -----
                       Totals                                  146.0      153.6       161.1      161.9       170.0
                                                               =====      =====       =====      =====       =====
</TABLE> 
                    This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                    printed above the appropriate bar.

    21           CANADIAN PIPELINE THROUGHPUTS
                    Scale 0 to 200 (thousands of barrels a day).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C> 
                    Throughputs                                118.1      151.7       159.5      173.7       183.1
                                                               =====      =====       =====      =====       =====
</TABLE> 
                    This is a vertical bar graph with each year's value printed
                    above the appropriate bar.

    22              INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE SPECIAL ITEMS 
                    Scale 0 to 120 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                1992       1993        1994       1995        1996
                                                                ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C> 
                    Income Before Special Items                 46.3       63.1        69.0       24.1       103.8
                                                                ====       ====        ====       ====       =====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a vertical bar graph with each year's value printed
                   above the appropriate bar.

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Graph Narrative (Continued)
- ----------       ---------------

    22           NET CASH PROVIDED BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS
                    Scale 0 to 525 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 1992       1993        1994       1995     1996
                                                                 ----       ----        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    Cash Provided                               276.4      347.7       312.3      309.9    472.5
                                                                =====      =====       =====      =====    =====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a vertical bar graph with each year's value printed
                   above the appropriate bar.

    22           STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AT YEAR-END
                    Scale 0 to 1,500 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 1992       1993        1994       1995     1996
                                                                 ----       ----        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    Stockholders' Equity                        1,200      1,222       1,271      1,101    1,027*
                                                                =====      =====       =====      =====    =====
</TABLE> 
                       *Reflects distribution of common stock of Deltic Timber
                        Corporation.
                   This is a vertical bar graph with each year's value printed
                   above the appropriate bar.

    23           INCOME CONTRIBUTION FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BY
                 FUNCTION*
                    Scale 0 to 140 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                        1994       1995     1996
                                                                                        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                                                 <C>        <C>     <C> 
                    Refining, Marketing, and Transportation                             30.2        2.0     14.1
                    Exploration and Production (bottom)                                 45.2       29.5    101.8
                                                                                        ----       ----    -----
                       Totals                                                           75.4       31.5    115.9
                                                                                        ====       ====    =====
</TABLE> 
                         *Excludes Corporate and special items.
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with the value for each
                   element printed within or beside the element.

    24           RANGE OF U.S. CRUDE OIL SALES PRICES
                    Scale 10 to 28 (dollars a barrel).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                        1994       1995     1996
                                                                                        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                                                <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    High Monthly Crude Oil Price (top of bar)                          17.58      18.06    24.32
                    Average Crude Oil Price (colored line)                             15.36      16.61    20.31
                    Low Monthly Crude Oil Price (bottom of bar)                        12.71      15.42    17.41
</TABLE> 
                   This is a floating vertical bar graph with a
                   contrasting-color line between the top and bottom each year
                   and highs printed above bars, averages printed above colored
                   lines, and lows printed below bars.

    24           RANGE OF U.S. NATURAL GAS SALES PRICES
                    Scale 1.00 to 4.00 (dollars a thousand cubic feet).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                        1994       1995     1996
                                                                                        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                                                 <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    High Monthly Natural Gas Price (top of bar)                         2.40       2.45     3.68
                    Average Natural Gas Price (colored line)                            1.91       1.64     2.60
                    Low Monthly Natural Gas Price (bottom of bar)                       1.42       1.39     2.01
</TABLE> 
                   This is a floating vertical bar graph with a
                   contrasting-color line between the top and bottom each year
                   and highs printed above bars, averages printed above colored
                   lines, and lows printed below bars.

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Graph Narrative (Continued)
- ----------       ---------------

    25           EXPLORATION EXPENSES
                    Scale 0 to 80 (millions of dollars).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                        1994       1995     1996
                                                                                        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                                                <C>         <C>      <C> 
                    Undeveloped Lease Amortization (top)                                11.0       10.7      9.7
                    Geological, Geophysical, and Other Costs                            15.1       24.2     32.0
                    Dry Hole Costs (bottom)                                             16.6       30.9     28.5
                                                                                        ----       ----     ----
                       Totals                                                           42.7       65.8     70.2
                                                                                        ====       ====     ====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.

    26           CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IN 1996
                    (millions of dollars).

                    Corporate - $1.2 (top)
                    Refining, Marketing, and Transportation - $42.9
                    Exploration and Production - $374 (bottom)
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with "Total - $418.1"
                   printed below graph.

    44           ESTIMATED NET PROVED OIL RESERVES
                    Scale 0 to 250 (millions of barrels).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 1992       1993        1994       1995     1996
                                                                 ----       ----        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    Other International (top)                    37.4       35.5        35.0       29.6     27.4
                    United Kingdom                               13.1       26.7        24.5       40.0     50.0
                    Canada                                       22.3      120.2       136.3      132.5    131.6
                    United States (bottom)                       23.2       20.0        24.5       24.6     18.7
                                                                 ----      -----       -----      -----    -----
                       Totals                                    96.0      202.4       220.3      226.7    227.7
                                                                 ====      =====       =====      =====    =====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.

    44           ESTIMATED NET PROVED NATURAL GAS RESERVES 
                    Scale 0 to 800 (billions of cubic feet).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 1992       1993        1994       1995     1996
                                                                 ----       ----        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                         <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    Spain (top)                                   4.1       10.6         7.2        3.8        -
                    United Kingdom                               35.4       31.2        29.6       47.4     43.9
                    Canada                                      200.4      182.7       176.7      160.1    151.1
                    United States (bottom)                      445.4      429.0       430.1      431.5    464.4
                                                                -----      -----       -----      -----    -----
                       Totals                                   685.3      653.5       643.6      642.8    659.4
                                                                =====      =====       =====      =====    =====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.


                                      A-7
<PAGE>
 
                    MURPHY OIL CORPORATION - CIK 0000717423

             Appendix to Electronically Filed Exhibit 13 (Contd.)

Exhibit 13
 Page No.        Graph Narrative (Continued)
- ----------       ---------------
    44           ESTIMATED NET PROVED HYDROCARBON RESERVES
                    Scale 0 to 400 (millions of barrels on an energy equivalent
                    basis).
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                 1992       1993        1994       1995     1996
                                                                 ----       ----        ----       ----     ----
                    <S>                                         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>      <C> 
                    Other International (top)                    38.1       37.2        36.2       30.2     27.4
                    United Kingdom                               19.0       31.9        29.4       47.9     57.3
                    Canada                                       55.7      150.7       165.8      159.2    156.8
                    United States (bottom)                       97.4       91.5        96.2       96.5     96.1
                                                                -----      -----       -----      -----    -----
                       Totals                                   210.2      311.3       327.6      333.8    337.6
                                                                =====      =====       =====      =====    =====
</TABLE> 
                   This is a stacked vertical bar graph with each year's total
                   printed above the appropriate bar.

                                      A-8

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21

                            MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

            SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                            Percentage
                                                                                            of Voting
                                                                                            Securities
                                                                      State or Other         Owned by
                                                                       Jurisdiction         Immediate
                       Name of Company                               of Incorporation        Parent
- ----------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------       ----------
<S>                                                                  <C>                    <C> 
MURPHY OIL CORPORATION (REGISTRANT)
  A.   El Dorado Engineering Inc.                                         Delaware              100.0
       1.  El Dorado Contractors Inc.                                     Delaware              100.0
  B.   Murphy Eastern Oil Company                                         Delaware              100.0
  C.   Murphy Exploration & Production Company (formerly
        Ocean Drilling & Exploration Company)                             Delaware              100.0
       1.  Canam Offshore A. G. (Switzerland)                             Switzerland           100.0
       2.  Canam Offshore Limited                                         Bahamas               100.0
           a.  Odeco Drilling Limited                                     Bahamas               100.0
           b.  Rimrock Offshore Limited                                   Bahamas               100.0
       3.  El Dorado Exploration, S.A.                                    Delaware              100.0
       4.  Mentor Holding Corporation                                     Delaware              100.0
           a.  Mentor Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Company          Delaware              100.0
           b.  Mentor Insurance and Reinsurance Company                   Louisiana             100.0
           c.  Mentor Insurance Limited                                   Bermuda                99.993
               (1)  Mentor Insurance Company (U.K.) Limited               England               100.0
               (2)  Mentor Underwriting Agents (U.K.) Limited             England               100.0
       5.  MEPCO Venezuela, Ltd.                                          Bahamas               100.0
       6.  Murphy Building Corporation                                    Delaware              100.0
       7.  Murphy Denmark Oil Company                                     Delaware              100.0
       8.  Murphy Ecuador Oil Company Ltd.                                Bermuda               100.0
       9.  Murphy Equatorial Guinea Oil Company                           Delaware              100.0
      10.  Murphy France Oil Company                                      Delaware              100.0
      11.  Murphy Indus Energy Ltd.                                       Bahamas               100.0
      12.  Murphy Ireland Oil Company                                     Delaware              100.0
      13.  Murphy Italy Oil Company                                       Delaware              100.0
      14.  Murphy New Zealand Oil Company                                 Delaware              100.0
      15.  Murphy Overseas Ventures Inc.                                  Delaware              100.0
      16.  Murphy Pacific Rim, Ltd.                                       Bahamas               100.0
      17.  Murphy Pakistan Oil Company                                    Delaware              100.0
      18.  Murphy Peru Oil Company, S.A.                                  Panama                100.0
      19.  Murphy Somali Oil Company                                      Delaware              100.0
      20.  Murphy-Spain Oil Company                                       Delaware              100.0
      21.  Murphy Western Oil Company                                     Delaware              100.0
      22.  Murphy Yemen Oil Company                                       Delaware              100.0
      23.  Norske Murphy Oil Company                                      Delaware              100.0
      24.  Norske Ocean Exploration Company                               Delaware              100.0
      25.  Ocean Exploration Company                                      Delaware              100.0
      26.  Ocean France Oil Company                                       Delaware              100.0
      27.  Ocean Gabon Oil Company                                        Delaware              100.0
      28.  Ocean International Finance Corporation                        Delaware              100.0
      29.  Ocean Spain Oil Company                                        Delaware              100.0
      30.  Odeco Gabon Oil Company                                        Delaware              100.0
      31.  Odeco International Corporation                                Panama                100.0
      32.  Odeco Italy Oil Company                                        Delaware              100.0
      33.  Sub Sea Offshore (M) Sdn. Bhd.                                 Malaysia               60.0
</TABLE> 

                                    Ex. 21-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                             EXHIBIT 21 (CONTD.)

                            MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

        SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 (CONTD.)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                            Percentage
                                                                                            of Voting
                                                                                            Securities
                                                                      State or Other         Owned by
                                                                       Jurisdiction         Immediate
                       Name of Company                               of Incorporation        Parent
- ----------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------       ----------
<S>                                                                  <C>                    <C> 
MURPHY OIL CORPORATION (REGISTRANT) - Contd.
   D.  Murphy Oil Company, Ltd.                                           Canada                100.0
       1.  340236 Alberta Ltd.                                            Canada                100.0
       2.  Manito Pipelines Ltd.                                          Canada                 52.5
       3.  Murphy Atlantic Offshore Oil Company Ltd.                      Canada                100.0
       4.  Wascana Pipe Line Ltd.                                         Canada                100.0
   E.  Murphy Oil USA, Inc.                                               Delaware              100.0
       1.  Arkansas Oil Company                                           Delaware              100.0
       2.  Murphy Gas Gathering Inc.                                      Delaware              100.0
       3.  Murphy Latin America Refining & Marketing, Inc.                Delaware              100.0
       4.  Murphy LOOP, Inc.                                              Delaware              100.0
       5.  Murphy Oil Trading Company (Eastern)                           Delaware              100.0
       6.  Spur Oil Corporation                                           Delaware              100.0
   F.  Murphy Ventures Corporation                                        Delaware              100.0
   G.  New Murphy Oil (UK) Corporation                                    Delaware              100.0
       1.  Murphy Petroleum Limited                                       England               100.0
           a.  Murco Petroleum Limited                                    England               100.0
               (1)  Alnery No. 166 Ltd.                                   England               100.0
               (2)  European Petroleum Distributors Ltd.                  England               100.0
               (3)  H. Hartley (Doncaster) Ltd.                           England               100.0
               (4)  Murco Petroleum (Ireland) Ltd.                        Ireland               100.0
</TABLE> 

                                    Ex. 21-2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 23



                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
                         -----------------------------


The Board of Directors
Murphy Oil Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 
2-82818, 2-86749, and 2-86760) on Form S-8 and (No. 33-55161) on Form S-3 of
Murphy Oil Corporation of our report dated March 4, 1997, relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of Murphy Oil Corporation and Consolidated
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated
statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in
the December 31, 1996, annual report on Form 10-K of Murphy Oil Corporation.
Our report refers to changes in 1995 in the method of accounting for the
impairment of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets to be disposed of.



KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Shreveport, Louisiana
March 25, 1997

                                    Ex. 23-1

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED
FROM THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND THE
AUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996,
OF MURPHY OIL CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         109,707
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  334,928
<ALLOWANCES>                                    15,267
<INVENTORY>                                    131,355
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               610,169
<PP&E>                                       4,130,436
<DEPRECIATION>                               2,573,606
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,243,786
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          554,041
<BONDS>                                        201,828
<COMMON>                                        48,775
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     978,703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,243,786
<SALES>                                      1,916,599
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,022,176
<CGS>                                        1,666,295
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,666,295
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                70,206
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,918
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                216,355
<INCOME-TAX>                                    90,399
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            125,956
<DISCONTINUED>                                  11,899
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   137,855
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     3.07
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     3.07
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1


                                  UNDERTAKINGS

     To be incorporated by reference into Form S-8 Registration Statements No.
2-82818, 2-86749 and 2-86760, and Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 33-55161.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

         (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;

         (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the 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;

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     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 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.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus to each
employee to whom the prospectus is sent or given a copy of the registrant's
annual report to stockholders for its last fiscal year, unless such employee
otherwise has received a copy of such report, in

                                   Ex. 99.1-1
<PAGE>
 
which case the registrant shall state in the prospectus that it will promptly
furnish, without charge, a copy of such report on written request of the
employee.  If the last fiscal year of the registrant has ended within 120 days
prior to the use of the prospectus, the annual report of the registrant for the
preceding fiscal year may be so delivered, but within such 120 day period the
annual report for the last fiscal year will be furnished to each such employee.

     (2) To transmit or cause to be transmitted to all employees participating
in the plan who do not otherwise receive such material as stockholders of the
registrant, at the time and in the manner such material is sent to its
stockholders, copies of all reports, proxy statements and other communications
distributed to its stockholders generally.

     Where interests in a plan are registered herewith, the undersigned
registrant and plan hereby undertake to transmit or cause to be transmitted
promptly, without charge, to any participant in the plan who makes a written
request, a copy of the then latest annual report of the plan filed pursuant to
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Form 11-K).  If such
report is filed separately on Form 11-K, such form shall be delivered upon
written request.  If such report is filed as a part of the registrant's annual
report on Form 10-K, that entire report (excluding exhibits) shall be delivered
upon written request.  If such report is filed as a part of the registrant's
annual report to stockholders delivered pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this
undertaking, additional delivery shall not be required.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
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 registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

                                   Ex. 99.1-2


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