MURPHY OIL CORP 10-K

Item 1A. Risk Factors - Continued climate change-focused review of regulations and other executive actions promulgated, issued or adopted during the prior Presidential administration. These actions and any future changes to applicable environmental, health and safety, regulatory and legal requirements promulgated by the current presidential administration and Congress may restrict our access to additional acreage and new leases in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico or lead to limitations or delays on our ability to secure additional permits to drill and develop our acreage and leases or otherwise lead to limitations on the scope of our operations, or may lead to increases to our compliance costs. The potential impacts of these changes on our future consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows cannot be predicted. Prices and availability of crude oil, natural gas and refined products could be influenced by political factors 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 expropriation, tax changes, royalty increases, redefinition of international boundaries, preferential and discriminatory awarding of oil and natural gas leases, restrictions on drilling and/or production, restraints and controls on imports and exports, safety, and relationships between employers and employees. Governments could also initiate regulations concerning matters such as currency fluctuations, currency conversion, protection and remediation of the environment, and concerns over the possibility of global warming caused by the production and use of hydrocarbon energy. As of December 31, 2021, 0.1% of the Company’s proved reserves, as defined by the SEC, were located in countries other than the U.S. and Canada. A number of non-governmental entities routinely attempt to influence industry members and government energy policy in an effort to limit industry activities, such as hydrocarbon production, drilling and hydraulic fracturing with the desire to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which may harm air quality, and to restrict hydrocarbon spills, which may harm land and/or groundwater. Additionally, because of the numerous countries in which the Company operates, certain other risks exist, including the application of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other similar anti-corruption compliance statutes in the jurisdictions in which we operate. It is not possible to predict the actions of governments and hence the impact on Murphy’s future operations and earnings. Murphy’s insurance may not be adequate to offset costs associated with certain events, and there can be no assurance that insurance coverage will continue to be available in the future on terms that justify its purchase. Murphy maintains insurance against certain, but not all, hazards that could arise from its operations. The Company maintains liability insurance sufficient to cover its share of gross insured claim costs up to approximately $500 million per occurrence and in the annual aggregate. Generally, this insurance covers various types of third-party claims related to personal injury, death and property damage, including claims arising from “sudden and accidental” pollution events. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for property damage and well control with an additional limit of $450 million per occurrence ($875 million for Gulf of Mexico claims), all or part of which could apply to certain sudden and accidental pollution events. These policies have deductibles ranging from $10 million to $25 million. The occurrence of an event that is not insured or not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in the future. Murphy could face long-term challenges to the fossil fuels business model reducing demand and price for hydrocarbon fuels. As environmental and social trends change towards less carbon intensive energy sources, Murphy’s business model may come under more pressure from changing global demands for non-fossil fuel energy sources. As part of Murphy’s strategy review process, the Company reviews hydrocarbon demand forecasts and assesses the impact on its business model and plans. The Company also has significant natural gas reserves which emit lower carbon compared to oil and liquids. The issue of climate change has caused considerable attention to be directed towards initiatives to reduce global GHG emissions. The Paris Agreement and COP26 have resulted in commitments from many countries to reduce GHG emissions and have called for parties to eliminate certain fossil fuel subsidies and pursue further action on non-carbon dioxide GHGs. In addition, the federal government could issue various executive orders that may result in additional laws, rules and regulations in the area of climate change. It is possible that the Paris 25 Table of Contents PART I Item 1A. Risk Factors - Continued Agreement, COP26, government executive orders and other such initiatives, including foreign, federal and state laws, rules or regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, may reduce the demand for crude oil and natural gas globally. In addition to regulatory risk, other market and social initiatives such as public and private initiatives that aim to subsidize the development of non-fossil fuel energy sources, may reduce the competitiveness of carbon-based fuels, such as oil and gas. While the magnitude of any reduction in hydrocarbon demand is difficult to predict, such a development could adversely impact the Company and other companies engaged in the exploration and production business. With or without renewable-energy subsidies, the unknown pace and strength of technological advancement of non-fossil-fuel energy sources creates uncertainty about the timing and pace of effects on our business model. The Company continually monitors the global climate change agenda initiatives and plans accordingly based on its assessment of such initiatives on its business. Lawsuits against Murphy and its subsidiaries could adversely affect its operating results. The Company or certain of its consolidated subsidiaries are involved in numerous legal proceedings, including lawsuits for alleged personal injuries, property damages and other business-related matters. Certain of these claims may take many years to resolve through court and arbitration proceedings or negotiated settlements. In the opinion of management and based upon currently known facts and circumstances, the currently pending legal proceedings are not expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s operations or financial condition. 26 Table of Contents PART I Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS The Company had no unresolved comments from the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as of December 31, 2021.