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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) JULY 22, 2002
NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE 76-0304436
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1021 MAIN, SUITE 2100, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 652-0706
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ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
On July 22, 2002, Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") was dismissed as independent
accountant for Nuevo Energy Company (the "Company") effective upon that date and
KPMG LLP ("KPMG") was appointed as the new independent accountant for the
Company to replace Andersen for the year ending December 31, 2002. The Company
announced this change in independent public accountants in a press release, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The decision to dismiss
Andersen and to appoint KPMG was recommended by the Audit Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors, and was approved by the Company's Board.
Andersen's report on the Company's financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2001, KPMG's report on the Company's financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 did not contain an
adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During Andersen's appointment from March 9, 2001 through July 22, 2002,
there were no disagreements with Andersen on any matter of accounting principles
or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Andersen, would have
caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in
connection with its report.
As required under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the
Company provided Andersen with a copy of this Item and requested that Andersen
furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it
agrees with the statements by the Company in this Item and, if not, stating the
respects in which it does not agree. We were informed that because of its
current situation, Andersen would not be able to provide such a letter.
KPMG was Nuevo's independent accountant for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2000. KPMG's report on the Company's financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 did not contain an adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope or accounting principles.
As required under Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the
Company provided KPMG with a copy of this Item and requested that KPMG furnish
the Company with a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees
with the statements by the Company in this Item and, if not, stating the
respects in which it does not agree. A copy of such letter, dated July 22, 2002
is filed herewith as Exhibit 16.
ITEM 7. EXHIBITS
(a) EXHIBITS
16 Letter from KPMG to the Securities and Exchange Commission
99.1 Press release dated July 22, 2002 announcing the
appointment of KPMG LLP as the Registrant's independent
auditors.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY
(Registrant)
Date: July 22, 2002 By: /s/ James L. Payne
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James L. Payne
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: July 22, 2002 By: /s/ Janet F. Clark
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Janet F. Clark
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
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16 Letter from KPMG to the Securities and Exchange Commission
99.1 Press release dated July 22, 2002 announcing the
appointment of KPMG LLP as the Registrant's independent
auditors.