The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of matters presented at the meeting. Your proxy will be voted at the meeting unless you (i) revoke it at any time before the vote by filing a revocation with the Corporate Secretary of the Company, (ii) duly execute a proxy card bearing a later date or (iii) appear at the meeting and vote in person. If you voted via the Internet, mobile device or telephone, you can change your vote with a timely and valid later vote or by voting by ballot at the meeting. Proxies returned to the Company, votes cast other than in person and written revocations will be disqualified if received after commencement of the meeting. If you elect to vote your proxy card or as directed on the Notice or vote by telephone, mobile device or internet as described in the telephone/mobile device/internet voting instructions on your proxy card or Notice, the Company will vote your shares as you direct. Your telephone/mobile device/internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you had marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the meeting will be counted by the persons appointed by the Company to act as Judges of Election for the meeting. The Judges of Election will treat shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and for purposes of determining the outcome of any other business submitted at the meeting to the stockholders for a vote. Abstentions, however, do not constitute a vote “against” any matter.

The Judges of Election will treat shares referred to as “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and that the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power to vote on a non-routine matter) as shares that are present and entitled to vote on routine matters and for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. The proposal to approve or disapprove the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year should be considered a routine matter. However, for purposes of determining the outcome of any non-routine matter as to which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will be treated as not present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter (even though those shares are considered entitled to vote for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other matters). Accordingly, broker non-votes will be disregarded in the calculation of “votes cast” and will have no effect on the vote. Notably, the election of directors, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, the advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation and the proposal to approve or disapprove the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics should be considered non-routine matters.

Unless specification to the contrary is made, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted FOR all the nominees for director, FOR the approval of the advisory vote for the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, for the option of ONE YEAR as the frequency with which stockholders are provided an advisory vote on executive compensation, FOR approval of the proposed 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Metrics and FOR approval of the action of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in appointing KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.

The expenses of printing and distributing proxy material, including expenses involved in forwarding materials to beneficial owners of stock, will be paid by the Company. The Company’s officers or employees, without additional compensation, may solicit the return of proxies from certain stockholders by telephone or other means.

On March 13, 2017, the record date for the meeting, the Company had 172,544,891 shares of Common Stock outstanding, all of one class and each share having one vote with respect to all matters to be voted on at the meeting. This amount does not include 22,510,833 shares of treasury stock. Information as to Common Stock ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth in the tables on pages 14 and 15 (“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management”).

The Board recognizes that it is important for the Company’s directors to possess a diverse array of backgrounds and skills, whether in terms of executive management leadership or educational achievement. When considering new candidates, the Nominating & Governance Committee, with input from the Board, takes into account these factors as well as other appropriate characteristics, such as sound judgment, honesty, and integrity. In addition, the Nominating & Governance Committee, when searching for nominees for directors, relies on the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which state, “The Company endeavors to have a board representing diverse experience at policy-making levels in business areas that are relevant to the Company’s global activities.” The goal is to assemble and maintain a Board comprised of individuals that not only bring to bear a wealth of business and/or technical expertise, but that also demonstrate a commitment to ethics in carrying out the Board’s responsibilities with respect to oversight of the Company’s operations.

To the extent authorized by the proxies, the shares represented by the proxies will be voted in favor of the election of the twelve nominees for director whose names are set forth herein. If for any reason any of these nominees is not a candidate when the election occurs, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted for the election of the other nominees named and may be voted for any substituted nominees or the Board may reduce its size. However, management of the Company does not expect this to occur.

All nominees other than Ms. Elisabeth Keller were elected at the last Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Ms. Keller, recommended by members of the Company’s Board of Directors, was elected to the Board of Directors effective December 6, 2016. One director, Ms. Caroline G. Theus, has attained retirement age and will not stand for re-election.

All directors other than Mr. Roger Jenkins have been deemed independent by the Board based on the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the standards of independence included in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. As part of its independence recommendation to the Board, the Nominating & Governance Committee at its February meeting considered familial relationships (Mr. Deming, Mr. Murphy and Ms. Keller are first cousins). The Committee also considered a hangar rental agreement with Union Holdings LLC (Mr. Murphy) which was determined to be a fair market value transaction at the rate of $6,000 annually.

Mr. Deming, the independent non-employee Chairman of the Board serves as presiding director at regularly scheduled board meetings as well as at no less than three meetings solely for non-employee directors. The meetings for non-employee directors are held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled February, August and December board meetings, at least one of which includes only independent non-employee directors.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

The positions of Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company are held by two individuals. Mr. Deming serves as the Chairman of the Board as a non-executive and independent director. Mr. Jenkins is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Along with the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, other directors bring different perspectives and roles to the Company’s management, oversight and strategic development. The Company’s directors bring experience and expertise from both inside and outside the company and industry, while the Chief Executive Officer is most familiar with the Company’s business and industry, and most capable of leading the execution of the Company’s strategy. The Board believes that separating the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is currently in the best interest of stockholders because it provides the appropriate balance between strategy development and independent oversight of management. The Board will, however, maintain its flexibility to make this determination at any given point in time to provide appropriate leadership for the Company.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board exercises risk management oversight and control both directly and indirectly, the latter through various Board Committees. The Board regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s credit, liquidity and operations, including the risks associated with each. The Executive Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of financial risks and the ethical conduct of the Company’s business, including the steps the Company has taken to monitor and mitigate these risks. The Nominating & Governance Committee, in its role of reviewing and maintaining the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, manages risks associated with the independence of the Board and potential conflicts of interest. The Health, Safety & Environmental Committee oversees management of risks associated with environmental, health and safety issues. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly informed through committee reports and by management about the known risks to the strategy and the business of the Company.

COMMITTEES

The standing committees of the Board are the Executive Committee, the Audit Committee, the Executive Compensation Committee, the Nominating & Governance Committee and the Health, Safety & Environmental Committee.

The Executive Committee, in accordance with the Company’s by-laws, is vested with the authority to exercise certain

functions of the Board when the Board is not in session. The Executive Committee is also in charge of all financial, legal and general administrative affairs of the Company, subject to any limitations prescribed by the by-laws or by the Board.

The Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint or replace the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, which reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also assists the Board with its oversight of the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function, the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements, and the review of programs related to compliance with the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Audit Committee meets with representatives of the independent registered public accounting firm and with members of the internal Auditing Department for these purposes. The Board has designated Neal E. Schmale as its “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K. All of the members of the Audit Committee including Mr. Schmale are independent under the rules of the NYSE and the Company’s independence standards.

The Executive Compensation Committee oversees the compensation of the Company’s executives and directors and administers the Company’s annual incentive compensation plan, the long-term incentive plan and the stock plan for non-employee directors. All of the members of the Executive Compensation Committee are independent under the rules of the NYSE and the Company’s independence standards. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section contains additional information about the Executive Compensation Committee. In carrying out its duties, the Executive Compensation Committee will have direct access to outside advisors, independent compensation consultants and others to assist them.

The Nominating & Governance Committee identifies and recommends potential Board members, recommends appointments to Board committees, oversees evaluation of the Board’s performance and reviews and assesses the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Company. All of the members of the Nominating & Governance Committee are independent under the rules of the NYSE and the Company’s independence standards. Information regarding the process for evaluating and selecting potential director candidates, including those recommended by stockholders, is set out in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Stockholders desiring to recommend candidates for membership on the Board for consideration by the Nominating & Governance Committee should address their recommendations to: Nominating & Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Murphy Oil

Since 2003, the Company’s standard arrangement for compensation of non-employee directors has included a combination of cash and equity. Directors can elect to defer their cash compensation into the Company’s Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (“NED DCP Plan”) which was approved by the Board of Directors on February 3, 2016. Deferred amounts are deemed to be notionally invested in the Company’s Stock Fund. The column below showing “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” includes any amounts that were voluntarily deferred to the NED DCP Plan. Mr. Mirosh (Canadian citizen) does not have the opportunity to defer cash compensation in this manner.

In 2016, the cash component consisted of an annual retainer of $60,000, plus $2,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. In February 2016, the Chairman of the Board requested his supplemental retainer remain at a reduced rate of 50% to $57,500. Supplemental retainers were also paid to the Audit Committee Chairman ($15,000), the Audit Committee Financial Expert ($10,000), other members of the Audit Committee ($7,500), the Executive Compensation Committee Chairman ($15,000) and the Chair of each other committee ($10,000). The Company also reimburses directors for reasonable travel, lodging and related expenses they incur in attending Board and committee meetings.

In 2016, the total equity compensation for non-employee directors was reduced to $150,000. Each non-employee director, other than Ms. Keller, received 7,789 time-based restricted stock units on February 3, 2016, which cliff vest after three years. Ms. Keller was elected to the Board of Directors on December 6, 2016, and was awarded at that time equivalent equity-based compensation on a pro-rated basis. Her award consisted of 376 time-based restricted stock units, which vest over the period beginning December 6, 2016, and ending on February 3, 2019.

The non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the matching gift program on the same terms as Murphy employees. Under this program, an eligible person’s total gifts of up to $12,500 per calendar year will qualify. The Company will contribute to qualified educational institutions and hospitals an amount equal to twice the amount (2 to 1) contributed by the eligible person. The Company will contribute to qualified welfare and cultural organizations an amount equal to (1 to 1) the contribution made by the eligible person. Those amounts are in the column below showing “All Other Compensation”.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company’s Common Stock are required to report their ownership of the Company’s Common Stock and any changes in that ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Specific due dates for these reports have been established and the Company is required to report in this Proxy Statement any failure to file by these dates. Based upon a review of the copies of the reports filed by the Company’s directors and executive officers pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and on representations from such reporting persons the Company believes that all such persons complied with all applicable filing requirements during fiscal 2016.

REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS AND CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

During 2016, the Company did not have any transactions with related persons required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and no such transactions are currently proposed. The Nominating & Governance Committee reviews ordinary course of business transactions with related parties, including firms associated with directors and nominees for director. The Company’s management also monitors such transactions on an ongoing basis. Executive officers and directors are governed by the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which provides that waivers may only be granted by the Board and must be promptly disclosed to stockholders. No such waivers were granted or applied for in 2016. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines require that all directors recuse themselves from any discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional interests.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) enables the Company’s stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules. The Company has determined to submit Named Executive Officer compensation to an advisory (non-binding) vote annually. At the 2016 Annual Meeting, stockholders endorsed the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers with over 97% of the votes cast supporting the proposal.

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain the Named Executive Officers, who are critical to the Company’s success. Under these programs, the Named Executive Officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals, corporate goals, and the realization of increased stockholder value. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” along with the information in the compensation tables for additional details about the executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal year 2016 compensation of the Named Executive Officers.

Stockholders are asked to indicate their support for the Named Executive Officer compensation as described in this

proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the Named Executive Officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, stockholders are requested to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2016 Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.”

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Executive Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and the Executive Compensation Committee value the opinions of stockholders and to the extent there is a significant vote against the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Executive Compensation Committee will consider stockholders’ concerns and will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) enables stockholders to recommend how frequently the Company should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s compensation disclosure rules, such as Proposal 2 above. By voting on this Proposal 3, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation once every one, two, or three years or to abstain from voting.

After careful consideration of this Proposal, the Board of Directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for Murphy and therefore recommends that stockholders vote for a one-year interval for the advisory vote on executive compensation.

In formulating its recommendation, the Board of Directors considered that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow stockholders to provide the Company

with direct input on the Company’s compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year. Additionally, an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is consistent with the Company’s policy of seeking input from, and engaging in discussions with, stockholders on corporate governance matters and its executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. The Company understands that stockholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for Murphy, and it looks forward to hearing from stockholders on this Proposal.

Stockholders are asked to indicate their preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting in response to the resolution set forth below:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company advise that an advisory resolution with respect to executive compensation should be presented every one, two or three years as reflected by their votes for each of these alternatives in connection with this resolution.”

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s CEO or any of the company’s three most highly compensate executive officers (other than the CFO) who are employed as of the end of the year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for “performance-based” compensation. Market-priced stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) are two examples of performance-based compensation. Other types of awards, such as restricted stock and restricted stock units that are granted pursuant to pre-established objective performance formulas, may also qualify as fully-deductible performance-based compensation, so long as certain requirements are met. One of the requirements for compensation to qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m) is that the use of multiple criteria requires re-approval of the goals by stockholders at least every five years.

The 2012 LTI Plan is structured so as to qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m). While the Company contemplates continuing to use total shareholder return as the performance criteria for the performance-based awards, the 2012 LTI Plan also includes a list of possible performance criteria that could be used for determination of performance-based awards including:

For Awards intended to comply with the Performance-Based Exception, the Committee shall set the Performance Measures within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the Code. The levels of performance required with respect to Performance Measures may be expressed in absolute or relative levels and may be based upon a set increase, set positive result, maintenance of the status quo, set decrease or set negative result. Performance Measures may differ for Awards to different Grantees. The Committee shall specify the weighting (which may be the same or different for multiple objectives) to be given to each performance objective for purposes of determining the final amount payable with

respect to any such Award. Any one or more of the Performance Measures may apply to the Grantee, a department, unit, division, or function within the Company or any one or more affiliates; and may apply either alone or relative to the performance of other businesses or individuals (including industry or general market indices). The Committee shall have the discretion to adjust the determination of the degree of attainment of the pre-established performance goals; provided that Awards which are designed to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception may not be adjusted upward (the Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust

such Awards downward). The Committee may not delegate any responsibility with respect to Awards intended to qualify for the Performance-Based Exception. All determinations by the Committee as to the achievement of the Performance Measure(s) shall be in writing prior to payment of the Award.

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, the performance measures of the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.”

CEO COMPENSATION

The CEO recognized a reduction in his 2015 total target direct compensation for fiscal year 2016 in consideration of the Company’s performance during the year. In February 2016, the Committee elected to hold the CEO’s base salary fixed at the level established at the end of fiscal year 2014, $1,300,000. Mr. Jenkins’ annual incentive award (cash bonus, payable in first quarter 2017) was paid at the level of $1,950,000, which represents 111% of his target award opportunity. In February 2016, the Committee granted the CEO long-term incentive compensation with a grant date fair value of $3,517,415, which represents a 63% reduction in the target value of long-term compensation compared to 2015. In aggregate, Mr. Jenkins’ total direct compensation for 2016 was $6,767,415 which is a 44.27% reduction in total compensation from his 2015 level.

OTHER NEO COMPENSATION

In February 2016, the Committee approved the recommendation from the CEO to hold base salaries fixed at current levels for the other NEOs.

STOCKHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

The Company values the feedback and insights that it receives from its stockholders through ongoing dialogue. At the 2016 Annual Meeting, a proposal seeking an advisory vote on executive compensation for the Company’s NEOs (see “Tabular Information for Named Executive Officers”) was submitted to stockholders. Stockholders endorsed the Company’s NEO compensation, with over 97% of the votes cast indicating approval.

The Committee oversees and approves the compensation of the Company’s NEOs. The Committee currently consists of four members, all of whom have been determined by the Board to satisfy the heightened independence requirements of the NYSE and the Company’s categorical independence standards. The Nominating & Governance Committee recommends nominees for appointment to the Committee annually and as vacancies or newly created positions occur. Committee members are appointed and approved by the Board and may be removed by the Board at any time. Members of the Committee during 2016 were Neal E. Schmale (Chair), T. Jay Collins, Walentin Mirosh and Jeffrey W. Nolan.

The Committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the Chief Executive Officer and other NEO compensation and evaluates the CEO’s performance in light of these goals and objectives. Any decisions regarding the CEO’s compensation are made solely by the Committee based on that evaluation. For NEOs other than the CEO, the Committee considers the performance evaluations made by the CEO and the recommendations of the CEO.

The Committee administers and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s incentive and equity-based compensation plans, and it reviews and approves awards granted under such plans.

As set forth in its charter, which can be found on the Company’s website, the Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of director, CEO or senior executive compensation and has the sole authority to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. Advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors is also available to the Committee. In 2016, the Committee retained Pay Governance LLC as an independent compensation consultant. All Pay Governance invoices were approved by the Committee’s Chair prior to payment. In its role as an advisor to the Committee, Pay Governance attended three Committee meetings and provided the Committee with objective and expert analyses, independent advice and information with respect to executive and director compensation. Pay Governance does not provide any other consulting services to the Committee or to the Company, other than those dealing with executive compensation and the compensation of non-employee directors. The Committee periodically evaluates the performance and independence of Pay Governance. In 2016, Pay Governance delivered a letter to the Committee that provided full disclosure relating to Pay Governance LLC’s relationship to the Company, taking into account the SEC’s Consultant Independence Factors and Pay Governance’s Independence Policy. The Committee has determined that there are no business or personal relationships between Pay Governance and the members of the Committee or the Company’s executive officers that may create a conflict of interest impairing Pay Governance’s ability to provide independent objective advice to the Committee.

Pay Governance provides the Committee with, among other things, an analysis of trends and compensation data for general industry, the oil and gas industry and a select group of comparator companies within the oil and gas industry. In 2016 the Committee used two separate peer groups in designing the compensation programs for the Company: the compensation peer group and the TSR peer group.

In late 2015, as well as in early 2016, the Committee conducted a detailed assessment of the peer group compositions. In February 2016, the Committee ultimately concluded that bifurcating the peer group into a separate group of companies which have more complex global operations with commensurate employee skill sets are those types of organizations with which Murphy competes for executive and management talent and are more appropriate for compensation benchmarking purposes. However, the Committee further determined that ConocoPhillips had grown to a size and scope of operations that far exceeded the magnitude of Murphy’s operations, and that Encana Corporation was a more appropriate comparator company for inclusion within Murphy’s peer group. Therefore, for 2016, the Committee removed ConocoPhillips from the Murphy peer comparison and benchmarking process and replaced ConocoPhillips with Encana Corporation in both the full TSR peer group and the compensation comparator group. In October 2016, the Committee again reviewed the composition of the peer companies and determined that the 2016 bifurcated peer group remains representative of Murphy’s operations. Therefore, it approved utilizing the same peer groups for 2017. The table below sets forth the 2016 historical and 2017 peer groups for Murphy.

In addition to comparator company information, the Committee uses Mercer Human Resource Consulting Energy 27 survey information to determine competitive market pay levels for the NEOs. The Committee also reviews a special analysis of the competitive pay levels of the Company’s compensation peer group in establishing pay levels for the CEO and NEOs.

The Committee generally takes action on compensation matters, including the grant of long-term incentive awards, at its meeting held in conjunction with the February Board meeting. The exercise price of stock options is based on the average of the high and the low market price for the Company’s shares on the date of grant. At this meeting the Committee also considers adjustments to NEO base salary, annual incentive bonus opportunities and grants of long-term incentive awards. The Committee also meets at other times during the year as necessary and, in 2016, met four times. A copy of the Committee’s charter can be found on the Company’s website, http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61237&p=irol-govHighlights.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Committee bases its executive compensation decisions on principles designed to align the interests of executives with those of stockholders. The Committee intends compensation to provide a direct link with the Company’s objectives, business strategies and financial results. In order to motivate, attract and retain key executives who are critical to its long-term success, the Company believes that its pay package should be competitive with others in the oil and gas industry. In addition, the Company believes that executives should be rewarded for both the short-term and long-term success of the Company and, conversely, be subject to a degree of downside risk in the event that the Company does not achieve its performance objectives. In order to promote the long-term, as well as short-term interests of the Company, and to more closely align the interests of its key employees to those of its stockholders, the Company uses a mix of short-term and long-term incentives in its compensation packages. Individuals in primary positions to influence the growth of stockholder wealth have larger portions of their total compensation delivered in the form of equity-based long-term incentives. To this end, executives have a compensation package which includes a base salary, participation in a cash-based annual incentive plan, participation in an equity-based long-term incentive plan and certain other compensation, including customary benefits as discussed in Section D of Elements of Compensation. In addition, the compensation package for the CEO includes limited personal use of Company aircraft. The Company believes that this combination of base salary, short-term incentives, long-term incentives and employee benefits provides the best balance between the need for the Company

to provide executive compensation which is competitive in the marketplace and therefore necessary for recruiting and retention, and the desire to have management’s interests, motivations and prosperity aligned with the interests of the Company’s stockholders.

The Company had no employment agreements with the NEOs in effect in 2016. In connection with his appointment to President and CEO, Mr. Jenkins has a Severance Protection Agreement dated August 7, 2013. The Company had no other severance protection, change in control or termination agreements with the NEOs in effect in 2016. Under the terms of the Company’s incentive plans, in the event of a change in control, each NEO would retain his “earned” compensation and all outstanding equity awards held by each NEO would vest, become immediately exercisable or payable, or have all restrictions lifted as may apply to the type of the award. Entry into employment or other agreements with the NEOs may be considered from time to time.

At the Company’s Annual Meeting of stockholders held on May 11, 2016, the Company’s stockholders had the opportunity to cast an advisory vote (a “say-on-pay” proposal) to approve the compensation of the NEOs, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the meeting. Stockholders approved the say-on-pay proposal by the affirmative vote of over 97% of the shares cast on that proposal. While the Committee believes this affirms stockholders’ support of the Company’s approach to executive compensation during 2015, and therefore did not materially change the overall approach to executive compensation in 2016, the Committee will continue to consider the outcome of the Company’s say-on-pay votes when making future compensation decisions for the NEOs.

At the 2011 Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders had the opportunity to cast an advisory vote (a “say-on-frequency” proposal) on how often the Company should include a say-on-pay proposal in its proxy statements for future annual meetings. Stockholders had the choice of voting to have the say-on-pay vote every year, every two years or every three years. The frequency receiving the highest number of votes was every year. In accordance with this vote, the Board decided to hold the say-on-pay advisory vote every year.

The Committee generally seeks to structure executive compensation in a tax efficient manner. The 2012 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”), the 2017 Annual Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”) and the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 LTI Plan”) are intended to provide performance-based compensation that is deductible under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Committee has not elected to adopt a policy requiring compensation to be tax deductible to maintain flexibility in structuring executive compensation to attract highly qualified executive talent and to further our business goals and compensation philosophy.

RISK EVALUATION

In order to monitor the risk associated with executive compensation, in October 2016, the Committee reviewed a report from Pay Governance assessing the risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices. The Committee agreed with the report’s findings that these risks were within the Committee’s ability to effectively monitor and manage and the programs do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking and do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION

The Company’s executive compensation program includes a base salary, participation in an annual cash-based incentive plan, long-term incentive compensation, employee benefits and limited perquisites. The Committee believes that a majority of an executive officer’s total direct compensation opportunity should be performance-based. The Committee determines an executive’s total direct compensation opportunity based on compensation peer company information and survey data provided by Pay Governance to ensure the program is competitive with the compensation peer group in order to attract and retain talented executives.

The elements of the Company’s executive compensation program are outlined herein.

A.    Base Salary

The objectives of the base salary component of compensation include:

The Company targets the median (“50^th percentile”) of competitive market pay levels for the base salary of the NEOs. The Company targets the 50th percentile because it believes that it allows the organization to recruit, attract, and retain qualified management talent having the requisite skills and competencies to manage the Company and to deliver additional value for stockholders. In practice, some executives

are paid above or below the 50th percentile because of their individual job performance, time in the position, and/or tenure with the Company, and in some cases, potential for advancement. Executives’ salaries are ultimately determined based on the market pay levels, as well as a combination of experience, duties and responsibilities, individual performance, Company performance, general economic conditions and marketplace compensation trends. In consideration of the downturn in the oil and gas market and general economic conditions, the Committee made no adjustments to the base salaries of its Named Executive Officers in 2016 as follows:

B.    Annual Incentive Plan

The objectives of the Company’s annual incentive program are:

The Committee targets the 50^th percentile (median) of competitive market pay levels for its annual target incentive compensation because the Committee believes it allows the Company to motivate its executives. Executives have the opportunity to be compensated above the median of market pay levels when the Company has above market performance based on established performance measures. In February 2016, the Committee reviewed an analysis of the top executives prepared by Pay Governance. For 2016, the target bonus percentages of the Company’s NEOs were at the median of the competitive market and no adjustments were made.

C. Long-term Incentive Compensation

The objectives of the Company’s long-term incentive program include:

Long-term incentive NEO compensation for 2016 included the grant of fixed-price stock options, time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2012 LTI Plan. Stock options are designed to align the interests of executives with the performance of the Company over the long term. The exercise or grant price of fixed-priced stock options equals the average of the high and the low of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Fixed-price stock options are inherently performance-based because option holders realize no economic benefit

unless the Company’s stock price increases in value subsequent to the grant date. This aligns the optionees’ interests with that of stockholders. The vesting of performance-based restricted stock units is based upon the Company’s TSR relative to that of the TSR peer group (as described above).

On February 2, 2016, the Committee granted equity awards pursuant to the 2012 LTI Plan to each of the NEOs at that time. The value was split 50% in performance-based restricted stock units, 25% in stock options and 25% in time-based restricted stock units on an expected value basis. The Committee believes these awards are effective and appropriate methods of equity compensation. Stock options are particularly effective at aligning the interests of management and stockholders, but results can be skewed by movements in the stock market as a whole. Conversely, performance unit awards’ value is largely based on the Company’s performance relative to that of its peers, but does not necessarily equate with shareholder return.

On April 6, 2016, the Committee granted time-based restricted stock units to Mr. Coleman and Mr. McFadyen as a retention tool pursuant to the 2012 LTI Plan which will vest on April 6, 2021, and pay out as soon as practicable thereafter. They will be forfeited if the individual resigns or is terminated for cause prior to this date.

The Company generally targets the median of competitive market pay levels for the annual grant value of long-term incentive compensation. When determining the size of the equity-based awards to the executives and the total number of shares available for equity-based award grants for all management employees for the fiscal year, the Committee considers survey data provided by the Committee’s compensation consultant, overall Company performance, internal equity, and individual performance, as well as the proportion of the total shares outstanding used for annual equity-based award grants and the potential dilution to the Company’s stockholders. In 2016, due to the continued low commodity prices, the Company made long-term incentive grants to the NEOs at the same number of equity-based

awards grants as made in 2015, equating to approximately 36% of the value of each individual’s long-term incentive target guideline. To maintain parity with the other operational EVP, Mr. McFadyen’s 2016 long-term incentive grants equaled approximately 47% of his 2015 equity-based grants due to the exchange rate disparity between the U.S. and Canadian dollar. These guidelines, provided by the Committee’s independent consultant from the Mercer Human Resource Consulting Energy 27 Survey, were constructed around the 50th percentile (median) competitive data. Total grants to all 2012 LTI Plan participants made in 2016 equaled 0.95% of the Company’s outstanding shares. NEO grants were as follows:

The Company has never engaged in the process of backdating stock options and does not intend to do so in the future. The exercise price for all stock options is equal to the fair market value (average of daily high and low) on the date of the grant.

The Company’s stock option awards granted from 2006 onward provide for payment of the aggregate exercise price to be automatically net settled in stock, which reduces dilution. Thus upon exercise, shares having an aggregate fair market value equal to both the exercise price and the amount of statutory minimum withholding taxes are withheld by the Company, and only net shares are delivered to the holder of the option. The Company’s stock options, all of which are non-qualified, vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, and unless otherwise forfeited or exercised, expire seven years from the date of the grant.

Time-based restricted stock units awarded in February 2016 vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. Dividend equivalents are accumulated during the performance period and pay out only if the underlying units vest and are earned. Holders of time-based restricted stock units do not have any voting rights.

Performance-based restricted stock units awarded in 2016 will be eligible to vest in three years based on how the Company’s TSR compares to the TSR of an index of the comparator group of energy companies (identified above).

The 2016 performance unit awards contain four equally weighted measurement periods: year 1; year 2; year 3; and years 1-3 combined. Achievement of the 50th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group is required for vesting and payment of 100% of the target performance-based restricted stock units awarded, achievement of the 90th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group is required for vesting and payment of 150% of the target performance-based restricted stock units awarded, and achievement of the 25th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group is required for the vesting and payment of 50% of the target performance-based restricted stock units awarded. A prorated percentage of performance-based restricted stock units can vest and be paid for performance between the 25th and 90th TSR percentiles. No payment is made for achievement below the 25th percentile TSR of the TSR peer group. Dividend equivalents are accumulated during the performance period and pay out only to the extent that the underlying units vest and are earned. Holders of performance-based restricted stock units do not have any voting rights.

Fixed-price stock options and performance-based restricted stock units granted under the 2012 LTI Plan are intended to qualify as tax-deductible “performance-based” compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. Time-based restricted stock units, which are time-based awards, do not quality as performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m). As noted above, the Committee currently uses three principal forms of long-term incentive compensation: fixed-price stock options, time-based restricted

stock units and performance-based restricted stock units. While the Committee expects to continue to use these same three principal forms of equity-based incentives going forward, it is possible that the Committee may adopt a different long-term incentive compensation strategy in future years in response to changes in the competitive marketplace, regulatory actions, and/or changes to business strategy. In order to provide for flexibility going forward, the 2012 LTI Plan provides possible alternative long-term equity incentive vehicles in addition to stock options and restricted stock units, including stock appreciation rights, performance shares, phantom units, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based incentives. The 2012 LTI Plan includes a list of other performance criteria that could be used for determination of performance-based awards.

During 2016, the Company granted 811,500 shares as Full Value Awards. As of December 31, 2016, the number of shares available for future grants of Full Value Awards under the 2012 LTI Plan was 2,209,556.

D. Employee Benefits and Perquisites

The objectives of the Company’s employee benefits and perquisites program are:

The Company’s executives are provided usual and customary employee benefits available to all employees. These include thrift savings (401(k)), life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, medical/dental insurance, vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, and a Company-sponsored pension plan. Effective with the spin-off of

Murphy’s former U.S. retail marketing operation, Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA) on August 30, 2013, significant modifications were made to the U.S. defined benefit pension plan. Certain Company employees’ benefits under the U.S. plan were frozen at that time. No further benefit service will accrue for the affected employees; however, the plan will recognize future earnings after the spin-off. In addition, all previously unvested benefits became fully vested at the spin-off date. For those affected active employees of the Company, additional U.S. retirement plan benefits will accrue in future periods under a cash balance formula. The NEOs are excluded from the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) because they are eligible for long-term stock incentives and the ESPP was established as a vehicle for employees to acquire stock.

Tax regulations adversely affect certain highly compensated employees by restricting their full participation in qualified pension and defined contribution (thrift) plans. In an effort to provide the same level of retirement benefit opportunity for all employees, the Company maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). The purpose of the SERP is to restore pension plan and thrift plan benefits which are not payable under such plans because of certain specified benefit and compensation limitations under tax regulations. The benefit to the Company of this arrangement is the retention and long-term service of employees who are otherwise unprotected by employment contracts. The SERP is unfunded and is subject to general credit of the Company. Other than the SERP, the Company does not offer a deferred compensation alternative to the NEOs. The Committee also provides to Mr. Jenkins a maximum of 50 flight hours each year in the continental United States on Company aircraft as part of his total compensation package. Mr. Jenkins utilized 48.2 hours out of the 50 approved hours with an aggregate incremental cost to the Company of $154,745, as reported in the 2016 Summary Compensation Table. The Standard Industry Fare Level rate was used to determine the income reportable to Mr. Jenkins for these trips, and the Company has not provided any tax gross-up or other tax assistance with respect to the income recognized for use of the Company aircraft.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Executive Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on the review and discussions, the Executive Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Neal E. Schmale (Chair)

T. Jay Collins

Walentin Mirosh

Jeffrey W. Nolan