news releases

Occidental Elects E.A. 'Sandy' Lowe Vice President

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11, 2008 -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced today that the Board of Directors has elected Sandy Lowe a Vice President of the corporation.

Mr. Lowe, 57, is Executive Vice President, International Production and Engineering for Oxy Oil and Gas. He oversees all oil and gas international producing assets, and the engineering and major project development functions. Mr. Lowe joined Occidental in 1978.

About Oxy

Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America regions. Oxy is the fourth largest U.S. oil and gas company, based on equity market capitalization. Oxy's wholly owned subsidiary, OxyChem, manufactures and markets chlor-alkali products and vinyls. Occidental is committed to safeguarding the environment, protecting the safety and health of employees and neighboring communities and upholding high standards of social responsibility in all of the company's worldwide operations.

CONTACT:   Occidental Petroleum Corporation
           Media
           Richard S. Kline 
             310-443-6249
             richard_kline@oxy.com
           Investors
           Chris Stavros
             212-603-8184
             chris_stavros@oxy.com
           www.oxy.com