Why it matters:
Occidental Petroleum dramatically increased its lobbying efforts in Q4 2024, with internal expenditures jumping 159% from the previous quarter to $3.86 million, while maintaining relationships with five external firms for specialized advocacy.
By the numbers:
- $4.185 million in total lobbying spend (Q4 2024)
- 93% of budget allocated to in-house lobbying team
- 5 external firms retained for specialized issues
The big picture:
Occidental’s lobbying strategy reflects its dual identity as both a traditional oil producer and a company aggressively positioning itself in the carbon management space, with special attention to carbon capture policy.
Lobbying priorities include:
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies
- Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using CO2
- 45Q tax credit implementation
- Federal lands oil and gas leasing
- Permitting reform legislation
- Environmental regulations including methane emissions
- Maritime shipping and Jones Act compliance
The influence team combines deep institutional knowledge with recent legislative experience:
- Ian M. Davis, with lobbying activity for Occidental dating back to 1999, provides historical continuity
- Kaitlyn Marie Farr brings insider experience from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (2021-2022) and House Natural Resources Committee (2017-2018)
- Amy Travieso Loveng contributes industry-wide perspective from her previous role at the American Petroleum Institute
External firms add specialized expertise:
- Holland & Knight LLP ($110,000): Energy development, climate change, federal lands
- Miller Strategies LLC ($80,000): 45Q tax credit, hydraulic fracturing, ARBAN legislation
- Navigators Global LLC ($70,000): Energy resources, taxation, maritime vessels
- Burton Strategy Group ($45,000): 45Q tax credit, EPA regulation, Class VI wells
- GTB Partners LLC ($20,000): Passaic River Superfund site cleanup
Between the lines: The significant surge in lobbying investment suggests Occidental sees critical opportunities and risks in the current policy landscape as it navigates the energy transition.
What to watch: How Occidental’s lobbying efforts shape the implementation of the 45Q tax credit and permitting reforms crucial for its carbon capture ambitions.