PENNZOIL CO /DE/
DEFA14A, 1998-04-06
PETROLEUM REFINING
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                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
                  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
            the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )
 
    Filed by the Registrant /X/
    Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
 
    Check the appropriate box:
    / /  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
         14a-6(e)(2))
    / /  Definitive Proxy Statement
    /X/  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 
         240.14a-12
                               PENNZOIL COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
/X/  No fee required

/ /  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 
     and 0-11

    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
        filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

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    (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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    (5) Total fee paid:

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/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
    0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
    previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
    or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

    (1) Amount Previously Paid:

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    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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    (3) Filing Party:

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    (4) Date Filed:

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[PENNZOIL LOGO]           Public Relations Department           Pennzoil Company
                          P.O. Box 2967                             N E W S
                          Houston, Texas  77252-8200


                     PENNZOIL AND SHAREHOLDER WYSER-PRATTE
                       SETTLE PROXY FIGHT AND LITIGATION



     HOUSTON (April 3, 1998) -- Pennzoil Company (NYSE-PZL) and Guy P. 
Wyser-Pratte, a Pennzoil shareholder seeking election to Pennzoil's Board at 
its annual shareholders meeting on May 7, 1998, have negotiated a settlement, 
ending the proxy contest and terminating all litigation between them.

     The settlement specifies a process for Pennzoil's Board to select one 
new independent director to be added to the Board not later than September 
30, 1998. The new director will be chosen from a list of candidates which 
will be compiled and screened by a national search firm with input from 
Pennzoil's institutional shareholders, including Mr. Wyser-Pratte. The 
candidates will have a background in the academic, financial, or investment 
communities and will be independent, meaning that they have no present or 
former employment by Pennzoil or any significant financial or personal ties 
to Pennzoil or its management.

     In addition, pursuant to the settlement, Pennzoil will modify its 
existing shareholder rights plan to incorporate a "chewable" feature into the 
pill. The modifications will afford an exemption for a fully-financed 
all-cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Pennzoil common stock 
which provides a premium to shareholders of at least 35 percent over market 
price during a 20-day trading pricing period and meets certain other 
requirements. Pennzoil will file copies of its amendment to its shareholder 
rights plan implementing this change with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission within two weeks.
                                       


                                     -more-
<PAGE>

     Mr. Wyser-Pratte praised Pennzoil for adopting changes to its 
shareholder rights plan that are consistent with proposals he has made and 
place Pennzoil at the forefront of good corporate governance. He noted that 
Pennzoil had also recently adopted a bylaw giving shareholders the right to 
call a special meeting, which he applauded. "Together, these provisions 
demonstrate an admirable commitment to being responsive to shareholders," Mr. 
Wyser-Pratte said.

     Finally, under the settlement, Mr. Wyser-Pratte is withdrawing his 
nomination for election to Pennzoil's Board as well as the Bylaw amendments 
and other proposals which he was scheduled to submit at the annual 
shareholders meeting.



CONTACT:                                                CONTACT:
Bob Harper                                              Eric Longmire
Pennzoil Company                                        Senior Managing Director
(713) 546-8536                                          Wyser-Pratte & Co., Inc.
                                                        (212) 495-5357



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