Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration No. 333–105536

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

January 23, 2007

(To Prospectus dated January 30, 2004)

 

$1,500,000,000

 

 

$500,000,000 5.625% Notes due 2017

$1,000,000,000 6.000% Notes due 2037

 

 

 

 

Apache Corporation is offering $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.625% notes due 2017 and $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.000% notes due 2037. Interest on the notes will be paid semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2007. The 5.625% notes due 2017 will mature on January 15, 2017 and the 6.000% notes due 2037 will mature on January 15, 2037. We may redeem some or all of each series of notes at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices calculated as described in this prospectus supplement under “Description of Notes — Optional Redemption.” The notes are not subject to any sinking fund. The notes will be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

 

The notes will be our general unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness from time to time outstanding.

 

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

		Per 2017								Per 2037
		Note				Total				Note				Total
Public offering price(1)			99.904%			$	499,520,000				99.301%			$	993,010,000
Underwriting discounts			0.650%			$	3,250,000				0.875%			$	8,750,000
Proceeds to Apache, before expenses(1)			99.254%			$	496,270,000				98.426%			$	984,260,000

 

(1)		Plus accrued interest, if any, from January 26, 2007, if settlement occurs after that date.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., against payment in New York, New York on or about January 26, 2007.

 

 

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Banc of America Securities LLC	JPMorgan

 

Co-Managers

BMO Capital Markets

BNP PARIBAS

Deutsche Bank Securities

RBC Capital Markets

RBS Greenwich Capital

Wachovia Securities

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Common Stock

Apache Trust I

Trust Preferred Securities

Apache Finance Australia Pty Ltd

Debt Securities

     By this prospectus, Apache Corporation may from time to time offer common stock and related rights, preferred stock, depositary shares, contracts to purchase shares of common stock, common stock purchase units, senior debt securities and/or subordinated debt securities, each of the Apache Trusts may from time to time offer its trust preferred securities guaranteed by us and each of Apache Finance Australia Pty Ltd and Apache Finance Canada II Corporation may from time to time offer its debt securities guaranteed by us.

     This prospectus provides a general description of the securities Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and Apache Canada may offer. Supplements to this prospectus will describe the specific terms of the securities that Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada actually offer. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.

     Apache Corporation’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange and quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “APA.”

     Before you invest, you should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any information under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

     Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and Apache Canada may sell these securities to or through underwriters, to other purchasers and/or through agents. The accompanying prospectus supplement will specify the names of any underwriters or agents.

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated January 30, 2004.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

      This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and Apache Canada filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total offering price of $1,500,000,000 including the U.S. dollar equivalent of non-U.S. dollar offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and Apache Canada may offer. Each time Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and Apache Canada offer to sell securities, Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

      In this prospectus, “Apache,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Apache Corporation, “Apache Australia” means Apache Finance Australia Pty Ltd and “Apache Canada” means Apache Canada Finance II Corporation. Unless otherwise stated, the dollar amounts contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are presented in U.S. dollars.

2

Table of Contents

OIL AND GAS TERMS

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

      We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are available to the public over the Internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference rooms located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges.

      Our common stock has been listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1969 and the Chicago Stock Exchange since 1960 and quoted on the Nasdaq National Market since 2004. Accordingly, you may inspect the information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, and at the Chicago Stock Exchange, One Financial Place, 440 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605-1070. For more information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, you should call (212) 656-5060.

      The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. Until we sell all of the securities covered by this prospectus, or after the date of this initial registration statement to the date of effectiveness of this registration statement, we incorporate by reference the documents filed by us listed below and any future filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):

3

Table of Contents

      Each of these documents is available from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site and public reference rooms described above. Through our website, http://www.apachecorp.com, you can access electronic copies of documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Access to those electronic filings is available as soon as practical after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may also request a copy of those filings, excluding exhibits, at no cost by writing or telephoning Cheri L. Peper, Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive office, which is:

      There are no separate financial statements of the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia or Apache Canada in this prospectus. We do not believe these financial statements would be helpful because:

      You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. The information on our web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Neither Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia nor Apache Canada has authorized anyone to provide you with different information.

      Neither Apache nor the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia or Apache Canada is making an offer of the securities covered by this prospectus in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any other document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of those documents.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

      This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain statements that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

      These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “believe” or the negative of these terms or similar terminology.

4

Table of Contents

      These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially because of market conditions in our markets or other factors. Moreover, we do not, nor does any other person, assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of those statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus. All of the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference in this prospectus) and similar sections in our subsequent filings that we incorporated by reference in this prospectus, which describe risks and factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in those forward-looking statements.

      Those risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. We cannot predict these new risk factors, nor can we assess the impact, if any, of these new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results.

      Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are not applicable to any of the issuers other than Apache.

APACHE CORPORATION

      Apache Corporation is a Delaware corporation formed in 1954 that, directly or through subsidiaries, explores for, acquires and develops oil and gas reserves and produces natural gas, crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids. In North America, our exploration and production interests are focused on the Gulf of Mexico, the Anadarko Basin, the Permian Basin, the Gulf Coast and the Western Sedimentary Basin of Canada. Outside of North America, we currently have exploration and production interests offshore Western Australia, in and offshore Egypt, in Argentina, and offshore The People’s Republic of China and the UK North Sea, and exploration interests in Poland.

      We hold interests in many of our U.S., Canadian and international properties through operating subsidiaries, such as Apache Canada Ltd., DEK Energy Company — formerly known as DEKALB Energy Company, Apache Energy Limited — formerly known as Hadson Energy Limited, Apache International, Inc. and Apache Overseas, Inc. The properties referred to in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement or in any other document incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be held by our subsidiaries. We treat all operations as one line of business.

APACHE TRUSTS

      We created Apache Trust I and Apache Trust II in 2000, each of which is a Delaware statutory trust, pursuant to trust agreements and the filing of certificates of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. We will execute amended and restated trust agreements for the Apache Trusts, referred to in this prospectus as the “trust agreements,” which will state the terms and conditions of the trust preferred securities and the trust common securities that each Apache Trust issues. We have filed a form of trust agreement as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

      The Apache Trusts exist solely to:

5

Table of Contents

      We, Apache Australia or Apache Canada will hold directly or indirectly all of the trust common securities of each of the Apache Trusts. The trust common securities will represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of each Apache Trust’s total capitalization. The trust preferred securities will represent the remaining percentage of each Apache Trust’s total capitalization. The trust common securities will have terms substantially identical to, and will rank equal in priority of payment with, the trust preferred securities. If, however, we, Apache Australia or Apache Canada, as the case may be, default on the debt securities owned by an Apache Trust, we default on our guarantee of the Apache Australia or Apache Canada debt securities, as the case may be, owned by an Apache Trust, or another event of default under the trust agreement occurs, then, so long as the default continues, cash distributions and liquidation, redemption and other amounts payable or deliverable on the securities of that trust must be paid or delivered to the holders of the trust preferred securities of that trust before the holders of the common securities of that trust.

      The Apache Trusts may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge any of their assets.

      We will guarantee the trust preferred securities as described in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following four trustees will conduct each Apache Trust’s business and affairs:

      Only we, Apache Australia or Apache Canada, as the case may be, as direct or indirect owner of the trust common securities, can remove or replace the administrative trustees. In addition, we, Apache Australia or Apache Canada, as the case may be, can increase or decrease the number of administrative trustees. Also, we, Apache Australia or Apache Canada, as the case may be, as direct or indirect holder of the trust common securities, will generally have the sole right to remove or replace the property and Delaware trustees. If, however, we, Apache Australia or Apache Canada default on the debt securities owned by an Apache Trust, we default on our guarantee of the Apache Australia or Apache Canada debt securities, as the case may be, owned by an Apache Trust, or another event of default under the trust agreement occurs, then, so long as that default is continuing, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities of that trust may remove and replace the property and Delaware trustees for that trust.

      We will pay all fees and expenses related to the Apache Trusts and the offering of the trust preferred securities. We, Apache Australia or Apache Canada will also pay all ongoing costs and expenses of the Apache Trusts, except each trust’s obligations under the trust preferred securities and the trust common securities.

APACHE FINANCE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

      Apache Australia is a proprietary company with limited liability organized in March 2003 under the laws of the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Apache Australia is our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, and Apache Australia issues debt securities guaranteed by us. Apache Australia was established to facilitate financing of and investment in our Australian operations and entities.

      The principal place of business of Apache Australia is 256 St. George’s Terrace, Level 3, Perth, Western Australia 6000; telephone 61-8-9422-7222.

6

Table of Contents

APACHE FINANCE CANADA II CORPORATION

      Apache Canada is an unlimited liability company organized in March 2003 under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Apache Canada is our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, and issues debt securities guaranteed by us. Apache Canada was established to facilitate financing of and investment in our Canadian operations and entities.

      The principal place of business of Apache Canada is 700 — 9th Ave. SW, Suite 1000, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 3V4; telephone 403-261-1200.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES

      Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and our ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends were as follows for the periods indicated in the table below.

      Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and our ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends were computed based on:

      and subtracting:

      Due to the $243.2 million non-cash write-down of the carrying value of our U.S. proved oil and gas properties for the year ended December 31, 1998, our 1998 earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $236.8 million and inadequate to cover combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends by $239.7 million.

7

Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

      Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we, Apache Australia and Apache Canada expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities, Apache Canada debt securities and Apache Australia debt securities, as the case may be, for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

      The precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds. We currently have no plans for specific use of the net proceeds. We will specify the principal purposes for which the net proceeds from the sale of our securities, Apache Canada debt securities or Apache Australia debt securities, as the case may be, will be used in a prospectus supplement at the time of sale.

      Each Apache Trust will use all proceeds from the sale of its trust common securities and its trust preferred securities to purchase debt securities of Apache, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada.

THE SECURITIES APACHE, THE APACHE TRUSTS, APACHE FINANCE

      The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada may offer. The particular terms of the securities offered by any prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement. If indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms summarized below. An applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

      Apache may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

      The Apache Trusts may offer and sell from time to time their trust preferred securities, and each of Apache Australia and Apache Canada may from time to time offer its senior or subordinated debt securities. Each of these securities will be guaranteed by us as described below.

      In this prospectus, “securities” collectively refers to the common stock and related rights, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock purchase contracts, common stock purchase units, senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities of Apache, Apache Australia or Apache Canada, as the case may

8

Table of Contents

      If Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada issue securities at a discount from their original stated principal or liquidation amount, then, for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities issued under this prospectus, Apache, the Apache Trusts, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada will treat the initial offering price of the securities as the total original principal or liquidation amount of the securities.

      This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF APACHE CORPORATION CAPITAL STOCK

      The following descriptions of our common stock and preferred stock, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarize the material terms and provisions of these types of securities. For the complete terms of our common stock and preferred stock, please refer to our charter, bylaws and stockholder rights plan that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this prospectus. The terms of these securities may also be affected by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

      Under our charter, our authorized capital stock consists of 430,000,000 shares of common stock, $.625 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. We will describe the specific terms of any common stock or preferred stock we may offer in a prospectus supplement. If indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any common stock or preferred stock offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

      On December 18, 2003, the holders of Apache common stock approved a proposal to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 430,000,000, $.625 par value per share, from 215,000,000, $1.25 par value per share, in order to effect the two-for-one stock split approved by the board of directors in September 2003. The record date for the stock split was December 31, 2003, and the additional shares were distributed on January 14, 2004.

Common Stock

      As of November 30, 2003, we had approximately 162,096,123 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and 11,653,616 shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to various employee benefit plans, or 324,192,246 shares and 23,307,232 shares, respectively, as adjusted to give effect to the two-for-one stock split. Each outstanding 2.31 shares of common stock (as adjusted to reflect the five percent and ten percent stock dividends declared in 2002 and 2001, respectively, and the two-for-one stock split) currently includes one preferred share purchase right issued under our stockholder rights plan, which is summarized below. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and any shares of common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

      For all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in his or her name on our books. Our common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, subject to the voting rights of Series B preferred stockholders described below and any future holders of our preferred stock, persons who hold more than 50% of the outstanding common stock entitled to elect members of the board of directors can elect all of the directors who are up for election in a particular year.

9

Table of Contents

      If our board of directors declares a dividend, holders of common stock will receive payments from our funds that are legally available to pay dividends. This dividend right, however, is subject to any preferential dividend rights we have granted to Series B preferred stockholders or may grant to future holders of preferred stock.

      If we dissolve, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities and any amounts we may owe to the persons who hold our preferred stock.

      Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights, and they have no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. Our common stock is not subject to redemption by us. Our charter and bylaws do not restrict the ability of a holder of common stock to transfer his or her shares of common stock.

      Delaware law provides that, if we make a distribution to our stockholders other than a distribution of our capital stock either when we are insolvent or when we would be rendered insolvent, then our stockholders would be required to pay back to us the amount of the distribution we made to them, or the portion of the distribution that causes us to become insolvent, as the case may be.

      Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange and quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “APA.”

      The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Wells Fargo Minnesota, National Association.

Preferred Stock

      We have 5,000,000 shares of no par preferred stock authorized, of which 25,000 shares have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 100,000 shares have been designated as 5.68% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock. The remaining shares of preferred stock are undesignated.

      Our charter authorizes our board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the voting rights and dividend rights, dividend rates, liquidation preferences, conversion rights, redemption rights, including sinking fund provisions and redemption prices, and other terms and rights of each series of preferred stock.

      The shares of Series A preferred stock are authorized for issuance pursuant to rights that trade with our outstanding common stock and are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the rights discussed below under the caption “— Stockholder Rights Plan.”

      As of November 30, 2003, we had issued and outstanding 100,000 shares of Series B preferred stock in the form of one million depositary shares, each representing one-tenth (1/10th) of a share of Series B preferred stock. The Series B preferred stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to a sinking fund and is not convertible into our common stock or any other securities. We have the option to redeem the Series B preferred stock at $1,000 per share on or after August 25, 2008. Holders of the depositary shares are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at an annual rate of $5.68 per depositary share (based on $56.80 for each share of Series B preferred stock) when, as and if declared by Apache’s board of directors.

10

Table of Contents

      The Series B preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, which is equivalent to $100 per depositary share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

      The Series B preferred stock ranks prior and superior to our common stock and Series A preferred stock as to payment of dividends and distribution of assets upon our dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

      If dividends are not paid on the Series B preferred stock, cash payments on our common stock and any of our other capital stock that ranks junior to the Series B preferred stock as to dividends are prohibited and payments on any of our other capital stock that ranks equal to the Series B preferred stock as to dividends are restricted.

      Shares of Series B preferred stock generally do not have voting rights. If, however, we fail to pay the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on the Series B preferred stock or another class or series of preferred stock that ranks equally with the Series B preferred stock, then we will increase the size of our board of directors by two members. The holders of the Series B preferred stock and any other class or series of preferred stock ranking equally with the Series B preferred stock voting as a single class together with any other class of preferred stock ranking equally will then have the right to vote for the two additional directors. This voting right would continue until we have paid all past dividends on all preferred stock.

      Without the vote of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock, we may not amend any provision in our charter so as to adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of the Series B preferred stock.

      Without the approval of the holders, voting together as a single class, of 80% of all the shares of Series B preferred stock then outstanding and all shares of any other series of our preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends or upon liquidation we will not:

provided that no such vote will be required for us to take any of these actions to issue, authorize or increase the authorized amount of, or issue or authorize any obligation or security convertible into or evidencing a right to purchase, any stock ranking equally with or junior to the Series B preferred stock.

      Without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Series B preferred stock then outstanding, we will not become a party to any merger, conversion, consolidation or compulsory share exchange unless the terms of that transaction do not provide for a change in the terms of the Series B preferred stock and the Series B preferred stock ranks equally with or prior to any capital stock of the surviving corporation as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up other than prior-ranking Apache stock previously authorized with the consent of holders of the Series B preferred stock.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

      This summary of the undesignated preferred stock discusses terms and conditions that may apply to preferred stock offered under this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of each series of preferred stock actually offered. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms described below.

      The following description, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes all the material terms and provisions of any preferred stock being offered by this prospectus. It does not restate the terms and provisions in their entirety. We urge you to read our charter and any applicable certificate of designation that may be on file because they, and not this description, define the rights of any holders of

11

Table of Contents

      The prospectus supplement for any preferred stock that we actually offer pursuant to this prospectus may include some or all of the following terms:

      Subject to our charter and to any limitations imposed by any then-outstanding preferred stock, we may issue additional series of preferred stock, at any time or from time to time, with such powers, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as the board of directors determines, and without further action of the stockholders, including holders of our then outstanding preferred stock, if any.

Stockholder Rights Plan

      In 1995, our board of directors adopted a stockholder rights plan to replace the former plan adopted in 1986. Under our stockholder rights plan, each of our common stockholders received a dividend of one “preferred stock purchase right” for each 2.31 outstanding shares of common stock (as adjusted to reflect the five percent and ten percent stock dividends declared in 2002 and 2001, respectively, and the two-for-one stock split) that the stockholder owned. We refer to these preferred stock purchase rights as the “rights.” Unless the rights have been previously redeemed, all shares of our common stock are issued with rights. The rights trade automatically with our shares of common stock and become exercisable only under the circumstances described below.

      Since the purpose of the rights is to encourage potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors before attempting a takeover bid and to provide our board of directors with leverage in negotiating on behalf of our stockholders the terms of any proposed takeover, the rights may have anti-

12

Table of Contents

      The following description is a summary of all the material terms of our stockholder rights plan. It does not restate these terms in their entirety. We urge you to read our stockholder rights plan because it, and not this description, defines the terms and provisions of our plan. Our stockholder rights plan is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. You may obtain a copy at no charge by writing to us at the address listed under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information.”

      Until a right is exercised, the holder of a right will not have any rights as a stockholder. When the rights become exercisable, holders of the rights will be able to purchase from us 1/10,000th of a share of our Series A preferred stock, at a purchase price of $100, subject to adjustment, per 1/10,000th of a share.

      In general, the rights will become exercisable upon the earlier of:

      If a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock, each right will then entitle its holder to receive, upon exercise, a number of shares of our common stock that is equal to the exercise price of the right divided by one-half of the market price of our common stock on the date of the occurrence of this event. We refer to this occurrence as a “flip in event.” A flip in event does not occur if there is an offer for all of our outstanding shares of common stock that our board of directors determines is fair to our stockholders and in our best interests.

      If, at any time after a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our common stock, we are acquired in a merger or other transaction in which we do not survive or in which our common stock is changed or exchanged or 50% or more of our assets or earning power is sold or transferred, then each holder of a right will be entitled to receive, upon exercise, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company in the transaction equal to the exercise price of the right divided by one-half of the market price of the acquiring company’s common stock on the date of the occurrence of this event. This exercise right will not occur if the merger or other transaction follows an offer for all of our outstanding shares of common stock that our board of directors determines is fair to our stockholders and in our best interests.

      At any time after a flip in event but prior to a person or group becoming a beneficial owner of more than 50% of the shares of outstanding common stock, our board of directors may exchange the rights by providing to the holder one share of our common stock or 1/10,000th of a share of our Series A preferred stock for each of the holder’s rights.

      At any time before a flip in event, we may redeem the rights at a price of $.01 per right. The rights will expire on the close of business on January 31, 2006, subject to earlier expiration or termination as described in our stockholder rights plan.

13

Table of Contents

      Unless and until the rights become exercisable, they will be transferred with and only with the shares of our common stock.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Provisions of Apache’s Charter and Bylaws and Delaware Law

      Our charter and bylaws include provisions, summarized below, that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover of Apache. Please refer to our charter and bylaws that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this prospectus. You may obtain copies at no charge by writing to us at the address listed under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information.”

      The provisions of Delaware law described below also may have an anti-takeover effect.

      Our board of directors is divided into three classes, with directors serving staggered three-year terms.

      Article Nine provides that our board of directors is divided into three classes, with directors serving staggered three-year terms.

      Article Twelve stipulates that the affirmative vote of 80% of our voting shares is required to adopt any agreement for the merger or consolidation with or into any other corporation which is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting shares. Article Twelve further provides that such 80% approval is necessary to authorize any sale or lease of assets between us and any beneficial holder of 5% or more of our voting shares.

      Article Fourteen contains a “fair price” provision that requires any tender offer made by a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding voting stock in connection with any:

      must provide at least as favorable terms to each holder of common stock other than the stockholder making the tender offer.

      Article Fifteen contains an “anti-greenmail” mechanism which prohibits us from acquiring any voting stock from the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding voting stock, except for acquisitions pursuant to a tender offer to all holders of voting stock on the same price, terms and conditions, acquisitions in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and acquisitions at a price not exceeding the market value per share.

      Article Sixteen prohibits the stockholders from acting by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

      The affirmative vote of 80% of the voting shares is required to amend or adopt any provision inconsistent with Articles Nine, Twelve, Fourteen and Sixteen.

      Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prevents a publicly held corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

14

Table of Contents

      As defined in Section 203, an “interested stockholder” is generally a person owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation. As defined in Section 203, a “business combination” includes mergers, consolidations, stock and assets sales and other transactions with the interested stockholder.

      The provisions of Section 203 may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of Apache.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

      The following description, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes all the material terms and provisions of the depositary shares that we may offer under this prospectus and the related deposit agreements and depositary receipts. Specific deposit agreements and depositary receipts will contain additional important terms and provisions. The forms of the applicable deposit agreement and depositary receipt will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus before we issue any depositary shares.

      This summary of depositary agreements, depositary shares and depositary receipts relates to terms and conditions applicable to these types of securities generally. The particular terms of any series of depositary shares will be summarized in the applicable prospectus supplement. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms summarized below.

General

      We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. If so, we will issue “depositary receipts” for these “depositary shares.” Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction of preferred stock represented by that depositary share, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, if any, and all the limitations of the preferred stock. We will enter into a deposit agreement with a depositary, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

      In order to issue depositary shares, we will issue preferred stock and immediately deposit these shares with the depositary. The depositary will then issue and deliver depositary receipts to the persons who purchase depositary shares. Each whole depositary share issued by the depositary may represent a fraction of a share of preferred stock held by the depositary. The depositary will issue depositary receipts in a form that reflects whole depositary shares, and each depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

      Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, if any, a depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts, which will temporarily entitle the holders to all the rights pertaining to the definitive depositary receipts. We will bear the costs and expenses of promptly preparing definitive depositary receipts and of exchanging the temporary depositary receipts for such definitive depositary receipts.

15

Table of Contents

Dividends and Other Distributions

      The depositary will distribute all cash and non-cash distributions it receives with respect to the underlying preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they hold, subject to any obligations of the record holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay any taxes or other governmental charges. In the case of any non-cash distribution, we may determine that the distribution cannot be made proportionately or the depositary may determine that it may not be feasible to make the distribution. If so, the depositary may, with our approval, adopt a method it deems equitable and practicable to effect the distribution, including the sale, public or private, of the securities or other non-cash property it receives in the distribution at a place and on terms it deems proper. The amounts distributed by the depositary will be reduced by any amount required to be withheld by us or the depositary on account of taxes.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

      If the shares of preferred stock that underlie the depositary shares are redeemable and we redeem the preferred stock, the depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the redemption of the preferred stock it holds. The depositary will redeem the number of depositary shares that represent the amount of underlying preferred stock that we have redeemed. The redemption price for depositary shares will be in proportion to the redemption price per share that we paid for the underlying preferred stock. If we redeem less than all of the depositary shares, the depositary will select which depositary shares to redeem by lot, or some substantially equivalent method.

      After a redemption date is fixed, the depositary shares to be redeemed no longer will be considered outstanding. The rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except for the rights to receive money or other property upon redemption. In order to redeem their depositary shares, holders must surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.

Voting the Preferred Stock

      When the depositary receives notice about any meeting at which the holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of depositary shares related to that preferred stock. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to vote the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with these instructions. If the depositary does not receive instructions from the holders of the depositary shares, the depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock that underlies those depositary shares.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

      If a holder of depositary receipts surrenders those depositary receipts at the corporate office (as defined in the deposit agreement) of the depositary, or any other office as the depositary may designate, and pays any taxes, charges or fees, that holder is entitled to delivery at the corporate office of certificates evidencing the number of shares of preferred stock, but only in whole shares, and any money and other property represented by those depositary receipts. If the depositary receipts we deliver evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to us at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing that excess number of depositary shares. We do not expect that there will be any public trading market for the shares of preferred stock except those represented by the depositary shares.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

      We and the depositary can agree, at any time, to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provisions of the deposit agreement. If, however, an amendment has a material adverse effect on the rights

16

Table of Contents

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary if there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Apache and that distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.

Charges of Depositary

      We will pay all transfer and other taxes and the government charges that relate solely to the depositary arrangements. We will also pay the charges of each depositary, including charges in connection with the initial deposit of the related series of preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, and all withdrawals of shares of the related series of preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares, however, will be required to pay transfer and other taxes and government charges, as provided in the deposit agreement.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

      The depositary may submit notice of resignation at any time or we may remove the depositary at any time. However, no resignation or removal will take effect until we appoint a successor depositary, which must occur within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company that has its principal office in the United States and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Miscellaneous

      If we are required to furnish any information to the holders of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares, the depositary, as the holder of the underlying preferred stock, will forward to the holders of depositary shares any report or information it receives from us.

      Neither the depositary nor we will be liable if its ability to perform its obligations under the deposit agreement is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control. Each of Apache and the depositary will be obligated to use its best judgment and to act in good faith in performing its duties under the deposit agreement. Each of Apache and the depositary will be liable only for gross negligence and willful misconduct in performing its duties under the deposit agreement. They will not be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any legal proceeding with respect to any depositary receipts, depositary shares or preferred stock unless they receive what they, in their sole discretion, determine to be a satisfactory indemnity from one or more holders of the depositary shares. We and the depositary will evaluate any proposed indemnity in order to determine whether the financial protection afforded by the indemnity is sufficient to reduce each party’s risk to a satisfactory and customary level. We and the depositary may rely on the advice of legal counsel or accountants of their choice. They may also rely on information provided by persons they believe, in good faith, to be competent, and on documents they believe, in good faith, to be genuine.

      The applicable prospectus supplement will identify the depositary’s corporate trust office. Unless the prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and if we redeem shares of preferred stock, the depositary will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

17

Table of Contents

Title

      We, each depositary and any agent of Apache or the applicable depositary may treat the registered owner of any depositary share as the absolute owner of the depositary shares for all purposes, including making payment, regardless of whether any payment in respect of the depositary share is overdue and regardless of any notice to the contrary. See “Book-Entry Securities” below.

DESCRIPTION OF APACHE CORPORATION DEBT SECURITIES

      The following description, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes all the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus and the related trust indentures. We will issue the senior debt securities under a senior indenture, dated as of February 15, 1996, as supplemented on November 5, 1996, between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee. We will issue the subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture to be executed in the future by us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are together referred to in this section as the “indentures.” The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this section as the “debt securities.” JPMorgan Chase Bank or any successor, in its capacity as trustee under either or both of the indentures, is referred to as the “trustee” for purposes of this section. The indentures contain and the debt securities, when issued, will contain additional important terms and provisions. The indentures are, and prior to their issuance the debt securities will be, filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

      This summary of the indentures and the debt securities relates to terms and conditions applicable to the debt securities generally. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the particular terms of any series of debt securities that we may offer. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms summarized below.

      Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities we may issue under it, and each provides that additional debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that we authorize from time to time. We also may issue debt securities pursuant to the indentures in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. Those debt securities will not be considered in determining the aggregate amount of securities issued under this prospectus.

      Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.

      Other than as described below under “The Senior Indenture Limits Our Ability to Incur Liens,” “The Senior Indenture Limits Our Ability to Engage in Sale/ Leaseback Transactions” and “We Are Obligated to Purchase Debt Securities upon a Change in Control,” and as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit our ability to incur indebtedness or afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a decline in our credit quality or if we are involved in a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction. Nothing in the indentures or the debt securities will in any way limit the amount of indebtedness or securities that we or our subsidiaries, as defined in the indentures, may incur or issue.

General

      The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify whether they are senior or subordinated debt securities and the amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

18

Table of Contents

      We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of any one series at the same time and, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened for additional issuances of debt securities of that series or to establish additional terms of that series. The debt securities of any one series may not bear interest at the same rate or mature on the same date.

      If any of the debt securities are sold for foreign currencies or foreign currency units or if the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign currency units, we will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to those debt securities and such foreign currencies or foreign currency units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

19

Table of Contents

Conversion and Exchange

      The terms, if any, on which the debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or other securities, whether or not issued by us, property or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be set out in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option, in which the securities, property or cash to be received by the holders of the debt securities would be calculated according to the factors and at such time as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Ranking

      Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness.

      Our obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our senior indebtedness to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture and the terms of those subordinated debt securities, as described below and in any applicable prospectus supplement, which may make deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the subordination terms described below.

      Upon any payment or distribution of our assets or securities to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of Apache, the holders of senior indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution in respect of the subordinated debt securities.

      No payments on account of principal or any premium or interest in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to senior indebtedness or an event of default with respect to any senior indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of its maturity, or if any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to any default.

      “Indebtedness,” for purposes of the subordinated indenture, means:

20

Table of Contents

provided, however, that such term shall not include any amounts included as deferred credits on our financial statements and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

      “Senior indebtedness,” for purposes of the subordinated indenture, means all indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, except our obligations under the subordinated debt securities, indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities or indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities.

      “Indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities,” for purposes of the subordinated indenture, means indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the indebtedness specifically by its terms ranks equally with and not prior to the subordinated debt securities in the right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of Apache. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities.

      “Indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities,” for purposes of the subordinated indenture, means any indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the indebtedness by its terms ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to

in right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of Apache. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities.

      Dividends and other distributions to us from our various subsidiaries may be subject to statutory, contractual and other restrictions (including, without limitation, exchange controls that may be applicable to foreign subsidiaries). The rights of our creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

Interest Rates and Discounts

      The debt securities will earn interest at a fixed or floating rate or rates for the period or periods of time specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will bear interest on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

      We may sell debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. We will describe the federal income tax consequences and the special considerations that apply to any series in the applicable prospectus supplement.

21

Table of Contents

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

      Registered securities of any series that are not global securities will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series and of like aggregate principal amount and tenor in different authorized denominations. In addition, if debt securities of any series are issuable as both registered securities and bearer securities, the holder may choose, upon written request, and subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, to exchange bearer securities and the appropriate related coupons of that series into registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer securities with attached coupons surrendered in exchange for registered securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for interest payment shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to the interest payment date. Interest will not be payable with respect to the registered security issued in exchange for that bearer security. That interest will be payable only to the holder of the coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the indenture. Bearer securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.

      You may present registered securities for registration of transfer, together with a duly executed form of transfer, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for that purpose with respect to any series of debt securities and referred to in the applicable prospectus supplement. This may be done without service charge but upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the applicable indenture. The security registrar or the transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange upon being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We have appointed the trustee as security registrar for each indenture. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents initially designated by us with respect to any series of debt securities in addition to the security registrar, we may at any time rescind the designation of any of those transfer agents or approve a change in the location through which any of those transfer agents acts. If, however, debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series, and if debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in a place of payment for that series located outside of the United States in addition to the security registrar. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

      In the event of any redemption, we will not be required to:

Payment and Paying Agents

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, bearer securities will be payable in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of those paying agents outside the United States that we may designate at various times. We will make interest payments on bearer securities and the attached coupons on any interest payment date only against surrender of the coupon relating to that interest payment date. No payment with respect to any bearer security will be made at any of our offices or agencies in the United States or by check mailed to any U.S. address or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States. If, however, but only if, payment in U.S. dollars of the full amount of principal of, and any premium and interest on, bearer securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars at all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions, then those payments will be made at the office of our paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

22

Table of Contents

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, registered securities will be made at the office of the paying agent or paying agents that we designate at various times. At our option, however, we may make interest payments by check mailed to the address, as it appears in the security register, of the person entitled to the payments. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of any installment of interest on registered securities to the person in whose name that registered security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest.

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, will be designated:

      We will name any paying agents outside the United States and any other paying agents in the United States initially designated by us for the debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts. If, however, debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for that series. If debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, we will be required to maintain:

      If, however, the debt securities of that series are listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States, and if the stock exchange requires it, we will maintain a paying agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States for those debt securities.

      All monies we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, and any premium or interest on, any debt security or coupon that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after becoming due and payable will be repaid to us. After that time, the holder of the debt security or coupon will look only to us for payments out of those repaid amounts.

Global Securities

      The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

      To the extent not described below and under the heading “Book-Entry Securities,” we will describe the terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable

23

Table of Contents

      As long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided under “Book-Entry Securities” or in any applicable prospectus supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

      The laws of some states require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

      Payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depository or any participants on account of beneficial interests of the global security.

      For a description of the depository arrangements for global securities held by The Depository Trust Company, see “Book-Entry Securities.”

The Senior Indenture Limits Our Ability to Incur Liens

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior indenture provides that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may issue, assume or guarantee any notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed that are secured by a mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance — defined in the senior indenture as “liens” — upon any of our property unless we provide that any and all senior debt securities then outstanding shall be secured by a lien equally and ratably with any and all other obligations by the lien. The restrictions on liens will not, however, apply to:

24

Table of Contents

      Notwithstanding the limitations on liens described above, we and any one or more of our subsidiaries may issue, assume or guarantee the following indebtedness secured by liens on assets without regard to the limitations described above: indebtedness in any aggregate principal amount that, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all our other indebtedness and indebtedness of any of our subsidiaries so secured (excluding indebtedness secured by the permitted liens described above), and the aggregate amount of sale/leaseback transaction obligations that would otherwise be subject to the limitations on sale/leaseback transactions described below, does not at the time such indebtedness is incurred exceed 10% of our consolidated net worth as shown on our most recent audited consolidated balance sheet.

      In addition, the following types of transactions, among others, shall not be deemed to create indebtedness secured by liens:

The Senior Indenture Limits Our Ability to Engage in Sale/ Leaseback Transactions

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior indenture provides that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries will enter into any arrangement with any person, other than us or one of our subsidiaries, to lease any property to ourselves or a subsidiary of ours for more than three years. For the restriction to apply, we or one of our subsidiaries must sell or plan to sell the property to the person leasing it to us or our subsidiary or to another person to which funds have been or are to be advanced on the security of the leased property. The limitation does not apply where:

25

Table of Contents

Each Indenture Includes Events of Default

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any one of the following events will constitute an “event of default” under each indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under that indenture:

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, either of the following two events will also constitute an “event of default” under the senior indenture with respect to any senior debt securities:

      If an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series, other than an event of default described in the item above pertaining to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money due has been obtained by the trustee, and subject to applicable law and other provisions of the applicable indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may, under some circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. If an event of default occurs pertaining to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount and accrued interest — or a lesser amount as provided for in the debt

26

Table of Contents

      Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default under an indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under that indenture, the trustee must transmit notice of the default to the holders of the debt securities of that series unless the default has been cured or waived. The trustee may withhold the notice, however, except in the case of a payment default, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or responsible officers of the trustee has in good faith determined that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of that series.

      If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of debt securities of that series by all appropriate judicial proceedings.

      Subject to the duty of the trustee during any default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under an indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities issued under that indenture, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to indemnifying the trustee, and subject to applicable law and other provisions of each indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series issued under that indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series.

We Are Obligated to Purchase Debt Securities Upon a Change in Control

      If a change in control, as defined in each indenture, occurs, we must mail within 15 days a written notice regarding the change in control to the trustee and to every holder of the debt securities of each series issued under that indenture. The notice must also be published at least once in an authorized newspaper, as defined in each indenture, and must state:

      After we give this notice we will be obligated, at the election of each holder, to purchase the applicable debt securities. Under each indenture, a change in control is deemed to have occurred when:

27

Table of Contents

      We will not purchase any debt securities if there has occurred and is continuing an event of default under either indenture, other than default in payment of the purchase price payable for the debt securities upon change in control. In connection with any purchase of debt securities after a change in control, we will comply with all federal and state securities laws, including, specifically, Rule 13e-4, if applicable, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any related Schedule 13E-4 required to be submitted under that rule.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

      We may discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that:

To discharge the obligations with respect to a series of debt securities, we must deposit with the trustee, in trust, an amount of funds in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which those debt securities are payable sufficient to pay the entire amount of principal of, and any premium or interest on, those debt securities to the date of the deposit if those debt securities have become due and payable or to the maturity of the debt securities, as the case may be.

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect

      In the case of discharge of our obligations or legal defeasance we will still retain some obligations in respect of the debt securities, including our obligations:

      After a covenant defeasance, any omission to comply with the obligations or covenants that have been defeased shall not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities.

28

Table of Contents

      To elect either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance we must deposit with the trustee, in trust, an amount, in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which the relevant debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or in government obligations, as defined below, or both, applicable to such debt securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on those debt securities on their scheduled due dates.

      In addition, we can only elect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance if, among other things:

      Each of the indentures deems a foreign currency to be any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States or by any recognized confederation or association of governments.

      Each of the indentures defines government obligations as securities which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers and are:

Government obligations also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any government obligation described above or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with respect to any government obligation held by that custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, as long as, except as required by law, that custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of the depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian with respect to the government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with respect to the government obligation evidenced by the depositary receipt.

29

Table of Contents

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if, after we have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, either:

the indebtedness represented by that debt security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, that debt security as that debt security becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount or other properties so deposited in respect of that debt security into the currency in which that debt security becomes payable as a result of the election or conversion event based on:

      Each indenture defines a “conversion event” as the cessation of use of:

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any debt security that are payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by the government or confederation of issuance shall be made in U.S. dollars.

      If we effect a covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default other than an event of default with respect to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in the foreign currency in which the debt securities are payable, and government obligations on deposit with the trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We would remain liable, however, for payment of the amounts due at the time of acceleration.

      The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.

      Under each indenture, we are required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of our obligations under the indenture and as to any default in such performance. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within five days after occurrence thereof, written notice of any event of default or event that after notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event of default.

Modification and Waiver

      We and the trustee may, without the consent of holders, modify provisions of each indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities and maintaining the qualification of the applicable indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. We and the trustee may modify other provisions

30

Table of Contents

      The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under one of the indentures may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive our compliance with specified restrictive provisions of that indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under one of the indentures may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under that indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except:

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

      We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, consolidate or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety to, any person that is a corporation or limited liability company organized and validly existing under the laws of

31

Table of Contents

Enforcement of Rights by Holders of Trust Preferred Securities

      The following applies only in the event that debt securities are held by an Apache Trust.

      To the extent that any action under any debt securities held by an Apache Trust is entitled to be taken by the holders of at least a specified percentage of those debt securities, and unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the trust preferred securities issued by that Apache Trust may take action if the action is not taken by the property trustee of that Apache Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an event of default under those debt securities has occurred and is continuing and is attributable either to:

and an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable trust agreement, a holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a direct action.

      A “direct action” is a legal proceeding directly against us for enforcement of payment to the holder of trust preferred securities issued by an Apache Trust of the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities held by that trust having a principal amount equal to the liquidation amount of those trust preferred securities held by that holder or for enforcement of any conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be. We may not amend an indenture to remove this right to bring a direct action without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the trust preferred securities outstanding that have an interest in the related debt securities. If the right to bring a direct action is removed, the Apache Trusts may become subject to the reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of trust preferred securities by us in connection with a direct action, we will remain obligated to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the related debt securities, and we will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of those trust preferred securities with respect to payments on the trust preferred securities to the extent of any payments made by us to the holder in any direct action.

      The holders of the trust preferred securities will not be able to exercise directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph, available to the holders of the related debt securities unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable trust agreement. See “Description of Trust Preferred Securities — Events of Default; Notice” below.

DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

      Each Apache Trust will issue under its trust agreement only one series of trust preferred securities, which will represent beneficial interests in that Apache Trust. Each Apache Trust will qualify its trust agreement under the Trust Indenture Act. Each trust agreement is subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of terms and provisions of the trust preferred securities and the trust

32

Table of Contents

      Each Apache Trust will describe the specific terms of the trust preferred securities it is offering in the applicable prospectus supplement, including:

      Each Apache Trust will also describe the material U. S. federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of trust preferred securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

      If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of an Apache Trust may differ from the terms summarized below.

General

      The trust preferred securities of each Apache Trust will rank equally, and payments will be made on the trust preferred securities proportionately, with the trust common securities of each Apache Trust except as described under “— Subordination of Trust Common Securities.” Each Apache Trust will use

33

Table of Contents

      The revenue of an Apache Trust available for distribution to holders of its trust preferred securities will be limited to payments under the related debt securities and any other assets held by that Apache Trust. If we, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, as the case may be, fail to make a required payment in respect of those debt securities or any other assets, that Apache Trust will not have sufficient funds to make the related payments, including distributions, in respect of its trust preferred securities.

Subordination of Trust Common Securities

      Each Apache Trust will pay distributions on, and the applicable redemption price of, and any other amounts payable or property deliverable under, the trust securities it issues equally among its trust preferred securities and its trust common securities based on their respective liquidation amounts; provided, however, that if on any distribution date, redemption date, repayment date or conversion or exchange date, or upon liquidation or an event of default under the debt securities held by that Apache Trust or any other event of default under the trust agreement has occurred and is continuing, that Apache Trust will not pay any distribution on, or applicable redemption or repayment price of, or convert or exchange any of its trust common securities, and will not make any other payment on account of the redemption, repayment, conversion, exchange, liquidation or other acquisition of the trust common securities, unless payment in full in cash of all accumulated distributions on all of the outstanding trust preferred securities of that Apache Trust for all distribution periods terminating on or before the redemption, repayment, conversion, exchange, liquidation or other acquisition, and, in the case of payment of the applicable redemption or repayment price, the full amount of the redemption or repayment price, will have been made or provided for and, in the case of conversion or exchange, that the trust preferred securities have been converted or exchanged in full and other amounts payable have been paid. The property trustee will apply all available funds first to the payment in full in cash of all distributions on, or the applicable redemption price of, the trust preferred securities issued by that Apache Trust then due and payable.

      Until any event of default under the trust agreement for an Apache Trust has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the property trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of the trust preferred securities of that Apache Trust and not on behalf of us, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, as the case may be, as the direct or indirect trust common securities owner, and only the holders of the trust preferred securities issued by that Apache Trust will have the right to direct the property trustee to act on their behalf.

Events of Default; Notice

      The occurrence of an event of default under the debt securities and any other assets held by an Apache Trust will constitute an event of default under the trust agreement for that Apache Trust. Within 90 business days after the occurrence of an event of default actually known to the property trustee, the property trustee will transmit notice of that event of default to the holders of the trust preferred securities of that Apache Trust, the administrative trustees and us, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, as the case may be, as sponsor, unless the event of default shall have been cured or waived.

      For a discussion of the limited circumstances in which holders of trust preferred securities may bring a direct action against us under the debt securities, see “Description Of Apache Corporation Debt

34

Table of Contents

Removal of Trustees

      Unless an event of default under the debt securities held by an Apache Trust has occurred and is continuing, we, as the direct or indirect owner of trust common securities of that Apache Trust, may remove the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees at any time. If an event of default under the debt securities held by an Apache Trust has occurred and is continuing, only the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities of that Apache Trust may remove and replace the property trustee and the Delaware trustee for that Apache Trust. In no event will the holders of the trust preferred securities have the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace the administrative trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in us as the direct or indirect trust common securities owner. No resignation or removal of a property or Delaware trustee, and no appointment of a successor to that trustee, will be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the applicable trust agreement.

Merger or Consolidation of Property or Delaware Trustees

      Any person into which the property trustee or the Delaware trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the property trustee or the Delaware trustee will be a party, or any person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the property trustee or the Delaware trustee, will be the successor of the property trustee or the Delaware trustee under the trust agreement, provided that the person will be otherwise qualified and eligible.

Mergers, Conversions, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of an Apache Trust

      An Apache Trust may not merge with or into, convert into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, to any other person, except as described below or as otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement. An Apache Trust may, at our request, with the consent of the administrative trustees but without the consent of the holders of its trust preferred securities, the Delaware trustee or the property trustee, merge with or into, convert into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any state of the United States; provided, that:

35

Table of Contents

Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement

      Except as provided under “— Mergers, Conversions, Consolidations, Amalgamations or Replacements of an Apache Trust” and “Description of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees — Amendments and Assignment” and as otherwise required by law and the trust agreement or specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holders of trust preferred securities will have no voting rights.

      We, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, as the case may be, the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees may amend from time to time the trust agreement for an Apache Trust, without the consent of the holders of the trust securities of that Apache Trust,

provided, however, that in the case of the first bullet point above, the modification will not adversely affect in any material respect the interests of the holders of the trust securities issued by that Apache Trust.

36

Table of Contents

      Without the consent of each holder of trust securities issued by an Apache Trust, the trust agreement for that Apache Trust may not be amended to:

      So long as the property trustee holds any debt securities for an Apache Trust, the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees for that Apache Trust will not:

without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of all outstanding trust preferred securities of that Apache Trust; provided, however, that where a consent under the applicable indenture would require the consent of each holder of those debt securities affected thereby, the property trustee will not consent without the prior approval of each holder of the trust preferred securities issued by that Apache Trust. The property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees may not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of trust preferred securities except by subsequent vote of the holders. The property trustee will notify each holder of trust preferred securities of any notice of default with respect to the applicable debt securities. In addition to obtaining approvals of holders of trust preferred securities referred to above, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the property trustee, the Delaware trustee and the administrative trustees will obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in these matters to the effect that the applicable Apache Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes on account of such action.

      Any required approval of holders of trust preferred securities may be given at a meeting of the holders convened for this purpose or by written consent without prior notice. The property trustee will cause a notice of any meeting at which holders of trust preferred securities are entitled to vote to be given to each holder of record of trust preferred securities in the manner set forth in the trust agreement.

37

Table of Contents

      Notwithstanding that holders of trust preferred securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances referred to above, any trust preferred securities that are owned by us or any of our affiliates will, for purposes of this vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

Global Trust Preferred Securities

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, trust preferred securities will be represented by one or more global certificates deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, or other depository identified in the prospectus supplement, or a nominee of DTC or other depository, in each case for credit to an account of a participant in DTC or other depository. The identity of the depository and the specific terms of the depository arrangements with respect to the trust preferred securities to be represented by one or more global certificates to the extent not discussed under “Book-Entry Securities” will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depository and the depositary arrangements described with respect to the debt securities will apply to those trust preferred securities as well, except all references to Apache, or the applicable issuer, as the case may be, shall include Apache Trust I and Apache Trust II and all references to the indentures will refer to the applicable trust agreement. See “Description of Apache Corporation Debt Securities — Global Securities,” “Description of Apache Finance Australia Pty Ltd and Apache Canada Finance II Corporation Debt Securities and Apache Corporation — Global Securities” and “Book-Entry Securities.”

Payment and Paying Agent

      Payments in respect of any global certificate representing trust preferred securities will be made to Cede & Co. as nominee of DTC or other applicable depository or its nominee, which will credit the relevant accounts at DTC or other depository on the applicable payment dates, while payments in respect of trust preferred securities in certificated form will be made by check mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as the address will appear on the register. The paying agent will initially be the property trustee and any co-paying agent chosen by the property trustee and acceptable to the administrative trustees and us. The paying agent will be permitted to resign as paying agent upon 30 days prior written notice to the property trustee, the administrative trustees and us. In the event that the property trustee will no longer be the paying agent, the administrative trustees will appoint a successor, which will be a bank or trust company acceptable to the administrative trustees and us, to act as paying agent.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

      The property trustee will act as registrar and transfer agent for the trust preferred securities.

      Registration of transfers of trust preferred securities will be effected without charge by or on behalf of an Apache Trust, upon payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange. An Apache Trust will not be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of its trust preferred securities after they have been converted, exchanged, redeemed, repaid or called for redemption or repayment.

Information Concerning the Property Trustee

      The property trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the trust agreement, will undertake to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in the trust agreement and, during the continuance of that event of default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to the foregoing, the property trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the trust agreement at the request of any holder of the related trust securities unless the holder offers the property trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur thereby.

38

Table of Contents

Miscellaneous

      The administrative trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of and to operate each Apache Trust in such a way that:

      We, Apache Australia or Apache Canada, as the case may be, and the administrative trustees are authorized to take any action, not inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of each Apache Trust or each trust agreement, that the administrative trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable for those purposes, as long as that action does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the related trust securities.

      Holders of trust preferred securities will not have any preemptive or similar rights.

DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES

      We will execute and deliver a guarantee concurrently with the issuance by an Apache Trust of its trust preferred securities for the benefit of the holders from time to time of those trust preferred securities. We will qualify each of the guarantees as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The guarantees will be subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as the independent trustee under the guarantee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act, and will hold the guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities. This summary of the terms and provisions of a guarantee does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of each guarantee, including the definitions of terms, and those made a part of each guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. In addition, since we have included, and the applicable prospectus supplement will include, only a summary of the provisions of the guarantee, you must refer to the guarantee, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of a particular guarantee may differ from the terms discussed below.

General

      We will irrevocably and unconditionally agree to pay in full, to the extent set forth in the guarantee, the guarantee payments to the holders of the related trust preferred securities, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that an Apache Trust may have or assert, other than the defense of payment. The following payments constitute guarantee payments with respect to trust preferred securities and, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of an Apache Trust, will be subject to the applicable guarantee:

39

Table of Contents

      Our obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by us to the holders of the applicable trust preferred securities entitled to those payments or by causing the applicable Apache Trust to pay those amounts to the holders.

      If the trust preferred securities are exchangeable or convertible into other securities, we will also irrevocably agree to cause the applicable Apache Trust to deliver to holders of those trust preferred securities those other securities in accordance with the applicable exchange or conversion provisions.

      We will, through the guarantee, the applicable trust agreement, the related debt securities and our guarantee of the debt securities, if applicable, and the applicable indenture, taken together, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee all of each Apache Trust’s obligations under its trust preferred securities. No single document standing alone or operating in conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes a guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of each Apache Trust’s obligations under its trust preferred securities.

Ranking

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each guarantee will constitute our unsecured obligation and will rank equal to the debt securities, or our guarantee of the debt securities, if applicable, held by the Apache Trust that issued the preferred trust securities covered by the guarantee. Each trust agreement provides that each holder of trust preferred securities, by acceptance of the applicable trust preferred securities, agrees to the terms of the related guarantee, including any subordination provisions.

      The guarantees will not limit the amount of secured or unsecured debt, including indebtedness under the indentures, that may be incurred by us or any of our subsidiaries, including Apache Australia and Apache Canada.

Guarantee of Payment

      Each guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. This means that the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce its rights under a guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity. A guarantee will not be discharged except by payment of the related guarantee payments in full to the extent not paid by the applicable Apache Trust or upon distribution of the debt securities or other assets held by the Apache Trust to the holders of its trust preferred securities.

Amendments and Assignment

      Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect the rights of holders of the related trust preferred securities, in which case no approval will be required, a guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities covered by that guarantee. The manner of obtaining any approval will be as set forth under “Description of Trust Preferred Securities — Voting Rights; Amendment of a Trust Agreement.” All guarantees and agreements contained in a guarantee will bind our successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives and will inure to the benefit of the holders of the related trust preferred securities then outstanding.

40

Table of Contents

Events of Default

      An event of default under a guarantee will occur if we fail to perform any of our payment or other obligations under that guarantee, provided that, except with respect to a default in respect of any guarantee payment or delivery of any securities upon conversion or exchange of the trust securities, we have not cured the default 90 days from the date the guarantee trustee obtains knowledge of the event of default. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities covered by a guarantee have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the guarantee trustee in respect of that guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the guarantee trustee under that guarantee.

      If the guarantee trustee fails to enforce a guarantee, any holder of the related trust preferred securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce its rights under that guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding against the applicable Apache Trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person or entity.

Termination

      A guarantee will terminate upon:

      A guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the related trust preferred securities must restore payment of any sums paid or other property distributed under those trust preferred securities or the related guarantee.

Governing Law

      The guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee

      The guarantee trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of a default by us in performance of a guarantee, will undertake to perform only the duties that are specifically set forth in that guarantee and, during the continuance of that default, must exercise the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to the foregoing, the guarantee trustee will not be under any obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a guarantee at the request of any holder of the related trust preferred securities unless it is offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.

Rights Upon Dissolution

      Unless the debt securities held by an Apache Trust are distributed to holders of the related trust preferred securities, upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution and liquidation of that Apache Trust, after satisfaction of the liabilities of its creditors as required by applicable law, the holders of those trust securities will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by that Apache Trust, the liquidation distribution in cash. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of Apache, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, as the case may be, the property trustee, as holder of the debt securities, would be a creditor of Apache, Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, as the case may be.

41

Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND UNITS

      We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts entitling or obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time the contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the contracts. The common stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, which are referred to in this prospectus as “common stock purchase units,” consisting of a common stock purchase contract and, as security for the holder’s obligations to purchase the common stock under the contracts, the following:

      The common stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the common stock purchase units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The common stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner, and in some circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid common stock purchase contracts, which are referred to as “prepaid securities,” upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original contract.

      The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any common stock purchase contracts or units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such contracts or units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued.

DESCRIPTION OF APACHE FINANCE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD AND APACHE CANADA FINANCE II CORPORATION DEBT SECURITIES AND APACHE GUARANTEE

      The following description, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes all the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that Apache Australia and/or Apache Canada, each of which we refer to in this section as the “applicable issuer,” and the guarantee we may offer under this prospectus and the related trust indentures.

      The applicable issuer will issue senior debt securities, and we will issue our guarantee, under a senior indenture to be executed in the future by us, as guarantor, the applicable issuer and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. The senior indentures are together referred to in this section as the “senior indentures.” The senior debt securities of Apache Australia and Apache Canada are together referred to in this section as the “senior debt securities.”

      The applicable issuer will issue the subordinated debt securities, and we will issue our guarantee, under a subordinated indenture to be executed in the future by us, as guarantor, the applicable issuer and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. The subordinated indentures are together referred to in this section as the “subordinated indentures.” The subordinated debt securities of Apache Australia and Apache Canada are together referred to in this section as the “subordinated debt securities.”

42

Table of Contents

      The senior indentures and the subordinated indentures are together referred to in this section as the “indentures,” and the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this section as the “debt securities.” The indentures contain and the debt securities, when issued, will contain additional important terms and provisions. JPMorgan Chase Bank or any successor, in its capacity as trustee under any or all of the indentures, is referred to as the “trustee” for purposes of this section. A form of each indenture is, and prior to their issuance, the debt securities will be, filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

      This summary of the indentures and the debt securities relates to terms and conditions applicable to the debt securities generally. The particular terms of any series of debt securities will be summarized in the applicable prospectus supplement. If indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any series may differ from the terms summarized below.

      None of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities the applicable issuer may issue under it, and each provides that additional debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that we and the applicable issuer authorize from time to time. Debt securities may also be issued pursuant to the indentures in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Those debt securities will not be considered in determining the aggregate amount of securities issued under this prospectus.

      Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.

      Other than as described below under “The Senior Indentures Limit Our and the Applicable Issuer’s Ability to Incur Liens,” “The Senior Indentures Limit Our and the Applicable Issuer’s Ability to Engage in Sale/ Leaseback Transactions” and “The Applicable Issuer is Obligated to Purchase Debt Securities upon a Change in Control,” and as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures do not limit our ability to incur indebtedness or afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a decline in our credit quality or if we are involved in a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction. Nothing in the indentures or the debt securities will in any way limit the amount of indebtedness or securities that we, the applicable issuer or our other subsidiaries, as defined in the indentures, may incur or issue.

General

      The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the applicable issuer and whether they are senior or subordinated debt securities and the amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

43

Table of Contents

      The applicable issuer is not obligated to issue all debt securities of any one series at the same time and, unless the applicable issuer specifies otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of debt securities may be reopened for additional issuances of debt securities of that series or to establish additional terms of that series. The debt securities of any one series may not bear interest at the same rate or mature on the same date.

      If any of the debt securities are sold for foreign currencies or foreign currency units or if the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign currency units, we will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to those debt securities and such foreign currencies or foreign currency units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Guarantees

      We will irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee to each holder of a debt security issued by the applicable issuer and authenticated and delivered by the trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt security, when and as it becomes due and payable,

44

Table of Contents

Conversion and Exchange

      The terms, if any, on which the debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or other securities, whether or not issued by us or the applicable issuer, property or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be set out in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange, either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option or the option of the applicable issuer, in which the securities, property or cash to be received by the holders of the debt securities would be calculated according to the factors and at such time as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Ranking

      Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the applicable issuer’s obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, its senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of the applicable issuer’s other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness.

      The applicable issuer’s obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of that issuer’s senior indebtedness to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture and the terms of those subordinated debt securities, as described below and in any applicable prospectus supplement, which may make deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the subordination terms described below.

      Upon any payment or distribution of the applicable issuer’s assets or securities to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of the applicable issuer, the holders of senior indebtedness of the applicable issuer will first be entitled to receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment or distribution in respect of the subordinated debt securities.

      No payments on account of principal or any premium or interest in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be made if there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to senior indebtedness or an event of default with respect to any senior indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of its maturity, or if any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to any default.

      “Indebtedness” of the applicable issuer, for purposes of each subordinated indenture, means:

45

Table of Contents

provided, however, that such term shall not include any amounts included as deferred credits on the financial statements of Apache and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

      “Senior indebtedness” of the applicable issuer, for purposes of each subordinated indenture, means all indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, except the applicable issuer’s obligation under the subordinated debt securities, indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities or indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities.

      “Indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities” of the applicable issuer, for purposes of each subordinated indenture, means indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the indebtedness specifically by its terms ranks equally with and not prior to the subordinated debt securities in the right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the applicable issuer. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking equally with the subordinated debt securities.

      “Indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities” of the applicable issuer, for purposes of each subordinated indenture, means any indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the indebtedness by its terms ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to

in right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the applicable issuer. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking junior to the subordinated debt securities.

46

Table of Contents

      Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement,

      Dividends and other distributions to us from our various subsidiaries may be subject to statutory, contractual and other restrictions (including, without limitation, exchange controls that may be applicable to foreign subsidiaries). The rights of our creditors to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon that subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary.

      The claims of holders under the guarantees will be effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors of our subsidiaries other than, in the case of the debt securities, the applicable issuer. The indentures do not restrict the amount of indebtedness that we, the applicable issuers or our other subsidiaries may incur.

      Our guarantee of the subordinated debt securities of each series will, to the extent set forth in the applicable subordinated indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of the Apache senior indebtedness with respect to such series. Upon any payment or distribution of our assets or securities to creditors upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings of Apache, all amounts due upon all Apache senior indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series of the applicable issuer will first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series are entitled to receive or retain any payment from us on account of principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, the subordinated debt securities of such series, and to that end the holders of such Apache senior indebtedness shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution by us of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by us by reason of the payment of any of our other indebtedness being subordinated to the payment of the subordinated debt securities of such series, which may be payable or deliverable by us in respect of the subordinated debt securities of such series upon any such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization or in any such bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding.

      Because of such subordination, in the event of our liquidation or insolvency, holders of Apache senior indebtedness with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any series of the applicable issuer and holders of other obligations of ours that are not subordinated to such senior indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities of such series of the applicable issuer.

      No payments on account of principal or any premium or interest in respect of the subordinated debt securities of the applicable issuer may be made by Apache if there has occurred and is continuing a default in any payment with respect to Apache senior indebtedness or an event of default with respect to any Apache senior indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of its maturity, or if any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to any default.

      “Apache indebtedness,” for purposes of the subordinated indenture of the applicable issuer, has the same meaning as “indebtedness” for purposes of the Apache subordinated indenture, as described above under “Description of Apache Corporation Debt Securities — Ranking — Subordinated Debt Securities.”

47

Table of Contents

      “Apache senior indebtedness” means, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any particular series of the applicable issuer, all Apache indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the applicable subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, except Apache’s obligations under the guarantee in respect of the subordinated debt securities, Apache indebtedness ranking equally with the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities or Apache indebtedness ranking junior to the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities.

      “Apache indebtedness ranking equally with the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities” means, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any particular series of the applicable issuer, Apache indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the applicable subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the Apache indebtedness specifically by its terms ranks equally with and not prior to the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities in the right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of Apache. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking equally with the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking equally with the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities.

      “Apache indebtedness ranking junior to the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities” means, with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any particular series of the applicable issuer, any Apache indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the applicable subordinated indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, to the extent the indebtedness by its terms ranks junior to and not equally with or prior to

in right of payment upon the happening of the dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of Apache. The securing of any indebtedness otherwise constituting indebtedness ranking junior to the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities will not prevent the indebtedness from constituting indebtedness ranking junior to the Apache guarantee of the subordinated debt securities.

Interest Rates and Discounts

      The debt securities will earn interest at a fixed or floating rate or rates for the period or periods of time specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we and the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will bear interest on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

      The applicable issuer may sell debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. We will describe the federal income tax consequences and the special considerations that apply to any series in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

      Registered securities of any series that are not global securities will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series and of like aggregate principal amount and tenor in different authorized denominations. In addition, if debt securities of any series are issuable as both registered securities and bearer securities, the holder may choose, upon written request, and subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, to exchange bearer securities and the appropriate related coupons of that series into registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Bearer securities with attached coupons surrendered in exchange for registered securities between a regular record date or a special record date and the relevant date for interest payment shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to the interest payment date. Interest will not be payable with respect to the registered security issued in exchange for that bearer security. That interest will be

48

Table of Contents

      You may present registered securities for registration of transfer, together with a duly executed form of transfer, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the applicable issuer for that purpose with respect to any series of debt securities and referred to in the applicable prospectus supplement. This may be done without service charge but upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the applicable indenture. The security registrar or the transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange upon being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The applicable issuer has appointed the trustee as security registrar for each indenture. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents initially designated by the applicable issuer with respect to any series of debt securities in addition to the security registrar, the applicable issuer may at any time rescind the designation of any of those transfer agents or approve a change in the location through which any of those transfer agents acts. If, however, debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, the applicable issuer will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for that series, and if debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, the applicable issuer will be required to maintain a transfer agent in a place of payment for that series located outside of the United States in addition to the security registrar. The applicable issuer may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

      In the event of any redemption, the applicable issuer will not be required to:

Payment and Paying Agents

      Unless the applicable issuer specifies otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, bearer securities will be payable in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations, at the offices of those paying agents outside the United States that we or the applicable issuer may designate at various times. The applicable issuer will make interest payments on bearer securities and the attached coupons on any interest payment date only against surrender of the coupon relating to that interest payment date. No payment with respect to any bearer security will be made at any of our or the applicable issuer’s offices or agencies in the United States or by check mailed to any U.S. address or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States. If, however, but only if, payment in U.S. dollars of the full amount of principal of, and any premium and interest on, bearer securities denominated and payable in U.S. dollars at all offices or agencies outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions, then those payments will be made at the office of our and the applicable issuer’s paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

      Unless we or the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, registered securities will be made at the office of the paying agent or paying agents that we designate at various times. At the applicable issuer’s option, however, it may make interest payments by check mailed to the address, as it appears in the security register, of the person entitled to the payments. Unless we and the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the applicable issuer will make payment of any installment of interest on registered securities to the person in whose name that registered security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest.

49

Table of Contents

      Unless we and the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, will be designated:

      The applicable issuer will name any paying agents outside the United States and any other paying agents in the United States initially designated by us for the debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable issuer may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts. If, however, debt securities of a series are issuable solely as registered securities, the applicable issuer will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for that series. If debt securities of a series are issuable as bearer securities, the applicable issuer will be required to maintain:

      If, however, the debt securities of that series are listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange located outside the United States, and if the stock exchange requires it, the applicable issuer will maintain a paying agent in London or Luxembourg or any other required city located outside the United States for those debt securities.

      All monies the applicable issuer pays to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, and any premium or interest on, any debt security or coupon that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after becoming due and payable will be repaid to the applicable issuer or the guarantor, as the case may be. After that time, the holder of the debt security or coupon will look only to the applicable issuer or the guarantor, as the case may be, for payments out of those repaid amounts.

Global Securities

      The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that the applicable issuer will deposit with a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

      To the extent not described below and under the heading “Book-Entry Securities,” the applicable issuer will describe the terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable issuer anticipates that the following provisions will generally apply to depository arrangements.

      As long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities

50

Table of Contents

      The laws of some states require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

      Payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made to the depository or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither the applicable issuer, the trustee, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depository or any participants on account of beneficial interests of the global security.

      For a description of the depository arrangements for global securities held by The Depository Trust Company, see “Book-Entry Securities.”

The Senior Indentures Limit Our and the Applicable Issuer’s Ability to Incur Liens

      Unless the applicable issuer specifies otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior indentures provide that none of us, the applicable issuer or any of our other subsidiaries may issue, assume or guarantee any notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed that are secured by a mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance — defined in each senior indenture as “liens” — upon any of its property unless we provide that any and all senior debt securities then outstanding shall be secured by a lien equally and ratably with any and all other obligations secured by the lien. The restrictions on liens will not, however, apply to:

51

Table of Contents

      Notwithstanding the limitations on liens described above, we and any one or more or our subsidiaries may issue, assume or guarantee the following indebtedness secured by liens on assets without regard to the limitations described above: indebtedness in any aggregate principal amount that, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all our other indebtedness and indebtedness of any of our subsidiaries so secured (excluding indebtedness secured by the permitted liens described above), and the aggregate amount of sale/leaseback transaction obligations that would otherwise be subject to the limitations on sale/leaseback transactions described below, does not at the time such indebtedness is incurred exceed 10% of our consolidated net worth as shown on our most recent audited consolidated balance sheet.

      In addition, the following types of transactions, among others, shall not be deemed to create indebtedness secured by liens:

The Senior Indentures Limit Our and the Applicable Issuer’s Ability to Engage in Sale/ Leaseback Transactions

      Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the senior indentures provide that neither we, the applicable issuer nor any of our other subsidiaries will enter into any arrangement with any person, other than us or one of our subsidiaries, to lease any property to ourselves or a subsidiary of ours for more than three years. For the restriction to apply, we or one of our subsidiaries must sell or plan to sell the property to the person leasing it to us or our subsidiary or to another person to which funds have been or are to be advanced on the security of the leased property. The limitation does not apply where:

52

Table of Contents

Each Indenture Includes Events of Default

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any one of the following events will constitute an “event of default” under each indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under that indenture:

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, either of the following two events will also constitute an event of default under the applicable senior indenture with respect to any senior debt securities of the applicable issuer:

      If an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series, other than an event of default described in the item above pertaining to events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money due has been obtained by the trustee, and subject to applicable law and other provisions of the applicable indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may, under some circumstances, rescind and annul

53

Table of Contents

      Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default under an indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under that indenture, the trustee must transmit notice of the default to the holders of the debt securities of that series unless the default has been cured or waived. The trustee may withhold the notice, however, except in the case of a payment default, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or responsible officers of the trustee has in good faith determined that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of that series.

      If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of debt securities of that series by all appropriate judicial proceedings.

      Subject to the duty of the trustee during any default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under an indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities issued under that indenture, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to indemnifying the trustee, and subject to applicable law and other provisions of each indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series issued under that indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series.

The Applicable Issuer is Obligated to Purchase Debt Securities Upon a Change in Control

      If a change in control, as defined in each indenture, occurs, the applicable issuer must mail within 15 days a written notice regarding the change in control to the trustee and to every holder of the debt securities of each series issued under that indenture. The notice must also be published at least once in an authorized newspaper, as defined in each indenture, and must state:

54

Table of Contents

      After giving this notice the applicable issuer will be obligated, at the election of each holder, to purchase the applicable debt securities. Under each indenture, a change in control is deemed to have occurred when:

      The applicable issuer will not purchase any debt securities if there has occurred and is continuing an event of default under either indenture, other than default in payment of the purchase price payable for the debt securities upon change in control. In connection with any purchase of debt securities after a change in control, we will comply with all federal and state securities laws, including, specifically, Rule 13e-4, if applicable, under the Exchange Act, and any related Schedule 13E-4 required to be submitted under that rule.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

      We or the applicable issuer may discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that:

      To discharge the obligations with respect to a series of debt securities, we or the applicable issuer must deposit with the trustee, in trust, an amount of funds in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which those debt securities are payable sufficient to pay the entire amount of principal of, and any premium or interest and any additional amounts on, those debt securities to the date of the deposit if those debt securities have become due and payable or to the maturity of the debt securities, as the case may be.

      Unless we or the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we or the applicable issuer may elect

55

Table of Contents

      In the case of legal defeasance we and the applicable issuer will still retain some obligations in respect of the debt securities, including our obligations:

      After a covenant defeasance, any omission to comply with the obligations or covenants that have been defeased shall not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities.

      To elect either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance we or the applicable issuer must deposit with the trustee, in trust, an amount, in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which the relevant debt securities are payable at stated maturity, or in government obligations, as defined below, or both, applicable to such debt securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on those debt securities on their scheduled due dates.

      In addition, we or the applicable issuer can only elect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance if, among other things:

      Each of the indentures deems a foreign currency to be any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States or by any recognized confederation or association of governments.

      Each of the indentures defines government obligations as securities which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers and are:

56

Table of Contents

Government obligations also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any government obligation described above or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with respect to any government obligation held by that custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, as long as, except as required by law, that custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of the depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian with respect to the government obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with respect to the government obligation evidenced by the depositary receipt.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if, after we or the applicable issuer have deposited funds and/or government obligations to effect legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to debt securities of any series, either:

the indebtedness represented by that debt security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, that debt security as that debt security becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount or other properties so deposited in respect of that debt security into the currency in which that debt security becomes payable as a result of the election or conversion event based on:

      Each indenture defines a “conversion event” as the cessation of use of:

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any debt security that are payable in a foreign currency that ceases to be used by the government or confederation of issuance shall be made in U.S. dollars.

      If we or the applicable issuer effect a covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default other than an event of default with respect to which there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in the foreign currency in which the debt securities are payable, and government obligations on deposit with the trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from the event of default. We and the applicable issuer would remain liable, however, for payment of the amounts due at the time of acceleration.

      The applicable prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the debt securities of or within a particular series.

57

Table of Contents

      Under each indenture, we and the applicable issuer are required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of our obligations under such indenture and as to any default in such performance. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within five days after occurrence thereof, written notice of any event of default or event that after notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event of default.

Modification and Waiver

      We, the applicable issuer and the trustee may, without the consent of holders, modify provisions of each indenture for specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities and maintaining the qualification of the applicable indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. We, the applicable issuer and the trustee may modify other provisions of each indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series issued under the indenture affected by the modification. The provisions of the indenture, however, may not be modified without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected thereby if the modification would:

      The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, may waive our or the applicable issuer’s compliance with specified restrictive provisions of that indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under the indenture may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under that indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except:

58

Table of Contents

Assumption of the Obligations under the Debt Securities by Apache

      Under each indenture, we may, at our option, assume the applicable issuer’s obligations under the debt securities if:

      If we assume the applicable issuer’s obligations, as described above, we will be substituted for the applicable issuer for all purposes regarding the debt securities so assumed as if we had been the original issuer of the securities.

Assignment to Another Subsidiary

      Under each indenture, the applicable issuer may assign its obligations under any series of debt securities to any of our other subsidiaries and the new subsidiary will be treated, for all purposes, as the applicable issuer’s successor with respect to the series of debt securities assigned, provided that the conditions described under “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” below are satisfied.

Payment of Additional Amounts

      Unless we and the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the applicable issuer must make all payments of, or in respect of, principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities without withholding or deduction for any taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of any Australian or Canadian taxing authorities, as the case may be. If the taxing authorities nonetheless require the applicable issuer to withhold taxes, the applicable issuer must pay as additional interest an amount that will result, after deducting the taxes, in the payment to the holder of the debt securities of the amount that would have been paid if no withholding was required. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the applicable issuer is not required to pay this additional interest for or on account of:

59

Table of Contents

      The issuer also does not have to pay additional interest with respect to any payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on the debt security to any holder that is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of the payment to the extent the payment would be required by the laws of Australia or Canada, as applicable, to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to a fiduciary or a member of the partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to the additional interest if it held the debt security.

      Any amounts paid by us, as guarantor, under the applicable indenture must be paid without withholding or deduction for any taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of any U.S. taxing authority. If a U.S. taxing authority nonetheless requires us to withhold taxes, we must pay an additional amount so that the net amount paid to the holder, after deducting the taxes, is not less than the amount then due and payable on the debt securities. We are not required to pay this additional amount to any holder of a debt security who is:

      Where this prospectus mentions, in any context, the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, the debt securities of any series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of the debt securities, this amount shall be deemed to include the payment of additional amounts provided for in the applicable indenture to the extent that the additional amounts are, were or would be payable under such applicable indenture.

Redemption for Taxation Reasons

      Unless we and the applicable issuer specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if Australian or Canadian taxing authorities, as the case may be, change or amend their laws, regulations or published tax rulings or the official administration, application or interpretation of their laws, regulations or published tax rulings either generally or in relation to the debt securities, and the applicable issuer determines that:

60

Table of Contents

      it may, at its option, redeem all, but not less than all, of the debt securities of any series in respect of which any additional amounts would be so payable at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice as provided in the indenture. Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the redemption price will be equal to 100 percent of the principal amount of the debt securities plus accrued interest to the date of redemption, except that any debt securities that are discounted debt securities may be redeemed at the redemption price specified in the debt securities’ terms, provided that:

If

then

then the applicable issuer or its successor may redeem all, but not less than all, of the debt securities of any series in respect of which any additional amounts would be so payable at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice as provided in the indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of the principal amount of the debt securities plus accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, except that any debt securities that are discounted debt securities may be redeemed at the price specified in the debt securities’ terms. No notice of redemption may be given earlier than 60 days before the earliest date on which a successor must pay any additional amounts if a payment was due in respect of the debt securities. Also, at the time any redemption notice is given, the successor’s obligation to pay any additional amounts must remain in effect.

61

Table of Contents

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

      We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, consolidate or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any person that is a corporation or limited liability company organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction. We may also permit any of those persons to consolidate with or merge into us or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us, as long as:

      The applicable issuer may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, consolidate or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person that is a corporation, partnership, joint-stock company or limited liability company or permit any such person to consolidate with or merge into or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us or the applicable issuer, as long as the person assumes the applicable issuer’s obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture, and immediately after the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, under the indenture has occurred.

      Also, the successor person to us or the applicable issuer must expressly agree in a supplemental indenture: